Greetings All. Well, I thought I only had two chapters left... but this one was getting sooo long and I knew you all were waiting as patiently as you could, so I decided to split it into two chapters itself. This chapter, and the second part which will be 45, were/are VERY hard to write as they are so opposite of all I personally believe.
For those of you asking, Child Of My Heart is a work in progress. I will put it up sometime AFTER this is done. I am actually writing four stories at the same time. I promise that this time I will have them more complete before I post. But it means you might have to wait longer.
And... My son in Japan is fine but the military did send his wife and my granddaughter home around the end of March beginning of April. Now they are in military limbo, wondering about their stuff still back in Japan and when his orders to transfer will go through this summer as scheduled..
As always, thanks so much for the feedback. I love seeing it and it makes writing easier. So now enjoy. (Uhhh, those Kents-shudder)
"Marc, Marc you've gotta wake up or we'll be late." His wife's insistent voice drug him from the nice dreams he'd been having. He opened his eyes and looked around from his place on the couch. "What time is it?" He asked as he sat up.
"It's nearly noon." She replied. "Didn't you say the party was at one?"
He nodded, "Yeah, that's right." He remembered the date circled twice in red with the words "B-Day party 1:00" he'd seen on the DeSoto calendar hanging in their kitchen. He stretched, watching as Tammy combed Amy's hair.
"Do we have to go to their dumb old house again?" Amy whined.
Tammy smiled at her daughter, "Just for a little while, dearest. It will help Daddy at work."
Amy pouted as she crossed her arms, "Ok. But I'm not eating anything there. Their food makes me sick."
Tammy patted her back, "You don't have to eat anything. Why don't you go get something to eat right now." Amy left, headed toward the kitchen. Marc turned to Tammy. "Did you get a gift?"
Tammy made a scornful noise. "Of course! It wouldn't be proper to show up for the kid's birthday and not have a gift!" She pointed to a gaily wrapped present sitting on the table by the front door. "How old is Roy's boy?"
Marc shrugged. "I thought he said something about him just turning 6?"
Tammy frowned, "Really? I could have sworn he was closer to Terry then Amy. Oh well, guess he's just large for his age then." She pulled a marker out of the drawer, grabbed the tag on the package and hesitated. "What was his name again?"
Marc stopped, blinking his eyes as he thought. "Uhhhhh, Jimmy? Timmy? Johnny? Bobby? Something common like that."
Tammy made a face at him. "Lotta help you are. You never can remember names."
Marc shrugged as he headed off to the restroom. Tammy frowned at the empty tag then shrugging wrote something. "C'mon kids let's go!" She shouted. Terry and Amy raced past her and headed out to the car. Marc came up to her, a bewildered look on her face. "Where's the baby?"
"You forget the baby's name too?" She asked sarcastically.
Marc glared at her, his lips pulled tight, "No. Where's Jaime?"
Tammy snorted, "With the sitter. I plan on enjoying myself. It's been a long time since I talked with JoAnne and I can't do what I want if I have to stop and care for Jaime every ten minutes." Marc waited until she headed out the door before he rolled his eyes. 'Great. She's in one of those moods. Well it's a good thing we're heading out then.' He knew that no matter what, his wife always was on her best manners when in public. After all, it wouldn't be respectable to be otherwise.
Before long the four Kents were pulling into the cul-de-sac where the DeSotos lived. Cars extended out the DeSoto driveway and most of the normally empty areas around the house were filled. Tammy looked at Marc, her eyes wide. "Wow! This must be some birthday party. There're lots more people here compared to Memorial day!"
Marc nodded his head in agreement as he searched for a place to park. He finally found one and the family left the car and headed for the house. The sounds of people laughing and talking, children squealing, and the smells from a bar-b-que drifted in the air. Marc walked up to the front portal and saw it was open with only the screen door closed. He glanced once at Tammy, gave a faint half-hearted tap to the screen door, for manners sake of course, then opened the door and stepped inside. Once past the entryway, he could see easily into the house and again exchanged glances with his wife. His family followed him and stopped, wide eyed, to gape around. The entry way was decorated with streamers and balloons, a banner over the entrance to the kitchen proclaimed "Happy Birthday Johnny" and a large stack of gifts covered the dining room table. Tammy gave the gift to Terry and told him to place it with the rest. The boy did as instructed then returned to his parents, unsure what to do next.
The sound of raised voices and children giggling turned their attention to the sliding door to the backyard. "You sure you can manage, junior?" Called a voice Marc thought might be Roy.
Another voice, closer to them, answered, "I got it handled, I got it handled."
"Sure ya do Gage. Sure ya do." Came another voice and laughter.
"Ahhhh, go soak your head, Kelly." The second voice grumbled and they heard the sound of the sliding door opening. Childish giggles echoed closer as the voice protested, "Ya know, this would be a whole lot easier if you guys weren't helping me."
"But Tio Juanito. Mommy said to stick to you like glue until she got back. That's what we're doing." A little voice piped up. More giggling.
Before the Kents could move further into the house a figure erupted from the kitchen in front of them causing all three adults to gasp. Tammy and Marc backed up slightly from the tall, slender, well muscled, dark haired man wearing a dark red tank top, cut off jean shorts and at least three kids who all blinked in surprise back at them. Then white teeth flashed on the deeply tanned face as the man stepped forward again, "Um. Hi! I wasn't . . . I mean . . .um welcome!"
Johnny was a little bewildered to see the Kents standing in the middle of Roy's living room but quickly recovered. 'I guess Roy invited them too. Well. Ok. I guess I should, like, associate with him. After all, I'll probably be running into him on the job.' Out loud he said, "Ummmm, the party's out back. Roy's finishing grilling and we're just getting ready to eat." He motioned back behind him, which caused the girl on his back to giggle as she ducked his thumb.
"Uncle Johnny! You nearly poked me!" She protested. Johnny turned his head slightly, "Nearly poked you, huh? Well whatcha gonna do if I do poke you, Kiddle?" He teased as he pushed his fingers into the ribs resting against his shoulder blades. The girl erupted into squeals of laughter and the child sitting on his hip in his other arm began to jump up and down shouting, "Tickle me! Tickle me!"
The child sitting on his foot with his legs and arms wrapped around Johnny's left leg reached over to Johnny's right knee, moving his fingers across the back of it and asking, "Are you ticklish here, Juanito?"
Johnny let out a yelp and moved his leg, his free hand going down to interfere with the tickling hand. "Hey! Hey! Don't make me fall guys!"
"Johnny did you find the . . .oh." JoAnne stopped at the sight of a swaying child-laden +-Johnny and the Kent family in her kitchen. She immediately moved forward and pulled Jenny off Johnny's back, set her down and handed her the bag of buns Johnny had come in for, saying, "Take these to your father, dear."
Next she took the smaller girl from Johnny's hip saying, "I think your Mommy is with your Tio Marco, Julia. Julio? Let go of Johnny now and go with your sister back outside."
The boy unwrapped himself from Johnny's leg with a pout, "He's Tio Juanito. Not Johnny." He protested. She smiled and Johnny bent down to whisper something into his ear. He giggled, nodded, grabbed his sister's hand and took off.
JoAnne's eyes meet Johnny's as he straightened, "Thanks Jo." He shifted his shoulders and unkinked his back, "Gee! I feel so much lighter now! I'll never complain about the weight of my gear again. At least it doesn't wiggle around or try to strangle me!"
Jo chuckled. Johnny moved to pass her but her hand on his arm stopped him. He looked back, his eyebrows raised. She tilted her head slightly to the still bewildered open-mouthed Kents and raised her own brow. Johnny gave a faint shrug then a grin before he bounded back out the door only to be tackled by three young boys as soon as his feet cleared the deck. Soon Johnny and a ball of kids were rolling across the backyard. Jo watched them for a few moments, smiling at the happy sight, then turned back to her newest guests, the smile now slightly faded and forced.
"Tammy! Marc! What a . . .surprise!"
Tammy stepped forward to grasp JoAnne's arm. "JoAnne dear! I can't tell you how I've missed you and how worried I was about you!" She gushed. Then she turned to her children and ordered, "Go on out back."
They left and Marc shifted uncomfortably but Tammy's glare kept him there. She turned back to JoAnne. "I'm so happy to see you looking so well. After what happened last time I was here, well, let's just say I was soooo relieved that Roy came home when he did." She shook her finger in JoAnne's face as she chided her, "You know that what you were going to do was really quite foolish." Then she wrapped her arm around Jo's shoulders and smiled, "But I understand why you wanted to do that. You and Roy have good hearts but you know that even good people can get hurt. There are those who will take advantage of good-hearted people like you." She shook her head sadly, "And there are those on whom such good intentions are just a pure waste of time and effort. They can't comprehend anything truly good because they haven't real souls. Those kind its best not to even try."
She smiled at her friend, "JoAnne dear. I really believe you've been taken in with some of that kind. It's best to leave them to people who are trained to handle such . . . creatures." She squeezed Jo's shoulders and nodded to her husband, "But don't worry. We're here to help back you up and get you out of this situation you've obviously gotten into." Her expression hardened as she glanced out into the backyard when Johnny let out a yelp, disappearing under a pile of children. "Right, Marc?"
Marc had been looking wistfully toward where he could see the men gathered on the back deck drinking beer but the sound of his name called him back to his wife. He gave a reassuring smile and a firm nod. "That's absolutely right, Tammy." He agreed.
Jo blinked in shock at what she was being told—and the implications behind it. She took a deep breath, ready to blast this . . .woman . .. to kingdom come when two things stopped her. One was her son re-entering the house and the other was the thought that Roy—for some unknown and perverse reason—must have invited them.
Chris looked at Mr. and Mrs. Kent standing near his mother and rolled his eyes. "Mom. Mrs. Stanley said we need more serving spoons."
Jo shook herself into action and whirled to the drawer. "Here, I have them here." She said as she grabbed a handful. "Chris? Get the potato salad out of the fridge and take it on out." She took a deep breath, calmed her blood pressure and turned something resembling a smile back to the Kents. "We're all out in the back and we're getting ready to eat." She told them then fled out the door.
Marc could smell the food and his mouth watered at the thought of a repeat of the delicious offerings he'd feasted on at the Memorial day picnic. He glanced at Tammy whose face was twisted into a look that said she'd smelled or tasted something disgusting. "They still let him here. After all, that they still let him in their house. And let him touch their daughter no less." She hissed.
Marc blinked at her, bewildered. She frowned, "Well? Didn't you see him with all those . . . those alien brats hanging on him? But Jenny. Pure sweet little Jenny, she was on his back!" She shook her head as she crossed her arms. "I'm so glad we're back. JoAnne definitely needs my help." With her head held high and a determined look on her face, she crossed the kitchen toward the sliding door. Marc followed her.
Once outside both stopped again, surprised at the sight before them. People filled the backyard, laughing, talking, some playing horseshoes in a corner of the yard. Two large tables were loaded with food and Roy was in one corner of the deck, happily grilling stacks of patties, chicken legs, sausages and hot dogs. Again the two exchanged looks. The Memorial Day picnic had been fun; the food good, the talk enjoyable, but this . .. this was completely different! There was nearly twice the amount of people here now and easily over twice the amount of food! There had been a underlying tension before that was totally lacking presently. The atmosphere was lighter, happier. A couple dozen children scrambled across the yard, shouting and laughing with the tall Indian that had greeted them inside. The adults talked, joked and watched the sight, making comments and once in a while calling out teasing comments to the overwhelmed adult.
Terry had ventured into the backyard when told to by his mother but froze in uncertainty once he left the deck. Before, all the boys had played ball or games together while the Amy and Jenny had played inside. Now, there were twice as many kids here, a more equal number of boys and girls, and they all seemed to be playing with the same Indian he'd first seen inside the kitchen. He hesitated, not sure what to do but wanting to join in on what looked to be lots of fun. His choice was made for him when suddenly Johnny tossed the ball to Terry and hollered "Run! The goals beyond the shed!" Instinctively, Terry took off, ducking around the kids who now moved to get him. Then the tall Indian ran up to him, defending him from the other kids before suddenly scooping him up and racing with him over the goal. Once across and still holding Terry, he jumped up and down, a huge grin on his face, "I win! I win!"
The surrounding kids protested, "Not fair, Johnny! Not fair!"
Johnny grinned at the kids, "What's not fair, Matt?" He asked as he placed Terry back on the ground. Terry shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, still holding the ball.
The light blonde haired blue eyed boy who had been protesting the loudest, blinked in surprise. "Ummmm, he's . . . not on a team . . . .?" He finished lamely and the others nodded in instant agreement.
Johnny grinned as he put his hands on his hips, "Well, it's my party and I make the rules—right?"
The kids looked at each other. Finally Chris nodded, "Yeah. That's what we agreed on." He acknowledged.
Johnny winked at a bewildered Terry, "Well then, I decided he was on my team—so there."
The other kids again exchanged glances then shrugged, "OK. I guess."
Johnny grinned broader, took the ball and tossed it away then in another rapid movement he tapped Chris on the shoulder as he announced, "And now I'm changing the game. Tag! And Chris is it!" He grabbed up a giggling dark haired girl and began running before the other kids could move. Chris grinned broadly then reached toward his sister who yelped and danced out his way. He next reached for Terry but by now the other boy was over his shock and he, too, ran off. Squeals came from all over the back yard as the game of tag morphed into a game of 'tackle Johnny'. Johnny raced around the yard; ducking, running and doubling back on various kids, swooping them upward in strong arms while they shrieked with laughter, then he'd laugh too, and put them down as others attacked him and off they go again to repeat the process.
This was the sight Marc focused in on even as he walked over to where Roy stood near the grill with several others watching the backyard antics. Marc didn't seem to notice the other people glancing his way or the muttered comments of, "Kent."
"'Lo Marc."
"Uhh, hey. Kent."
Marc shook his head as he paused, close enough to hear what was being said in the group, but a little leery as these people who didn't seem the same. There was so much joy and more laughter then he'd seen here before. Mike Stoker looked at Roy, his blue eyes sparkling as he grinned, "Looks like the kids are having a blast."
"Yeah," Captain Stanley snickered, "All of them." Then he sighed happily, "It's so good to see him out there like this again."
Roy nodded, a huge grin on his own face as he took the fresh meat off the plate Jo held and placed it on the grill. A female voice called from near the tables, "Hank dear, would you come here please."
Cap rolled his eyes mockingly at his paramedic and called back, "Coming my dear."
Roy looked up as Marc moved next to him, several emotions flashing quickly across his face as he transferred cooked meat to a different platter his wife now held. "Marc!" he looked past his former trainee and spied sight of Marc's wife looking around her with an expression between distain and astonishment. "And . . .Tammy! What a surprise!"
At that Jo caught her husband's gaze, tilting her head slightly. He shook it and glanced once out in the yard toward Johnny. Jo now shook her head and frowned. Roy sighed heavily and rolled his eyes. "Nice to see you." He added as Jo headed back toward the nearly overwhelmed tables, Tammy instantly at her shoulder.
Marc grinned broadly at Roy and placed his arm familiarly over his shoulder. "Hey Roy! Great party!" He sniffed heavily and sighed in contentment. "And that grilling smells wonderful."
Roy poked at a few sausages. "Yeah. Thanks. Ummm, I'm too busy right now to help you with stuff for the test but if you can wait until later . . ."
"No problem, no problem. We'll just kick back and enjoy ourselves." Marc told him as he tightened his grasp across the other paramedic's shoulders. Roy found himself tightening his jaw as well.
"Careful; that'll bust your teeth." A teasing voice in his other ear said. Roy saw the pleasant look drop from Marc's face as he looked past Roy. However, Roy's body relaxed as he recognized the presence of his partner and he looked up into laughing brown eyes. Those eyes flashed to Kent then back to Roy's and then rolled. Roy chuckled at his friend. Johnny reached out and grabbed a sausage from the warmer and took a large bite. "'bout done here? Chet's whining about our rematch game." He stuffed the remaining sausage into his mouth with another grin.
Roy mock swatted at his friend, "Get outta here, you bottomless pit." He grumbled. "It'll be done when it's done." Johnny laughed and bounced off toward a volley ball net where Marco, some of his family and Chet waited. Roy watched him go, his gaze fond.
Marc, too, watched the Indian. He'd noticed close up several red raised fresh scars quite visible on the tanned skin of the man's arms, legs and face. He frowned, something about the obvious recent injures on an Indian nagged at him. He turned to Roy. "I recognize most of the people here, Roy . . . " He paused as he looked around, noticing Captain Stanley, and the remaining men of the engine crew from 51's as well as several other paramedics. A deep laugh caught his attention and his eyes widened in surprise to identify Dr. Kelly Brackett was also in attendance.
Roy watched Kent's reaction and smiled, waiting to hear what Marc would ask. He blinked, stunned as Marc finally continued with, "But whose your . . uhhhh new dog-scout? He's a new paramedic, right? Are you training him? I think he was in a few of my classes a week or so ago." He snickered as he watched the dark haired man trying to defend one side of the volleyball net by himself. "He is certainly . .. energetic."
Roy turned and looked at Marc, his brows turning down as he tried to figure out if the man was joking or not. Finally he decided from the completely blank and somber look Marc was giving him the other man was serious. "Marc. That's Johnny Gage. My partner." He made a wide sweeping motion around the yard as he looked at the gathered, "He's always been a bundle of energy. Sometimes it seems everyone just feeds off of his energy yet he always has more to give."
Kent looked at Roy, his mouth dropping open. Then he squinted his eyes back at figure diving for the ball. 'So. That's John Gage.' He mused, 'I coulda sworn when I met him he had light hair and green eyes.' He shrugged slightly, 'but, I only met him that once. If John Gage is Indian then no wonder Roy feels like he should train any Indian that comes into this field He misses his first partner.' He shook his head, "No wonder you took on that mistake George."
Roy stared at him. "George. Who's George?"
Startled that he'd spoken out loud, Kent smiled brightly at Roy, "You know. That kid that was with us. I can see why you took him to train. You were thinking about your partner, John. Too bad about George washing out." He clicked his tongue in mock sympathy as he patted Roy's back. "I told you before, it wasn't your fault. Some can and some can't. With them it's a genetic thing. I guess the ones with a higher count of white blood mixed in 'um might do better."
Roy froze, his spatula in mid-flip as his face furrowed. "What are you talking about? I've only worked with you with Johnny. You were the only trainee we've had recently."
Kent blinked in surprise at Roy. "No, Roy. Remember? That Indian kid that we were training. You know. The one you didn't even trust to do more than carry equipment?" He chuckled to himself, "The one you said was about as good as a rescue dog in the field."
Roy winced as he recalled the remarks. He set the tongs and spatula aside as he turned to Marc. "Marc, there are a few things I think I need to clarify with you. There was no other trainee but you. It was only myself, you and Johnny in that squad. And well, I . . ." He looked at his hands, then looked away, caught sight of Mike who was close enough to hear the conversation, and saw the tall engineer give him a faint smile and a nod of encouragement. He smiled back and drew strength. "I was wrong. I had gotten angry with Johnny and I wasn't treating him at all right. I was wrong to say the things I did, and I did Johnny .. . and you . . . a grave disservice with the things I lead you to believe." He looked back out to where Johnny was in the process of spiking the ball across the net, smiling as he then made verbal jabs at his nemesis.
Kent shook his head, still unconvinced that the same man he now watched racing back and forth on one side of the volleyball net, sending the ball back each time while teasing Jenny and taunting the two linemen, was the same quiet withdrawn man he'd worked with.
Roy, too, watched him, knowing his friend was nearly back to 100% and for a moment saw his friend in the sad condition Kent had known the man. "This is Johnny. The Johnny you saw was ill and hurt." He stared after his friend, his voice soft and more than a little sad. "We . . .we nearly lost him completely back then and I have no one to blame but myself."
Perhaps this was the same man . . . .? Maybe his accident had taught the Indian to be a better firefighter, Kent mused, then hearing Roy's words turned his attention back to the paramedic beside him. Kent smiled as he dropped a supportive arm over Roy's shoulders. This, he was familiar with; Roy, being the gentle caring paramedic, ready to take all the world's ill onto himself. "Now Roy. You know that's not true. You didn't put him in front of that building when it blew. You didn't . . ."
"No, I didn't put him in that explosion." Roy agreed, his voice sharp. "But my actions nearly killed him never-the-less. I wasn't there to help him afterwards; I wasn't there to support him before." His voice became soft as his eyes turned back toward the scampering figure who was tossing comments back toward Chet just as quickly as he returned the ball. "I abandoned my partner, my friend, when he needed me the most and I will never forget that. And I will never do that again" He shook his head, "And I will be forever grateful that he seems to have forgiven me, and is willing to forget even when I can't—no, make that won't forget myself."
Kent started to say something else but stopped as Johnny dove after the ball, tripped and hit the ground—hard. Roy called out, "Watch it Junior, they're ganging up on you there!" Johnny turned, sending a mega watt grin toward them, "Well then pally, you'd better come help me! After all, partner, that's what partners do, right?" Roy's return smile rivaled the one Johnny sent him.
"Right, partner!" Roy agreed as he headed out to join them. Kent took it all in, a little wide-eyed as Roy reached the net just as Johnny went sprawling yet again. Laughing, Roy grabbed Johnny's upraised hand, pulled the younger man to his feet and clapped him on his back. Their hands remained clasped a moment longer as they faced each other. "You okay?" Roy asked. Johnny nodded then they separated, just a few steps apart as they faced their opponents, braced and ready. "Aww, no fair!" Chet bemoaned. "Cap, not both of them!"
Hank just grinned wider from where he watched on the sidelines, happy to see his paramedics standing shoulder to shoulder again, a united front against all odds. "Tough, Kelly. You'll just have to live with it." He replied. Silently to himself he added, 'I know I can live with this so much better than the opposite.'
Kent never noticed as the tall engineer moved him slightly out of the way and took over the grill. His focus was on the two paramedics at the net. It seemed that before his eyes, Roy had become someone different. He had watched Roy greet and help the Indian to his feet. He'd seen something in Roy's blue eyes and in his face that he'd never seen before in the sandy haired medic. Johnny's brown eyes were lit with an inner fire which made his whole face glow and Roy's blues softly but no less intently echoed back that fire. There was something between them; something invisible, yet almost tangible. As he watched them take on the other members of A-shift engine crew, he felt anger and resentment build in his soul. To even him, it was obvious Roy felt something toward this tall Indian he worked with. Stories about Gage and DeSoto buzzed through his head as he watched the laughing two with disgust. "What a waste. Roy could do so much better than that poor excuse of a fireman." He grumbled as he pivoted, turning his back on the grinning pair working in complete tandem. He jerked open the cooler on the edge of the deck, yanked out a bottle of beer, snapped off the cap against the deck railing, not caring that he left a deep gouge in the wood. He upended the bottle and drank deeply.
Tammy, meanwhile, was having her own troubles with the women. She had pushed her way to Jo's side, knocking an older Hispanic lady off balance as she did. Dixie reached out and steadied her friend as she glared at the overmade harlequin. Tammy totally ignored them as she gushed, "Jo, dear! All this food looks great! You've certainly outdone yourself."
Jo looked over at Lina who smiled at her then frowned at Tammy. She saw Becky roll her eyes while Maggie's lips had thinned and she placed a serving spoon in a jello salad with a little more force than necessary. "Well, I didn't do this alone. It really was a group effort."
Tammy gave a glance around, "Yes. Well. I'm know it was your excellent coordinating abilities that pulled all this scattered help together." JoAnne took a deep breath and held it, silently counting to ten but looked over into black eyes as Dulcia shook her head while balancing Julia on her hip. "Not worth it, Chica." She muttered as she pretended to restack the buns on their platter.
Jo exchanged a brief grateful look and got a wink from the younger woman. She turned a forced smile to Tammy, "I don't know what we have here that Amy can eat. We can tell you the ingredients of everything here if you'd like." She changed the subject.
Tammy nodded, "Amy ate before we left but I'm sure if she gets hungry she'll eat from the basket I brought for her." She smiled over at Dixie. "My daughter has a very delicate digestion, you see. It's a medical thing, too complicated for most people to understand. And you just never can tell when you attend these . . . functions . . . what kind of sanitary conditions the food has come from."
A strangled sound came from the vicinity of Becky Stoker, "Three-four-five-six-seven-" She chanted quickly. "I think we're short a few, I'll go get more." And she hurried off. Jo looked at Dixie who shrugged but Maggie just gave a nod as she pretended to look pensive, "I see. Well, Dixie made the jello salad and the macaroni salad and since she's Rampart's ER's headnurse, I imagine she knows a thing or two about sanitation and diseases. And Becky Stoker made the potato salad, the Watergate salad and the lemon pie. She's a pediatric LPN working in the burn unit and you know how careful they have to be because of infections. And the tamales, bean dip, enchiladas, malasadas, and the pecan pie were all brought by the Lopez family and I bet they made them in their restaurant's kitchen since they own the Casa de El Sol." She smiled sweetly, "They've had a A+ rating on their kitchen since they opened."
She looked over the table with a mock frown, "Now the single guys, especially Chet you might not trust. But since they only brought the drinks, chips and buns straight from the store they're probably ok. Ummmm, what's left? Oh. Dr. Brackett brought the fruit salad but I think he had help."
Tammy blinked at that, "Dr. Brackett? Dr. Kelly Brackett?" She looked around.
Maggie nodded as she motioned to the left, "Yes. He's right over there beside Dr. Early. They're both quite fond of our Johnny."
Tammy looked over at a small knot of people talking while watching the antics of the Indian with the children. She spied the dark haired doctor standing next to another white haired distinguished man she recognized as one of LA's leading neurologists. 'I guess Roy's family is higher on the social scale then I thought if two of the top surgeons in California agreed to come to his kid's birthday party.' She mused.
"Yes. He had help." Dixie chuckled, "His favorite deli on the corner to be exact. However, Joe Early did make the coleslaw himself." She grumbled good naturedly, "10 years I've been trying to get that recipe from him. The only thing he's promised is he'll will it to me."
Lina chuckled at that. Tammy just blinked at the women. Maggie made a motion down the full tables, "And the rest is either from Jo or myself." She shrugged, "I can give you no guarantees on my kitchen. I'm just a lowly Captain's wife."
A snorting sound came from the side as Hank stepped forward and handed his wife a cold soda can, "Don't let her fool ya. She scrubs everything in that kitchen twice a week whether it needs it or not. Her floor is cleaner than the tabletops of some of the restaurants I've inspected."
Maggie smiled up at her husband as she sipped the drink. The distinct thud of bodies colliding along with a painful sounding 'uuoofffff!' came from the volleyball court and drew all eyes that direction. Once more Johnny was sprawled on the ground, but this time Roy was on top of him. Marco and Chet stood laughing for a moment then noticed neither were making any moves to get up. The happy looks fell from their faces as they scrambled to their shiftmates' sides.
The collision wasn't missed by others. "You twits!" Cap yelled out, "Don't you dare go breaking my paramedics! I just got them both back!"
"You better not mess up all that work I just put into you, hose jockey!" Kel yelled out about the same time. Everyone laughed, then suddenly got quiet as they noticed the same thing Marco and Chet did. Immediately and in mass, they headed toward the downed figures.
"Roy! Johnny? You guys alright?" Marco called as he reached out to grab Roy's arm.
Roy blinked his eyes and shook his head, "Yeah. Yeah I think I'm ok. What happened?"
"You ran right into Gage is what happened." Chet said, "Smacked both your heads together."
Roy grimaced, "That explains it. You ok junior?" He looked at the figure under him.
No reply.
Roy's face drained of color as his hand began trying to find Johnny's neck for a pulse. "Johnny? You ok? Answer me!" By now Cap, Mike, Kelly Brackett, and half a dozen paramedics were there.
"Don't move him!" Brackett called out as he dropped to his knees. "Roy what hurts?"
Roy looked up, his eyes holding a slightly wild look to them. "I'm fine. Nothing hurts. Johnny . . ."
Before anyone else could say anything a muffled voice grumbled, " . . .will be just fine if you'll Get . . OFF … him!"
Several breathes were released at that. Brackett oversaw the careful untangling of the two bodies and once Roy again stood, Johnny unkinked his own body and began trying to get up. "Not so fast!" Several voices cautioned and multiple hands restrained him. He made a face, "I'm fine, nothing's broke, now let me up."
Reluctantly they did so, watching him closely as he stood and dusted himself off. "Gee, I think you all are just a little overreacting here. I just took a little tumble, nothing big."
"For you it doesn't take anything big." Someone answered and several snickered at that while Johnny's eyes squinted in mock anger. He put his hands on his hips and opened his mouth to retort when a young worried voice chimed up, "Uncle Johnny! You're bleeding!"
Johnny blinked in surprise. "I am?" Then he looked down at himself even as hands once more grabbed him. "Here, on his elbows." Reported one.
"And his knees, bilaterally." Came another.
"His nose is beginning to bleed." Informed another just as Johnny felt the liquid begin to dribble down his upper lip. Before he could draw another breath, a chair appeared behind him and he was gently but forcibly made to sit. His head was tilted back and a light flashed into his eyes even as a cloth was pushed under his nose. Johnny blinked in surprise, giving a yelp as he tried to pull away. "I'm fine! I'm fine!" He protested even as he felt a cold cloth laid across the back of his neck and his elbows and knees being examined.
"Humor us, mi hermano."
"Gage hold still and let them work; that's an order!"
"Gage, I'll take you right back to Rampart if you don't hold still."
"Let them check you over just to be sure, junior."
The voices came almost simultaneously and Johnny's mouth made a silent 'O' even as his eyes widened and blinked. Then laughter rocked the area and Johnny went back to scowling.
"That almost sounded rehearsed!" Dulcia giggled.
"Sounds to me like they've all had too much practice." Beth sniffed but her eyes twinkled.
Joe looked over from where he'd been checking out Roy to the knot of people surrounding the darkly muttering 'other' paramedic. "Well, this one will live. How 'bout yours?"
"I think I can predict a complete recovery." Brackett deadpanned. Then a loud gurgling/growling noise came just in a moment of silence. "Although imminent starvation hasn't been ruled out yet."
Laughter eased the previous tension. Joe grinned, "I think this one has a pretty severe case of magnetic rubber-necking. No matter how often I turn his head toward me it oddly manages to face toward you."
Both Johnny and Roy colored at the doctors' humor at their expense. Brackett grinned at Johnny as he stood, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "I'd rather you were at Rampart so I could do a proper debriedment and maybe get a skull x-ray . . ."
"Oh come on Doc! It's just a few scrapes! I'm not dizzy or nauseous or anything!" Johnny whined. He pointed a finger at Roy, "He hit me in the nose with his head! Send him for x-rays!"
Roy's eyes got wide as he broke his face away from Early's hands yet again, "Hey! I'm not the one who didn't answer right away!" Joe dropped his head, shook it and sighed heavily. "See?"
Johnny glared, "I didn't answer because I couldn't get enough breath in my lungs to breathe, let alone speak! There was this heavy weight on top of me!"
"What!" Roy bellowed, "Are you saying . . ."
"Enough!" the resounding voice of their captain instantly quieted both men. They dropped their heads and chorused, "Sorry, Cap" with sheepish looks on their faces. Cap gave a curt nod, "That's better. Now," he turned to Brackett. "Do you think they should go in?" He raised a hand without looking toward Gage who stopped his protest mid-squeak.
Brackett tried his best to keep a straight face as he looked over at his comrade. Joe had no such discretion and was chortling gleefully. "What do you think, Joe?"
"I think I'm hungry." He announced and Johnny's stomach loudly agreed. "And he is too." He motioned to a furiously blushing Johnny. More laughter echoed around the yard. Brackett turned back to the Fire Captain who still held his nervously shifting men under his commanding stare. "Captain, I think they'll be fine. We can clean 'em up here and keep an eye on them."
Johnny's breath left him in a loud sigh and he slumped in relief. Cap looked them carefully over then said, "Alright then. I'll agree." He looked over to where Jo had pulled out basins filled with warm water and the first aid kit. She and Dixie stood ready for their orders. "Ladies? They're all yours."
As the two began washing and bandaging, the rest made comments then drifted off. Chet slapped Johnny on the back getting both a scowl and a wince. "Tough luck Gage. Maybe you'll beat us next time."
Johnny looked up, "No need for next time." He hotly answered, "I returned the ball right before Roy plowed into me. If you'd've been watching it instead of making fun of me you would have seen it."
"Hey!" Roy protested again, turning his head back toward Johnny. Jo, who was trying to put ice on the bump on his forehead looked over at Joe Early with a sigh and a 'I see what you mean' glance. Chet snorted, "You wish, Gage, it was out!"
"It was in." Roy backed his partner up. Johnny gave him a quick grin before smirking at Chet. "See?"
"Like he's gonna go against you!" Chet argued, "He's on your team."
"I wasn't." Marco added, "And I saw it too but I was more worried that they weren't getting up at the time."
Chet glared at Marco. "I think you hit your head." He muttered. "Caaaappp!" He whined.
Hank raised his hand and all protests stopped as several sets of eyes watched him intently. "It was in."
"Yes!" Johnny jumped up, pumping his fist into the air.
"John Gage will you sit still!" Dixie barked as she swiftly caught the roll of gauze she'd been wrapping around his arm. He hastily sat, blushing bright red as he sheepishly muttered, "Sorry Dix."
Dixie sighed, "Well I'm about as done here as I can get anyway." She told him as she cut off the gauze end and secured it. Johnny grinned, "Thanks Dix."
"You're not done yet, Ms. McCall." Jenny told her from where she'd been 'assisting' the nurse by handing her items. Dixie and Johnny both looked at her, saw the very serious look on her face.
"I'm not?" Dixie said as she looked Johnny over, "What did I miss?" Johnny, too, looked himself over, trying to see what the child meant. His elbows were cleaned, antisepticised and the deepest abrasion covered. The same with his knees and his nose had stopped bleeding although it was still a little swollen.
"You didn't kiss any of his owies to make them heal faster." Jenny explained. Dixie made a knowing sound as Johnny blushed. Then she looked at him and he pulled back at the wicked gleam in her eyes. "Oh. Now. Dix. Uhhh, There's . ..you don't . .. I mean . .." He stuttered, both hands up warding off the advancing nurse.
Then a rich voice proclaimed, "how about if I kiss it and make it better—just like when he was little."
Johnny looked up at the sound of that voice and before anyone else could make a move, with a cry he leapt to his feet and raced over to where a nun in habit stood grinning widely and grabbed her up into a twirling hug. "Ina! Doks ke ya on hey?"
Mark had been watching the fiasco while he polished off another beer. He's been frowning over the fuss being made over Gage. Brackett! Head of the ER Dr. Big Stuff Kelly Brackett was kneeling in the dirt examining a savage's skinned up knees. How pathetic was that? He shook his head, getting another beer, again using the railing to pop the top, not caring where the lid went or the deep gouges he was making.
He watched as the group dissolved and he saw Jo putting ice on Roy's head. He nodded in approval, "That was as it should be with a good wife." Then his attention went back to where the Indian sat. He snickered as the head nurse lost her temper with the man and obviously threatened him. Then suddenly the vulgar creature burst out in gibberish and ran across the yard to . .. ( his eyes popped open wide) assault a nun!
He looked around in disbelief as at first no one seemed to take exception then a small group of people headed that direction as well. "Ahh, now they'll get him. Damned uppity prairie trash should be locked away," he muttered as he wobbled over to plop down at the table and began filling a plate.
Johnny placed a kiss on his aunt's cheek as he stopped twirling her. "When did you get back? How long can you stay? Do you have to go back? How was it there?" Johnny bubbled in Dahkota.
"Manners, Tokalu Chikala.(Little Fox)" She reprimanded him in English.
Instantly the happy look dropped from Johnny's face and he set his aunt down with a quiet, "I'm sorry." his head down. She patted the thick black hair, "That's better. Now. To answer some of your questions, I got back two days ago and found the lovely invitation from JoAnne." She turned to the woman and extended a hand, "Thank you so much for inviting me."
Jo had watched the interaction, saw the change in Johnny's demeanor and questions bubbled up in her mind. She greeted the woman whom Johnny said was his only living relative with a warm smile anyway. "I'm glad you could make it, Sister Caroline. This is a special day for Johnny."
The nun nodded, "Yes. And I must thank you for writing me and keeping me informed on his injures and recovery. You are a special woman to take him in like that."
Jo looked over at Johnny who stood uncharacteristically still by his aunt's side but his eyes were bright and he smiled softly.
Sister Carolina turned back to Johnny, "I can't stay long; I have a flight back out tomorrow. I only came back for supplies." She sighed as she fingered the crucifix around her neck, "God's work is very important there and much needed by those people. I can't stay away from it long."
Johnny's face had fallen at her words and his eyes were pleading as he asked, "Can you at least stay to have something to eat?"
She shook her head, "I'm sorry Toka, no. I have a meeting with the Bishop at 4 then a prayer meeting with the other sisters at Vespers then I'm speaking at a fund raiser tonight in San Bernardino. We hope to raise enough money to get a new Oxygen machine."
"Here." Johnny reached into the back pocket of his shorts, pulled out two twenties from his wallet and handed them to his aunt. "Take this to help."
She kissed his cheek as she tucked the money away, "God will bless you for that."
Johnny looked around him with a contented smile, "HE already has, Ina." He looked back at his aunt, longing in his dark eyes, "I wish you could stay longer. I really would like to take you out to my ranch." Excitement came back into his face, "I've got a horse now and there are great trails to ride and . ."
She chuckled at his enthusiasm as she laid a finger on his lips. Instantly he quieted, getting still again. "You should thank God you have so much when there are so many who have so little." She chided him. He ducked his head and blushed. "I know." Came his quiet reply.
She patted his cheek and gave him a slight one armed hug. Then she made the sign of the cross over him as she recited something in Dahkota. He kept his eyes respectfully down until she finished then said, "He'cetu." softly. He looked up and sighed. She smiled then reached into the large black bag over her shoulder, "Oh! I brought you this." She pulled out a small long package wrapped in a scrap of brown paper. "One of the children made that for you. He shares your name, Juan that is, so he says you are his American brother."
"I'll send him a note next time I write you. You think he'd like a picture of the engine?" Johnny asked.
She chuckled as she shook her head, "Actually the picture of you and your squad disappeared out of my desk and one of the other sister's found it in the laundry, stuffed in a pocket." She frowned then, "He confessed and we had to punish him, as you well can expect."
Johnny frowned and it was clear to all around what he thought of that. "If I send him one, one just for him, will that help?"
His aunt looked at him for a long time as he faced her with pleading plain in his dark eyes. "Stealing is wrong, John." Her voice was firm.
Johnny nodded, "I know. But this would be just from me just for him, to thank him for that." He pointed to the gift she still held. They held each other's gaze for a long time then she dropped her gaze to her hand as she sighed. "I can't stop you from giving someone a gift." She admitted and Johnny broke out into smiles. Her own lips turned up slightly as she extended the package. "Here."
Johnny eagerly untied the bit of string then unrolled the paper revealing a cloth of bright colors. It was a simple man's handkerchief tie dyed in bright color splotches. He smiled, "It's beautiful. Tell him Gracias." Then he noticed something tied into one corner. He looked up at her with a puzzled expression. She smiled, "And that's from me." Then before he could undo the tight knot, she turned to Lina. "Lina Lopez, how nice to see you again. Please tell the ladies of your sewing circle we got the blankets for the clinic. They were perfect, just the right weight."
Lina smiled at her, "I will. Have a safe trip."
Sister Caroline smiled, "I will." She laid a hand on Johnny's cheek and he looked down at her, his eyes sad. "I'm sorry this is such a short trip. Maybe next time."
"Yeah," he said softly, "Maybe next time."
She patted his face, "Remember God loves you and so do I." Then she was gone. Johnny watched her leave, a variety of emotions on his face.
Lina watched her heart child, varied emotions traversing her face as well. "God's work is in more places than far off countries," she muttered softly, "Sometimes God's work can be found right next to you." Then she sighed heavily, crossed herself and muttered something quickly in Spanish.
"Momma . . . ." Chastised a soft voice and she sighed as she faced her daughter's reproachful look. "I know. Sometimes I have a evil tongue. I know she is doing good works but . . ." She looked over to where Johnny looked longingly after his aunt. Dulcia sighed, "I know too. But he has us," She waved her arm around her, "All of us." Lina looked around at the full yard and smiled as she hugged her daughter, "You are right, mi hija. God has blessed him—and us with him."
"Hey Gage!" Chet's shrill call brought Johnny's attention back to the here and now and he turned his head. Chet was shaking his head as he chuckled, "Man, you must really be bad if you even make a nun run off from ya!"
A dark look came across Johnny's handsome face, "A fool finds pleasure in mischief; but a man of understanding has wisdom. Proverbs 10:23" He spat out then walked away.
Chet stood stunned with his mouth slightly open, "What was that all about?" He asked Marco who had come up behind him. Marco shook his head, "Chet, me amigo, sometimes you are such an idiot."
Johnny sat back at the table where Dixie had bandaged him and continued to work on the knot. Finally he got it open and carefully unrolled the edge. Out fell a finely twisted bit of silver into his hand. He laid the cloth down and spread the lump out revealing a hand made silver chain with a enameled silver St. Joseph charm. He smiled softly.
"St. Joseph, the patron saint for protection. I guess she knows you well. " Dulcia's soft voice came and he looked up. "May I?" He extended his hand and she lifted it out. She turned it around and around, admiring the beauty of the chain and the intricate inlays. "Juanito! This is exquisite! Where did she find such a treasure?"
Johnny's smile was tender, "She made it." Was his simple reply. He reached for it and Dulcia willingly gave it back. He put it around his neck and the charm nestled itself just below his shirt collar.
The giggling of children caught both their attention and soon Johnny was surrounded by bouncing bodies. He laughed and with eyes sparkling again, he allowed himself to be drawn off into their games.
Dulcia wandered back over to where Jo was placing the last platter of cooked meats on the table. "So, how's Roy?"
Jo looked over to where Roy was dumping more ice into a cooler of sodas. "Dr. Early says he probably has a slight concussion so I gave him a couple aspirin."
Dulcia frowned, "Will he be ok?"
Jo laughed, "Oh yeah. Doctor told him to take it easy, no more beer and no napping until later." She smiled as she watched Roy watch his partner bound across the yard, "Like he's gonna fall asleep as long as Johnny's here."
"well it looks like everything is ready." Maggie said as she looked around, then her pretty face twisted in disgust as her eyes settled on Marc. "Seems some just couldn't wait."
Jo rolled her eyes then called out, "Kids? Get washed up. Time to eat!" She looked at Johnny. "That means you too, young man!" Her voice held her laughter as he made the same faces at her that Chris was making. Then Johnny led his entourage over to the garden hose where he helped each child wash their hands, getting his own clean as well. Soon squeals were breaking out as water was splashed on more than hands and faces.
Maggie grinned at her husband, "I think you better call your children too." Hank looked around, then bellowed, "Chow!" Instantly Mike, Marco, and Chet trotted over to the tables and began jockeying for a position. Maggie giggled as she discretely pointed to the 'children' playing with the water. Hank gave a weary sigh then obliged her with, "Gage! Come on, take a break from tormenting the kids and eat something, man!"
Johnny looked up and grinned crookedly, "Coming Cap!" then trotted over, a kid under each arm and one attached to his leg, one on his back with legs wrapped around his waist and arms wrapped around his neck, and a big grin on his face. Jo and Dulcia began peeling kids off him as he rubbed his hands together, his sparkling eyes looking up and down the heavily laden table. "Man! Does that all look good!"
A hand on his shoulder pushed him down, "Here, junior, sit here." Johnny sat and smiled at Dulcia who was next to him, Marco grinned at him from beyond her. Roy sat next to him, Jo beside him. Across from him, Marc sat already well into his plate, Tammy on his right, Dixie then Brackett to his left.
Roy looked up and down the table, saw everyone was settled and said, "Lord, thank you for good friends and great food. Amen. Let's eat!"
"I like your kinda prayer Roy." Chet chortled as he began filling a plate. All around everyone was doing the same and soon there were only the sounds of eating broken by occasional conversation.
Kent watched in wide eyed awe as Johnny grabbed a bun and two large patties off the meat plate then made one massively loaded double cheeseburger. In a little more than six bites, it was gone and the Indian proceeded to woof down the other items piled high on his plate as fast as if the tones could sound in any second. All the while he was talking with the long haired spic tart sitting next to Marco, barely clearing his mouth of food each time he talked. His attention was focused on her as he reached for the plate of patties again. His hand jarringly encountered another, pulling his attention back to the table and away from the conversation.
Marc rubbed at his hand, scowling at the Indian. "For cryin' out loud, you idiot, slow down! This isn't some third world country or your reservation; you're not starving!"
Johnny froze, his eyebrows raised in shock. Marc didn't realize conversation all around had stopped as he further chastised the younger man. "And leave some for others! Don't be so gluttonous; you've had two patties already!"
"Two?" Hank's sharp voice caught the attention of all. Marc looked over at the captain, his mouth opening to add more comments about the now slumping paramedic. However, Cap beat anything Marc might have been about to say by saying, "Good Lord Man! You mean to tell me you've only eaten two so far, Johnny?" His voice held his shock. He immediately grabbed two of the fattest patties and plopped them on Johnny's plate. "We can't have that! Why, we have to have been sitting here for at least twenty minutes and you've only eaten two little burgers!"
Marc's mouth dropped open in surprise. The captain was serious! He was upset, like Marc had hoped, but not in the way Marc had expected.
"It's not so bad, Cap." Mike chimed up from where he munched a chili cheesedog. "It was a fully loaded Gage double burger."
"And he's eaten three chicken legs." Chet added.
Marco nodded, "And he's eaten two of Momma's tamales and I think I saw him eat at least four deviled eggs."
"That doesn't include the celery sticks and potato chips he was munching while we were putting the food out." Jo smiled as she wiped beans off Jenny's face. "And I know I gave him two scoops of potato salad and two more of beans and they're gone now."
Brackett looked concerned, "Johnny? Are you feeling alright?" He looked the paramedic over carefully.
Marc's gaze went from one to the other, his mouth hanging open in shock. These people were actually encouraging this . .. this redskinned refugee to eat them out of house and home!
When Marc had started his chastising, Johnny had pulled back, his hands dropping to his lap as his shoulders slumped. As his friend's cataloged his food intake, his face colored with embarrassment but now he was looking from one to the other and could see the concern in their faces. 'They've been watching what I'm eating,' he mused to himself, 'And they're pushing me to eat more?'
Now Roy nudged him gently, "You eat as much as you want. You always know that the ladies make plenty."
Jo leaned over to caress Johnny's cheek, "That's right. In fact, we counted on your appetite."
On the other side of Tammy, Lina smiled, "Mi hijo, you make us happy to see you eat." She glared undisguisedly at Marc.
"Here." Johnny looked down in front of him as he noticed that while the others had been talking, Maggie had dutifully refilled his plate with more treats while Becky Stoker had calmly recreated a Gage double. He looked around, his face still showing his astonishment.
Dixie nodded toward his now full plate, "Eat up Johnny. You're still seven pounds below weight."
At that Cap scowled, "Seven pounds? Seven pounds below normal weight or his normal?"
Brackett made a face, "His normal. He's got to get another six pounds beyond that to be at normal for his age and height."
Johnny sighed, "Ok. Ok I get the idea. I'll eat." He picked up his spoon and filled his mouth with macaroni salad. Roy smiled at him as he tousled his hair, "Good boy junior."
Everyone laughed and the conversations went back to previous levels. Marc turned his attention to his own meal but the scowl never left his face. Why were they all so concerned over the eating of this refugee? And the amount he was eating! How could he be underweight if he ate like that? Then he nodded to himself, 'Maybe that's why he was invited to Roy's son's party, because he doesn't eat right.' Now he shook his head, 'Lord knows it can be difficult to get meals sometimes with the amount of runs we can get. And if he has no food at home, well, maybe the only food he gets is what little he can get at the station." He nodded, satisfied with his deductions. "That's it. This is a charity case. They just feel sorry for him.'
Oblivious to Marc's thoughts, Johnny was feeling a warm glow to think his shiftmates were still concerned over him. Soon everyone had had their fill and even Johnny had slowed down. More conversation came as people settled back. Jo looked brightly up and down the table, "I hope everyone left room for cake and ice cream!" Several groans echoed around her as she laughed. She looked over at her husband's partner, "Johnny?"
He made a thoughtful face, "Yeah . .. there's room, but to really enjoy it I'll wait a few minutes." He grinned saucily at her, "Then I can have a piece of both the strawberry side and the yellow cake side."
More groans sounded and several wadded up napkins pelted him. He giggled and ducked them. "Hey Gage! Since you're the only one of us who can still move, why doncha go get refills for the cooler. Beers gone!" Chet announced.
Johnny made a face at his nemesis even as he stood up, "Beer in the garage, Roy?"
Roy nodded, "Need help?" Johnny shook his head, "Nah, I got it. Needed to go in the house anyway." He rolled his eyes, "You know." Roy chuckled as he shook his head.
"Hey George! Don't drink it all yourself. Bring some out here for the rest of us!" Marc chortled under his breath. Dixie looked at him strangely and turned to give Brackett a raised eyebrow. On his other side, Tammy elbowed him sharply as she gushed over a article on repeat head injures she'd read in the JAMA to Joe Early who patiently listened as he ate, smiling a little to himself since he was one of the collaborators of the article she was badly quoting.
Johnny heard the comment too but chose to ignore it. He headed to the bathroom and did what he needed first then headed toward the garage.