Caught
By Marty P.
Johnny and Roy traveled around the neighborhood calling and whistling, “Feathers! Here boy!”
When all of a sudden Johnny exclaimed. “Oh, man!”
“Did ya see the dog? Where is he?” Roy glanced in all directions without spotting the canine.
Johnny rubbed his forehead and then scraped his hand down the side of his face. “Roy, I don’t believe I did that!”
“What Johnny?”
“I put the drug box in the ambulance. I was on autopilot and just slipped it in there like one of us was headed to the hospital with the patients.” Johnny plopped down onto the curb and put his elbows on his knees, propping up his chin.
Roy joined him. They would continue the dog search until they found him. That would redeem the situation. “You know we’re gonna be in trouble?”
“I know Roy but it was an accident. We? But I’m the one who put it in the ambulance.”
“Look. We’re partners. I coulda done it as easily as you did.”
Johnny heard a faint barking and looked toward the house behind them. It had wooden lattice that hid the space under the front porch. He walked to the steps calling Feathers’ name in a soothing voice. “I think I found him.” Johnny hunched over and found a hole. “C’mon boy.” With some coaxing the dog finally appeared. But he was favoring his front left leg.
“Well, headquarters for Animal Control is just a few streets over. Why don’t we have them take a look at the dog?” Roy gathered him up in his arms and headed to the squad.
“I’ll drive.” Johnny announced as he went toward the driver’s seat.
Roy marched up to his partner and placed the dog in his arms. “That’s okay. I’ll drive.” He held the door open and Johnny had no choice but to climb in.
Animal Control took a quick look at the dog and bandaged his sore paw. “He’ll be fine. Is he a stray?” Doc Coolidge massaged the dog’s head and then put away his tape.
“Nope. His owner is worried about him and waiting anxiously at Rampart.” Johnny carried the dog out to the squad and they pulled up to the hospital’s emergency entrance.
Dr. Brackett saw them as they entered. “I need to talk to you both.”
“Sure Doc but could we take this pooch to his master?” Johnny trotted down the hall and handed the animal to Roy. “I wanna make sure it’s okay to go in.” He peeked in and saw Dr. Early and Dixie just finishing the cast on the boy’s wrist.
“Look what we found!” Roy brought the puppy in and the boy’s face lit up with pleasure. They stayed in the room a few minutes and left smiling until they saw Dr. Brackett.
“You wanted to see us?” Roy’s face grew solemn.
Dr. Brackett motioned them toward his office. “Why don’t we talk in here?” As the paramedics entered they couldn’t miss the black drug box sitting on the middle of his desk. The doctor sat down in his chair and leaned back.
Roy sank into a seat and Johnny perched on the arm of the other chair. “It was an accident, Dr. Brackett.” Johnny explained realizing his excuse sounded lame.
Kel Brackett leaned forward, laced his fingers and put them on the desk. “The ambulance attendant left it at the base station. It just emphasizes what Brice was telling me several days ago.”
“Brice?” Johnny’s mouth dropped open as if he was ready to swallow a fly.
Roy jumped into the conversation. “He said the paramedics would get separated from their drug box?”
“Not exactly. He mentioned there were times it would be helpful if the paramedics had a backup drug box.”
“He did? Well, we do carry extra IVs and some things like that in the trauma box.” Johnny informed him as he slid into the chair.
Dr. Brackett moved his UFO shaped lamp out of the way; it was blocking his view of Johnny. “The point is there are times that each of you might need a drug box. Now I’m not saying we duplicate both of them. Just put often used medication in a smaller box to have on hand when the need arises.”
“Are you thinking of times like that multi-car pileup we had on the I-5?” Roy was thinking aloud. “Or if we each had to ride in an ambulance or there was a major disaster?”
The doctor rose from his chair and parked on the corner of his desk. “Yes. That is what Brice meant. So, it’ll be a matter for discussion at our meeting on Friday.” He reached over and gave the black tackle box to Johnny.
“Thanks Doc.” Johnny’s gratitude was evident in his voice. He and Roy were ready to leave when Dr. Brackett came to their side.
“Gentlemen, make this your only accident. Don’t even think about this happening again.”
“Yes sir.” Johnny replied, chastised.
THE END
*The author realizes losing or misplacing a drug box is a serious matter. The fictionalized account was done in fun.
