The big day had arrived. The open house was here. The men of the station juggled shifts for coverage. The tables had been set up, the station doors were open. No traditional pancake breakfast, it was a buffet of lumpia, tacos, bao, and other international treats.

John stood at his table with all the brochures laid out, 6 different languages, a glossy finish, and with a display of the services offered by the station to its area. Gage along with the engine had passed out flyers and brochures whenever they were good, hoping for a small but good turnout.

The open house had officially been opened for an hour, thankfully it was an overcast day so there was that. The other men of the engine had a table with displays of their equipment and services. All the men rocked from side to side waiting for someone to show up.

John looked out to the empty street but his mind was on Sandy. The last few times she hadn't met him for breakfast and hadn't returned his messages. Itching his dimples he patiently waited.

51

John yawned and watched an unknown car pull up in front of the station. When the passengers got out of the car, John had to take a deep breath.

It was Brackett, Early, Dixie and someone he didn't recognize. Dressed in their civvies , John was not expecting them and smiled, hiding his deep seated anger at the contingent from Rampart.

Putting on his game face, John smiled.

"Welcome to Station 118, the best in the department." John said. "This is the equipment used to treat patients and these are the brochures we use to inform our patients and family of what's going on."

John counted to ten then watched as Rampart fingered the brochures.

"So who designed these? " Brackett asked smugly.

"I did, with a little help from my friends. Station 118 has a different demographic than most other stations. With the influx of Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean, Mexican, and other groups. We strive to make our patients comfortable in horrifying circumstances." John explained.

Both Early and Brackett hurmped, but both men took a few of the brochures. Then looked at him. However, a few more cars pulled up, disgorging all three shifts of Station 51. Surrounding Rampart and asking questions of John. Most of the men had shit-eating grins on their faces, making the doctors and nurse feel uncomfortable. They quickly left.

John finally sighed watching the car disappear.

"So Gage, were they giving you a hard time?" Chet sneered.

"Nothing, I can't handle Chet. Thanks for asking though." John grinned.

"Anything for you babe." Chet patted John on his arm.

Before John knew the station was swamped with local people, children were translating for their parents, eating the food, and a generally good mood filled Station 118. John had to refill his table 3 times and the food was replenished several times too. By the end of it, everyone was exhausted but happy.

51

John drove to the pizza place to celebrate a successful open house. His shift had been covered so Roy suggested pizza and beer to celebrate. Before he left he called Sandy from the station, he got a hold of her, but she claimed it was last minute and she was busy. John frowned wondering what he had done.

Trying to look on the bright side, he pulled his motorcycle up to the pizza place, opening the door to pizza goodness. He found all of 51 laughing and patting each other on the back.

"About time you got here, you're a couple of beers behind." Stanley grinned.

"Thanks Cap." John slid next to him, poured himself a glass from the pitcher, and grabbed a paper plate and two slices of pizza. After eating he realized he had some good friends and a good job.

Within a few hours, it was only John and the DeSoto family. The kids were playing arcade games.

"So where is Sandy?" Joann asked.

John shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't seen her for a while. I asked her to join us but she said she couldn't."

"Oh." Joann said and frowned.

"Hey it's okay Joanne. I mean I have all of you guys, things will work out. I have to believe that you know." John smiled and sipped on his beer.

They eventually parted ways and John headed home, knowing it would be another brutal week of shifts.