Title: Rememories – Pt. 9

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Emergency! is owned by Universal and Mark VII Productions. I make no profit from my imagination—only a personal joy and peace.

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Johnny had called the hospital before they set out on their hike. He talked with Dr. Brackett to let him know that he had gotten a good night's sleep and ate breakfast. He didn't tell him that it was just an egg and a cup of coffee. He also talked to Dr. Early who shared that there had been no change in Greg's condition. It looked like the family was going to make a decision to disconnect the vent later that day.

Johnny looked up through the trees as they approached the spot they would camp and thought to himself, "I guess that means another funeral soon." Sadness marred his features as he was shaken from his reverie with another scream from Jenny.

"What, what is it, Jen. What's wrong?" He pulled her to him and looked her up and down for injury or harm. He was still looking when she told him.

"Look, Uncle Johnny. Do you think that's why we heard the gun go off earlier?" Jenny asked sadly as she pointed at the dead carcass lying on the ground. Johnny stood to go look at the corpse.

"Who would do this?" He thought to himself before answering Jenny. "No, Jenny, this animal has been dead for a long time. It's a wolf. I haven't seen one around in a few months. But, we can still hear 'em at night. Abby likes to listen to them and answer 'em back every now and then. I'd say those puppies she's watchin' after now might have a wolf for a daddy." He reasoned as he threw off his pack and attempted to cover the animal with dirt and vegetation.

"Why would someone do that?" Jenny cried.

"I don't know, Jen. Someone killin' for the fun of it, I guess. But, I didn't think this was happening out here. This is where Bailey's property and mine meet…there shouldn't be anyone out here 'cept us." He glanced around as he finished with the make-shift burial. He grabbed his pack and went back to the little girl.

"Jen, if you wanna go back, we can. That is not a very nice thing to see and if you're scared, we can go back to the house and just camp out on the living room floor." Johnny offered. He was certain the animal had been dead for days and did not think there was anything to fear from whoever killed it. "They're long gone by now." Johnny thought as he awaited Jenny's answer.

"We're almost there, aren't we?" She asked, timidly. He could tell she was frightened, but wanted to press onward.

"Yes, we are. But, it's up to you, Peanut." Johnny coaxed.

Jenny sighed deeply as she looked at the mound that was the carcass. She shook her head determinably and said, "No, I don't want to go back. We are here to make some new rememories for you and that is what we'll do." She said as she marched ahead of him on the trail.

"You mean, memories, Jen. M-e-m-o-r-i-e-s." He had corrected her several times the night before their trip and she still said the word incorrectly.

"That's what I said." The girl argued. Johnny shrugged his shoulders. As he watched her forge on ahead of him, he thought of how she was growing up and getting older.

"Who am I to argue with a woman?" He mumbled and moved on up the path. His thoughts of Greg were pushed aside for the time being.

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At home JoAnne was enjoying her day without any children or husband. She had cleaned the house from top to bottom; something she actually enjoyed doing. And, she sat now marveling at how it had stayed clean for the entire afternoon. No children to track in dirt. No husband to drop his clothes on the floor. No Johnny to eat and leave crumbs behind. She was enjoying the clean house…but, missed them all terribly. She wondered how Chris and Roy were getting along on their fishing trip and how Johnny and Jenny were doing camping. She decided she would distract herself by taking a long, hot bath and reading a book.

"After all," She muttered aloud, "They will all be back tomorrow afternoon."

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Chris and Roy cleaned and grilled two large bass that they caught. They had also caught six smaller trout and they were saving those for breakfast the next day. "Mmmm…Dad, that was good." Chris said as he wiped his mouth on the back of his sleeve. Roy grimaced at the act, knowing his wife would abhor the manners their child just displayed, but they were camping after all.

As Roy parroted his son's gesture, he agreed. "Yes, it was mighty fine. What do you want to with the rest of the day Chris? More fishin'? We could always take some home with us and maybe, give some to Johnny, too." Chris agreed with the thought and as they prepared their gear for another trip to the water, Chris paused a moment.

"What's wrong, Sport?" Roy asked as he noticed Chris' hesitation. Chris went practically white at Roy's expression.

"Why'd you call me Sport? Uncle Johnny is the one who always calls me that?" Chris seemed almost frightened as Roy tried to find out why.

"I call you that, too, Chris, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost." Roy put a hand on his son's wrist and began to time out his pulse. His heart was racing.

"I dunno, Dad. I just have a bad feeling all the sudden. Like something's not right. I didn't know what it was and then you called me 'Sport' like Uncle Johnny does…it feels like something's wrong with Uncle Johnny, Dad." Chris sat down as Roy coaxed and continued to monitor Chris' respirations.

"Just settle down, Son. I'm sure Johnny and your sister are fine." Roy assured the boy. "You're probly just feeling a little upset over what happened the other day when Johnny said he didn't feel like goin' fishin' just yet. But, now he's out camping with Jen." Roy suggested. "You need to calm your breathing. Take a couple deep breaths." Chris did as his Father said. "Okay now?" Roy asked as he determined his Son was calming down.

"Yeah. I don't know, Dad… maybe I am feelin' upset. But, I'm not mad about him goin' with Jen, Dad." The boy explained. "I guess maybe I'm still worried about 'im. I've never seen Uncle Johnny like this, Dad. Have you?"

"Johnny feels things a bit 'deeper' than other people do. It will take some time for him to get over this, but he will. Do you understand what I'm saying, Son?" Chris nodded at his Father. He got up from the stump and collected the things again and started walking to the water. "I wish it was that easy to get Johnny to understand." Roy muttered as he followed behind his Son. He fleetingly wondered how Jenny and Johnny were doing on their camping trip.

TBC