Just a week after the accident that had changed the lives of those closest to Johnny, perhaps permanently, the station 51 crew and the DeSoto family gathered at Captain Stanley's house for breakfast. The group had promised to meet Doctor Druthers at New Horizons at eleven a.m., meaning that they had to leave by ten at the latest to ensure they made it in plenty of time. Figuring that it would be best to take as few vehicles as possible and with the desire to share information they each had been given by the psychologist, they felt a leisurely breakfast would be best. Irene was more than happy to help out, even if she wasn't invited along with the others to visit the facility.
I guess with already eight people going, the people at the nursing home or whatever they want to call it now, assumes that is more than enough people, she sighed to herself. I have a feeling that the place isn't used to so many people coming in just for a tour.
Despite how worn out Joanne was looking, Irene knew that sometimes it might be better to keep busy and at first tried to enlist Joanne's help. When that failed, she began just chattering about nonsense things, before asking about Johnny. Again, Joanne failed to respond much to that topic and Irene figured when facing a tour of a place where she may be placing a family member, she wouldn't feel like talking either. Instead of pressing Jo to talk or help, she sent her out with another pot of coffee and directed her to just sit and relax until everything was done. Soon, a buffet of pancakes, French toast, bacon, ham, sausage, eggs, toast, fruit salad and hash browns lined the kitchen table. All the possible condiments that one could want with those items were also present. Satisfied she might just have enough to feed five firemen, two growing children, as well as herself and Joanne, she set down the plates, silverware and napkins as she called everyone to help themselves to breakfast.
"Wow! Thank you hun!" Hank said, giving his wife a kiss.
Smiling at him, she answered, "No problem, I know it's going to be a long day. The girls made sure to pack some snacks and lunches for everyone that are in the fridge so you won't have to stop for lunch on the way back. We also got some activities together the kids might enjoy."
Echoing their thanks, the men allowed the kids and women to go first, before following. Settling back down in the living room where ever they could find room, at first there was silence, save for the noise of silverware on plates and the sounds of eating. When the appetites finally started to be tamed, Hank cleared his throat to get the attention of everyone. Knowing ahead of time that Chris and Jenny could say, he began discussing what the crew had gone over with Doctor Druthers the evening before.
"Dr. Druthers met with the four of us for a bit by ourselves," he began. "I guess it was to find how we see our roles, the other crew member's role and Johnny's role. Personally, in the brief session with me, he asked if I felt responsible at all for what took place."
"And do you, Cap?" Roy asked looking at him.
Sighing, Hank looked at his men, "You know I feel like we are more than just people who work together well. To me, you guys are more than my friends, you're my family. I do tend to feel like a father almost, especially when you guys get on my nerves, but I wouldn't trade you or the job for anything. It took a couple of days, as well as a stern lecture…"
"Actually, a few," Irene interrupted with a small smile.
"Alright, a few," Hank grudgingly admitted. "But, as much as I wish I could do things different and as much as I'm sure this incident will bother me for a while, I know in my head I couldn't do anything different. Our first priority is to the civilian and we all did our job. Unfortunately, things just conspired against John this time."
"My session was mostly the same," Mike took over. "I hate being on the sideline, but in the group, they made me realize if it wasn't for keeping the water pressure, the fire could have spiraled out of control and things could have gotten worse. Like Cap, it'll take a while to go from my head to my heart."
"Same here," Chet said. "But it helped that at least I was able to be there a bit for Johnny. Not much, but some."
"I felt useless, but I also understood why things had to continue as they were after the explosion. I've been talking with my priest a lot, which has helped, as well as my family," Marco said. "One thing we haven't heard though is how you are dealing with this Roy."
Taking a deep breath to hold back the sudden rush of tears that threaten to escape, Roy confessed, "It's difficult. I keep hearing the sounds and knowing that I can't go to him because I have two patients who I have to stay by is hard. I remember being desperate to get Brackett on the biophone so I could have permission to go to Johnny. Then, seeing him, well, I've seen him in worse situations, but still…
"Him waking up though, I don't know if I can ever forget the fear I heard in his voice," Roy said, his voice and body shaking. "I guess right now, I'm just trying to get through things hour by hour. If it wasn't for all of you in this room, I'm not sure what I'd do."
Seeing how close their dad was to the edge of breaking down, Chris and Jenny set their plates down and wrapped their arms around him tightly. After a minute, Roy took his hand down from his face and grabbed hold of his two precious children, grateful for the simplest things in life at that moment. Feeling his wife reach over and squeeze his neck, he knew that if there was nothing else to hold onto in this world, these three people would be a reason to keep fighting and to keep hoping for something better, no matter the situation.
Releasing everyone, Roy apologized, "Sorry, I don't know what that was, it's just…"
"Sweetie, don't apologize," Joanne told him sternly with a look of deep love in her emerald eyes. "I'm right there with you. Heck, I think everyone is."
A mumble of agreement was heard before Hank cut in, "I hate to move things along considering this, but it is getting closer to the time to leave and well, I know you are curious what we talked about Roy, just as much as we are curious about what kept you."
Nodding, Roy told about the tremors he at first thought were seizures and the exam Johnny had had to go through. Explaining that Doctor Early found no sign of increase in pressure and in fact, the intracranial pressure had gone down enough that the medication was reduced the previous afternoon, he felt it was a side effect of the brain injury that was just now showing itself.
"It's called myoclonus, which is a fancy way of saying the muscles are spasming. It can occur after a number of things, including brain injuries. Even normal people can experience them I guess, such as when they hiccup," Roy said as he summarized the information booklet he had gotten before leaving the hospital. "It's something that might improve, or it might not. It might go away, or it might not."
"So, we got to wait and see," Chet said, clearly frustrated as he ran his fingers through his brown curly hair.
"Yea," Roy sighed, also frustrated.
Getting up to pace, Chet tried explaining what his brain was thinking, "How can you just sit there….so, well, calm Roy? Aren't you upset or anything?"
"Calm down," Marco told him, stepping in his path. "You got to remember he was given this information before us, so he's had a chance to process it."
Watching their two uncles argue, Jenny and Chris were startled when their mom finally let out a long whistle by placing her fingers between her lips.
"Separate corners you two, now," Jo demanded, standing up with her hands on her hips. "First of, this is getting us nowhere. Secondly, remember there are two young people in this room. Thirdly…"
"Thirdly," Hank cut in, seeing her falter for another reason. "Roy has enough to deal with without you two twits behaving like this. This situation is bad enough without you two going at one another, understand?"
"Yes, Captain," the two said remorsefully.
"I get it guys," Roy said, attempting to make peace. "I'm just as frustrated as you both and wish that there were clear-cut answers, but there aren't any right now. So, until we do, we just have to figure out how to stick together. Like I told Chris and Jenny, although Jo and I are more than willing to do what it takes to help Johnny out, if you feel it is too difficult, too stressful, too…whatever, that is fine. We both would understand and not hold it against you if you couldn't deal and decided that you needed to remove yourself from this situation. We would not place any blame on you at all, no matter what."
"Speaking from personal experience, this is not unusual when you first get a diagnoses," Mike spoke up. "If things stay the same for Johnny, things will settle down some, although how much things will settle down depends on his level of function."
Seeing confused looks from many members of the informal gathering, Mike explained, "Level of function would mean in this case, what age he believes he is, what he is capable of doing for himself, what difficulties he may have from the injury, things like that. The doctors who are in charge of his case would know a lot more, as there will be tests they can run when he is awake and can stay awake for longer time periods I'm sure."
"I asked Doctor Early," he shrugged, seeing their looks of amazement. "It's hard to remember all the questions you have or even know what questions to ask when you are just finding things out. A lot will be discovered after Johnny is released I'm sure, but at least the doctors at Rampart can give you a general idea of what he is and isn't capable of."
"Thanks," Joanne smiled weakly. "You're right, we never would have thought of that. Not even Dr. Druthers has. I mean, Doctor Brackett is sending out forms trying to find information about his childhood to help us in case this, well, I guess condition is a good term, last longer than we hope. But honestly, we're clueless. Roy and I want to help Johnny out, but we really don't want Chris or Jenny to feel neglected or as though we love them any less."
"Mom!" Chris whined. "We know that despite the fact you'd hafta help out Uncl, I mean Johnny out, it doesn't mean you love us any less than you do. You've explained that fact so many times over the years when dad or he got hurt, or when dad was at work and me and Jenny had an activity at the same time that we get it by now. Besides, we got permission to rat on you and dad if we feel like you're not listening to us or paying us enough attention to anyone here."
"That's right," Jenny said proudly with a grin on her face. "And we may not get that it'll be hard, but so what?"
"All of us are willing to help out as long as you need us to," Hank told the DeSoto's. "That's what we told the doc yesterday and all of us meant it. We're a family and family helps each other out, no matter what."
"We also talked about ways we can support the kids," Mike said. "If you don't mind, I'd love the chance to get to know them better."
"Same here," Chet said with what looked like an evil grin.
Wiping away a few random tears, Roy couldn't help but tease Chet by saying, "Umm, I'm not sure I want the Phantom around my kids. If you do come, I'm doing a pat down and a car search, got it?"
"You are no fun dad!" Chris complained.
"And no offense, but do I gotta hand out with them," Jenny tried whispering to her mom.
Unsuccessful, the men tried hard to hide their smiles.
"Actually, Jenny, if you'd like, with my daughters being too busy for me all the time, I was hoping that I'd be able to steal you away now again for shopping trips, play some of the board games I got around here, I think you might even persuade me to roller skate again if you try hard enough," Irene told the girl.
Wide-eyed, Jenny looked at her, "Really Aunt Irene? Are you sure you want to do all that?"
"Oh, yes, I actually find myself bored around the house a lot now and with Susan going off to college in a few months, the house will be empty. It'll be fun having someone around to do the girl stuff with again," she reassured her.
"Cool," Jenny said with a smile that lit up her face.
Knowing her daughter could be easily distracted and ramble on about what she'd like to do for hours, Joanne stepped in and asked what else was discussed during the therapy session that Roy had missed.
"I think after coming up with ideas on how to help you guys out, despite the promotions coming up for our crew, we just made sure that everyone knew where to go to if they need someone to talk to about things. I believe the doctor was going to have us go to the department psychologist, but felt that considering what we talked about in the group, there wasn't a need to put that as a requirement. He seems to trust that we will all look out for one another," Hank summed up. "Speaking of promotions, I know that you were supposed to attend training for being a captain in a couple of weeks. I wasn't sure what to tell the higher-ups about what your plans were considering everything. They did say that they were willing to work with you and push it back for a bit, although they aren't sure how long. My guess is however long it would take to go over the training for the engineers."
"How long would that be?" Roy asked.
"Well, let's see," Hank mused out loud. "Captain training is supposed to be 20 days long and you complete that on your days off. That starts on June 1. Engineer training begins July 6th and will be 7 days long. Chief train begins then too, but considering a lot of it is similar to being a captain and the training can continue when the chief is assigned, that doesn't matter. So, I'd say that the department heads would figure out where to place everyone by mid-July, end of July at the latest."
"And you think they would be fine with me waiting a bit longer than that to decide? I'd really like to wait until the doctors have a more definite picture of what will take place with Johnny if he is able to come home with us. The current estimated time for the bruising and such to heal in his brain is about three to five months, with a good idea of how things might be around three to four months," Roy explained. "If Johnny is allowed to come home with us, things go well, the kids are able to handle things and his condition doesn't change, I might actually take up Dr. Brackett's offer of training new paramedics."
Nodding his head, Hank wasn't too surprised. Being a paramedic trainer would mean being home every weekday, except for when field training wasn't required. It also meant weekends would be free for family time and summers would have a lighter load than during the school year. Going that route would help Jo out a lot if John stayed seven years.
"I understand, pal. I'll let the brass know you need some time considering everything. I'm sure we can work something out," Hank said.
Glancing at his stainless steel watch, he noticed it was nearing ten o'clock.
"Alright, let's get these dishes put away, clean up the kitchen and get the dishes washed me," Hank commanded gently.
Used to following orders, all four of his crew, as well as Jenny and Chris, did as he asked. With so much help, chaos soon reigned and fearing for the state of her kitchen, Irene shooed everyone out.
"I appreciate the help, but really, its fine, I can handle it," she assured them. "Now, you guys and gals need to get going."
Reaching into the refrigerator, she pulled out the prepared lunches and handed them to Mike and Marco. Pulling two small backpacks full of activity books, pencil colors, a couple of books that the kids would like, and some snacks, Irene handed the appropriate backpack to the right child.
"This one was made for you Jenny, while this one is for you Chris. But," she warned. "You can't open them until you get on the road, got it?"
"Yes, Aunt Irene," came two down casted replies as both Chris and Jenny were eager to see what was inside.
"What do you say to her?" Jo asked.
"Thanks!" Jenny bounced over to give her aunt a hug and a kiss.
"Yea, thanks, this is so cool," Chris said with a grin.
"You both are very welcome," Irene smiled back at them, amazed at how well they were dealing with things and just glad that such a simple gift could bring them so much joy.
"Alright, everyone into the bus!" Chet announced, glad he had taken his brother-in-law up on the offer of using his vehicle.
It may be an older VW Bus, but considering it would sit all eight of them comfortably, it'd be worth any possible babysitting duties his sister would try to stick me with as repayment, Chet thought.
Groaning, Marco asked an obvious question, "Please tell us it won't break down on us so we'll end up pushing it the rest of the way!"
"No," Chet said exasperated. "Jeeze, that was one time and a while ago. Besides, this isn't even mine, it's my brother-in-law's and he takes real good car of it, trust me."
"That's what we're worried about," Hank said with a sigh. "Alright, you heard the man, on the bus!"
Looking up as the group, minus his wife, scrambled to comply, Hank pleaded, Please, just let us get there in one piece. Without having to push the vehicle. And maybe if you could please make sure this visit goes well and that we'll never have to visit this place again, that'd be great.
Finished with his prayer, he gave Irene a quick kiss on the lips and promised they would call before they left New Horizons.