Chapter 20

The next court dates were for two of Mr. Bunker's boys. They were tried separately but on the same day making for a very long day for little Jennifer. Her cast was starting to itch horrendously and the day was hot. Even with the air-conditioning in the court house Jennifer was miserable. It was more than JoAnne could do to keep the scarf around Jenny's shoulders in an attempt to hide the 'Super Sister' design across her casted chest.

Barney had managed to use the surveillance camera footage to prevent the need for either of the children to testify but they still had to be there.

As they sat as a family Roy had managed to bring some comic books for the kids to read still he was lifting Jennifer on his lap and setting her down again almost constantly and letting her lean against him and rub up and down trying to get her cast to do some of the itching.

The gathered crowd was much smaller in the individual trials for the boys and during the second of the trials Roy found himself focusing on one person in the back that had been at the first trial but had not been called on to testify.

In both cases the boys were sentenced to a counseling group home away from their parents and the parents were also ordered to get some counseling. One boy seemed slightly sorry for what he had done the other was still mad at the world and loudly declared he had been wronged and that life wasn't fare.

Roy worried his children would feel the boys had gotten off easy but he felt the punishment was appropriate. The boys were only doing what they had been taught and needed to be taught a better way.

Fortunately the next day Jennifer's casts were removed and replaced with smaller ones. The cast for her shoulder and caller bone was still across her chest and down the one arm but it stopped before her elbow this time allowing much more motion. The cast on her other arm immobilized the wrist but only went up to her elbow allowing her to be able to bend both elbows. She could now feed herself and go to the potty by herself but most of all they scrubbed the dead skin off and rubbed some lotion in before they put the new casts on and the itching stopped at least for a while.

JoAnne was thrilled that the 'Super Sister' logo was now gone but much to her dismay it was redone, bolder and in purple and orange, before bedtime.

Jenny was able to return to school but still had an aid to help her with her school work since her writing hand was still in a cast and the school wanted to make sure she was protected. Roy and JoAnne both walked Jenny to the bus that first day and stood holding each other as the bus drove away.

Neither of them had said a word but they had noticed that the first responder bag with the triangular bandages, stethoscope and blood pressure cuff had remained hanging on the door knob in her room. They had to wonder what the long term effect was going to be on their little girl.

The next four trials were much the same as the first two, the next three the children were not required to attend but Roy did because he wanted to know what was being done to make sure there wouldn't be another incident. At each of the trials he noticed the same man in the court room and Roy learned that he was the retired Marine who had taken on the bunch of ill taught boys in an attempt to unteach what had been taught.

More importantly each of the boys became individuals to Roy as he listened to each of their stories. Some Roy was sure were just plain hardened Criminals in their youth, he questioned if they would ever amount to much. Others were from broken or abusive homes and were just acting out what they were being taught. One young man was watching his father die a slow and painful death to cancer and he was angry, and acting out. Roy was grateful when counseling was ordered for the parents as well and that at least some sort of intervention was taking place.

The counseling sessions for the children were going well and Roy attended with them as often as he wasn't working. It was after the last of the boys agreed to counseling out of court that the councilor asked to speak with the parents alone after one session.

"I have been approached by one of the councilors that is working with several of the other children that were involved in this incident and we all agree that it would be for the better good for all of the children involved if there were a few group sessions involving all of the children." The councilor proposed to the parents.

At first Roy was filled with instant reluctance to allow the bullies that had hurt his children anywhere near them again but then he took a deep breath and let the thoughts of the last few weeks bring reason to his mind.

The councilor was quick to let them know that there would be plenty of adult supervision at these sessions and that everything would be well structured and controlled.

Roy looked at his wife and held her hand, "These boys are going to be returned to their homes, that is where they belong and they will be in the same schools as our children, its best if we do what we can to work out some kind of friendlier standings between the kids."

"I know your right Roy, but I'm scared," JoAnne admitted.

"So am I," Roy also admitted, "But it's the right thing to do."

The first meeting was held in a basketball gym, as they were waiting for the door to be open some of the parents were making it clear that they didn't think the 'good kids' were any better than their kids because the 'good kids' actually inflicted more damage than the so called bad kids.

It was the retired Marine that stepped in to calm the shouting and when the doors were opened the group quickly divided with the good kids and their parents on one side of the gym and the troubled kids and their parents on the other side. There wasn't a lot of talking and no one could hear when there was.

Roy was quick to notice the number of children on the other side who only had a mother with them. There were a few on his side too and some he knew that the father was just working but the number of single parent kids was far greater on the other side.

That was something that Roy talked about a lot during his next shift and Captain Stanley was willing to help the discussion along as the mostly bachelor crew got a lesson on how important fathers and male role models were in a child's life. They talked about the father's that worked two and three jobs to pay for things and how the children suffered when they weren't home to spend time with their children teaching them how to be children first and then responsible adults.

Marco would later report spending more time with his nephew and helping him with a science project. Chet admitted thinking about volunteering for a local big brother organization but wasn't sure. Mike they would find out agreed to be an assistant little liege foot ball coach on his days off and would later be rewarded when one of his players managed to pull his younger brother and sister out of and apartment fire before the fire department got there, and then hurried to Mike to tell him about a neighbor who was still inside. That's how everyone found out about Mike being the assistant coach, he never would have told on himself.

John seemed to change his approach towards the children they worked on with their job and would talk about the difference in the kids who had involved parents apposed to those who didn't, while they were riding in the squad. Mostly John seemed to be afraid of fatherhood seeming to doubt his ability. Hank's wife would later be heard telling JoAnne how her husband was spending more time with their children and taking a more active roll in their school activities.

The next group session was held in a much smaller room. There was still plenty of room for every one. And the groups still set up with the 'good kids' on one side and the 'trouble kids' on the other.

Through his conversations at work Roy had begun to realize that for things to get better this needed to change and after talking with his wife and children on the third group session Roy and his family carefully found a seat next to your young boy who's father had terminal Cancer. Roy made sure he sat between his family and the 'troubled kids' and that his children were between he and JoAnne and well protected. His move was noted and some of the 'Good families' just glared but others joined them on the other side realizing the same thing Roy had.

By the third session the councilors and leaders had managed to get the participants talking and one of the boys that had been on the roof timidly rose his hand three times only to pull it down again when the speaker looked in his direction.

It was the Retired Marine that stood up and said. "I think this young man has a question he would like to ask," and then stood behind the young man encouraging him to stand and with a hand on his shoulder waited for him to speak.

"I, um, well, I want to ask a question to the First Aid Girl that was on the roof with us that day." the boy finally got out and Roy tensed up knowing that the question to come was being directed to his daughter.

Jenny had just gotten her casts off that day and was still a little stiff so her father helped her to stand and then with his hands under her arms lifted her till she was standing on the bench next to him.

Jenny was nervous enough that she didn't say anything but she did nod her head to indicate she was ready for the question. She then put her arm around her father's neck to make sure he stayed close.

"When we were on the roof that day and Mr. Bunker was telling us about what we needed to do to be leaders," the boy talked with uneasiness to his voice and major lack of confidence to his appearance.
"You told him that he was only half right. What did you mean?"

Roy could tell by the look on Jenny's face that she was surprised by the question. She turned to him as if she wanted him to tell her what to say but Roy couldn't answer this question for her he didn't know what she had been thinking or what she was thinking now. Some how he also knew she needed to answer the question for herself as well.

"Well um," Jenny started before the speaker asked her to wait until he could bring her a microphone.

When the lead councilor climbed the steps in front of her and placed the microphone up to her mouth the first thing Jenny did was start chewing on her fingers.

Roy reached up and took a hold of her hand and pulled it away from her mouth, "Just tell him what you feel and think Jenny there's no wrong answer to that question." He whispered in her ear.

"Leaders don't hurt people," Jenny blurted out, "and nobody is a leader in everything, there are people that lead in jump rope and other kids lead in monkey bars. And someone else leads in base ball. But leaders are supposed to help people. In school the reading leaders help others learn to read better and the same with the math leaders. Jesus was a leader and he washed his peoples feet when they were dirty. Mr. Bunker always wanted to be the leader he didn't take turns and he hurt people when they didn't do what he wanted them to do. That's not being a leader that's being mean."

When Jenny was done she turned to her father who still had his arm around her and returned her fingers to her mouth. She had answered the question and impressed the room with her answer. Roy looked over to the boy who had asked the question and saw that he was in deep thought he then turned and spoke quietly with the person behind him and the two of them were still talking quietly with the meeting ended and everyone was heading home.

00000

The next shift Roy and John responded to a man down call and were met at the sidewalk by the boy Roy had learned was fighting with his father's terminal illness.

"Please, it's my dad, you got a help him," the boy begged as Roy and John gathered their equipment. Roy wanted to let his partner in on the hopeless nature of the father's situation but John was hurrying too fast to get to the boy's father.

Once inside they found the mother and a younger daughter at the father's bedside, the mother quickly informed Johnny of the terminal nature of her husband's condition and both paramedics could tell with one look that the end was near as they watched the man fight to breath. Rampart was able to prescribe treatment that helped and as the man was being loaded into the ambulance Roy could see the boy beating on a padded support beam to the car port.

"Randy please come," the mother called as she lifted her daughter into the front of the ambulance, but Randy continued to hit with doubled fists and kick at the padding.

"Ma'am, I can bring him with me in the squad if that's permissible." Roy offered, "Give him a moment to let out some frustration."

"Are you sure," the woman responded, she knew who Roy was, "you know he's one of the boys who-"

Roy held up his hand to stop the woman. "This is different, I know he's having a hard time with what is going on with his father and that he's being taught to take is frustrations out on support beams instead of other people now. Seems to me someone who's going through what he's going through should be allowed to get some of that out before he's expected to sit still in a hospital for who knows how long."

The woman nod her head at Roy, "Thank you."

Roy helped her inside then shut the door and watched as the ambulance was on it's way. He then just walked over and let Randy continue to kick and hit with out making an effort to stop him.

When the boy finally collapsed in tears Roy quietly stepped closer and placed a hand on the boys shoulder before gently pulling him into his shoulder and allowing him to cry.

As they rode to the hospital once Randy had gained some control the cab was quiet and Roy allowed it to remain so.

"How come you're being so nice to me?" Randy asked, "You know I'm one of the boys that beat the crap out of Chris."

"Yes I know," Roy answered and thought on his words carefully, "What you did to my son wasn't right but I understand you a little bit. I know what you're going through is really rough right now."

"Yea it sucks," Randy cut in, "SO what are you going to do about it?"

"Sadly there isn't a whole lot I can do about it." Roy admitted, "But someone recently reminded me about someone who taught that we should treat all people the way we want to be treated and I know if my Dad was as sick as you dad is that I'd like someone to let me know it's alright to cry and that that doesn't make you a baby. I also know that your dad can't give you a hug right now but I'm also sure that he wants to so I kind a, gave him some help."

At the hospital Roy walked with Randy to his mother's side before leaving the family together to wait until their husband and father was settled in his room. Johnny confirmed that the end was as close as they had felt it was and Roy begged a moment to make a phone call before they returned to the station.

Three car wrecks, an apartment fire with 13 smoke inhalation patients and a small brush fire later the crew was waiting for dinner to be ready when a guest was led into the station. It was the retired Marine that Roy was growing in admiration of over the last several weeks.

"Hello," Roy extended a hand and the two men shook. The man's name Was Tyler James, Roy knew from asking for his name of a friend so that he could give him a call but the two had never been formally introduced.

"Randy Martial's father passed away about an hour ago." Tyler informed Roy, "Thanks for giving me a call, I told Randy that I'd be there for him your phone call made it possible for me to do so."

"I've been watching you with all of those boys," Roy reveled, "You seem to really be making a difference."

"That's nice of you to say but you and your family made as much or more of a difference when you agreed to sit with my boys during the group sessions." Tyler commented, "And what that daughter of yours said at the last meeting sure has my boys talking and thinking. They all really admire your children, I don't know if you know that,"

The stunned look on Roy's face must have answered for him because Tyler continued to speak, "They had been convinced that your Son and Daughter were breaking all the rules and needed to be taught a lesson but they also admire and are a little jealous of what they've been able to accomplish. We've talked a lot about what and how they've done the things they do."

"I didn't know." Roy finally responded.

"The reason I'm here is that Randy asked if you could be one of the pall bearers at his father's funeral later this week and I told him that I'd ask you."

"Me?" Again Roy was surprised.

"They don't have a lot of family and the husband has been down for long enough that he doesn't have many friends who have stuck around to help him fight this loosing battle. They could really use the help and you really made an impression on Randy when you gave him a ride to the hospital."

Roy sighed, "Of course I'll help, what day for sure? I may need to get a replacement for work so that I can come."

"I'll have to let you know they're still finalizing the dates and times with the pastor and the mortuary."

Business was concluded and Mr. James left. When Roy didn't return after walking him to the door Cap went in search of his missing man.

Roy was found still standing at the door looking out on a road where a car was no longer parked, it was clear his thoughts were deep.

"Penny for your thoughts," Cap commented as he placed a hand on the man's shoulder.

Roy turned to look at his captain but remained in deep thought. "I'm confused mostly Cap, everything is so complicated, Each one of those boys that were causing trouble have their own problems that their trying to learn how to deal with and now that they have the right help some of them are doing better, others I know are destined for a life of anger and trouble with the law. All their needs are so varied, how do you know where to start or what to do to make a difference?"

Hank smiled at his paramedic, "Seems to me you've made a couple of positive steps already, you just have to live a good life and not be part of the problem, sometimes that's all it takes. It's amazing how the biggest difference is sometimes made by the littlest thing. And don't forget all the kids you keep from becoming troubled kids."

00000

The day of the funeral Chris accompanied his father. Jenny had declined the invitation because the funeral thing with dead people and all was just too much for her.

On the drive home Roy and his son talked at length about what it must be like to grow up with out a father and the danger of Roy's work was talked about again in great depth. It was Chris's idea to invite Randy to join the Scout troop and Roy applauded his idea.

When they arrived home via the scenic route past the malt shop Roy found his partner's car parked on the curb with his partner sitting behind the wheel.

Pulling into the driveway Roy got out and waved his son in the house before he walked over to the open driver's window to see just what his partner was up to.

"Hi there," Roy greeted in confusion, "What brings you by?"

Johnny looked at his partner and took in then let out a deep breath, "I spent a good hour and a half on the phone with your daughter today." Johnny said then watched to see if he needed to duck a punch coming his way.

"With Jenny? Why are you calling my daughter can't you find someone your own age?" Roy joked but was confused.

"I didn't call her she called me." Johnny quickly set the facts right, "She was asking if I ever wanted to give up being a paramedic and if I thought about not going back to work after I've been hurt. I think she's trying to decide weather or not to start carrying her little first aid purse again. Like I said we talked for over an hour and a half and I tried real hard not to say anything that would influence her one way or another. We talked about all the options either of us could think about and I encouraged her to talk to you. I wanted to talk to you too and tell you that she called me so that you could maybe talk to her and get her to tell you what she's thinking. That way you can influence her the way you want and I won't screw things up. I just thought her parents should be involved in this more than a family friend if you know what I mean."

"Yeah Johnny I know what you mean and thanks, for talking to Jennifer and giving her an outlet and for telling me. I really appreciate it." Roy rest his hand on the open window. "Would you like to join us for dinner?"

"No I think I'll go find someone my own age to have dinner with," Johnny teased back before he reached down and turned his ignition to make his point. After sharing a smile Johnny put his Rover in gear and pulled out and Roy walked thoughtfully into the house.