IN GOOD COMPANY
PART 4
Hank rolled over and allowed himself to be fully immersed in the gradual transition from asleep to awake. He had long ago taught himself to wake up instantly from any stage of sleep, but he far preferred a gentler segue. It was a luxury he was rarely afforded, so when he was, like this morning, he took full advantage.
He had no idea what time it was, but felt no temptation to open his eyes and look at the clock. The bedroom window was open with the shade partially raised, so he knew the sun was up. He took a deep breath and smiled. Grace. He reached over to where he expected to find his wife beside him, but he was alone in the bed. Still reluctant to open his eyes and admit that the night was over, he breathed in again, inhaling deeply through his nose. Nope, he hadn’t made a mistake.
Hank rolled onto his back and slowly opened his eyes. Grace was standing next to the bed, wearing her summer robe with a towel wrapped around her shoulder length hair. She was standing next to the small table that held their new boombox, looking at him and smiling.
“Morning,” Hank grinned. “What are you doing?”
Grace’s face was relaxed, her eyes sparkling with amusement and something else. “I’m watching you and trying to decide if I should be pleased or insulted that you were checking to see if I was here by sniffing the air instead of opening your eyes and looking for me.”
Hank felt his face flush with embarrassment and something else. “Oh you should definitely be pleased. I can honestly say that you are the only person who I can identify by scent. This morning it’s strawberry shampoo and ivory soap with that special something that makes it all your own.”
Grace smiled and looked back at the boom box. Hank looked at the clock. “It’s 8:30. You let me sleep so late.”
His wife of 15 years looked back at him. “I thought you deserved something special today. I wanted you to have an unforgettable birthday morning.”
“Grace, I know we’re having the party today, but my birthday was eight days ago. As I recall we had a lovely family dinner and a birthday cake that night. You even gave me the Beatles collection that I asked for.”
Grace took the towel off her head and let her hair fall free. “Well now Hank, you woke up that morning in a bed at the station.” She reached over and hit the play button on the tape. “I could hardly have woken you up that morning in a way befitting your birthday. You would have been fired.”
Hank grinned. Grace was swaying with the soundtrack she had selected for the scene playing out. Paul McCartney sang, “She gives me everything and tenderly. The kiss my lover brings, she brings to me, and I love her.”
Hank held up the blankets and Grace climbed back into bed in a move befitting her name. He didn’t care that he was slightly off key when he joined in the chorus.
“A love like ours, could never die, as long as I have you near me.”
~~~~~~~~~~
As the morning progressed, Hank and Grace continued to serenade each other with Beatle songs as they prepared for the guests who would be descending upon the house in a few short hours. Grace was making dip and Hank was cutting vegetables. They were trading lines of “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” when the girls entered the kitchen.
Karen objected. “Oh GROSS. Come on you guys. Don’t you think you’re getting a bit old for this? It’s getting weird.”
“And creepy,” Janet added.
Hank responded by pulling Grace into his chest and spinning her around while singing, “And when I touch you I feel …”. He was stopped by Grace’s hand over his mouth as she pushed him away.
“There’s nothing weird or creepy about it, and we’re not getting old. Hopefully someday the two of you will find someone you love as much as we love each other,” Grace told her daughters.
“Just because I love him doesn’t mean I’m going to sing to him and dance in the kitchen,” Karen told her.
“Well,” Hank grinned at his 13 year old, “that will be his loss because you have a lovely voice.”
Karen’s eyes widened. “How would you know? I don’t walk around the house singing to people.”
“No, but you do sing sometimes. And you have a lovely voice.”
“Really, Dad, you shouldn’t sing in public. Or dance either. It’s embarrassing.” This came from 11 year old Janet.
Hank couldn’t resist. He picked up Janet before she could object and swung her around like he used to when she was five. “You mean like this?” he asked and kissed her on the head as he returned her to the floor.
He got his hoped for response. Janet giggled before she protested with an affected, “Daaaaad, cut it out.”
“Okay, princess, I’ll cut it out if the two of you go set up the card tables in the backyard. We’re running out of time.”
Karen answered. “We’ll set up the back yard if you two promise no more singing or dancing. And especially no more kissy kissy.”
“I promise you, your old man won’t embarrass his sophisticated and mature teenage daughter. Okay, pumpkin?”
Again, he got the response he wanted. “Dad, you stopped calling me that when I was eight.” She sounded indignant, but her expression betrayed her pleasure.
“I know, but I was thinking of starting again. Now go set up the backyard. I’ll be there in a minute. We’re cutting it way too close.”
“We wouldn’t be ‘cutting it close’ if the two of you hadn’t slept so late,” Karen pointed out as she headed for the back door.
Grace gave Hank a warning look so he just said, “Maybe I should start calling you pumpkin again this afternoon at the cookout.”
“Daaaad! Don’t you dare.”
Grace stepped in. “He won’t. Now go, we have work to do.” After they exited, she turned back and looked at her husband. “You, my friend, are a troublemaker.”
“I know. Now quick, one more kiss while no one is looking.”
Grace shook her head, but also stood on her tip toes and kissed her husband before pointing him back to the cutting board.
“Yuck!”
Hank turned to see Janet standing in the kitchen. “I thought you were setting up the tables.”
“I thought you were done with the kissy kissy stuff. Auntie Babs and Aunt Margaret are here.” She shook her head and repeated, “Yuck,” and left.
~~~~~~~~~~
“Chris and Jen! Stop running around and take that basket out to the car right now. We’re supposed to be picking Johnny up in just a few minutes.”
Roy frowned as Joanne rolled her eyes at him, but grabbed the lawn chairs he had gathered from the back patio and followed his two excited children into the garage where they deposited the items in the back of Joanne’s car.
“Now don’t take off you two, there’s a few more things your mom wants packed in here before we leave.”
“Okay dad,” the kids echoed in unison.
Chris and Jen raced their father back into the kitchen, excitedly grabbing first one thing then the other in their hurry to finish. Roy felt the typical fatherly frustration building until he caught sight of his wife’s face. The happy look that that started in her eyes and built into a full blown smile at her mouth made him take a deep breath and try to relax and enjoy.
“They’re just excited, Roy. These picnics and get-togethers are just as much fun for them as for you.”
Roy grabbed his wife around the waist for a quick hug and kiss then released her.
“You’re right. I’m just anxious to get going and want to allow enough time to get Johnny in the car and then settled at Cap’s.
Joanne’s mother got up from the table where she’d been doing a crossword puzzle, seemingly oblivious to the process of getting ready.
“Why don’t you just drive your own car to go get that friend of yours? Why do you have to make Joanne and the children help with him?”
There was a moment of cool silence before Roy quietly answered his mother-in-law.
“It would be hard to get Johnny into my pickup, so it makes more sense to pick him up in Joanne’s station wagon.”
“Well then why not take that little sporty car you keep holding onto? You might as well get some use out of it instead of just letting it sit in the garage.”
Roy cleared his throat, tried to count to ten then sighed with relief when Joanne stepped over to the table.
“Mother, you know that car is too small for Johnny in his condition. And Roy will keep that car just as long as he likes. That is one treasure I won’t ask him to part with.”
“Well, I don’t understand it, not one bit. What a young couple with two children needs with a third car. It’s just an extravagance if you ask me.”
“Let’s not worry about it anymore, mother.” Joanne tried to smooth over. “Do you have everything you need for the day?”
With a firm pat on her mother’s shoulder, Joanne turned and winked at Roy. He hoped his thank-you was evident in the smile he flashed at her. But the older lady wasn’t done trying to manipulate their plans.
“Joanne, I think I’ve changed my mind. There will just be too many people there, and all those children running around. I believe I will just stay here at the house and watch a movie or something.”
Roy felt a sudden surge of something close to joy. But it was immediately squashed when his sweet wife turned back to her mom.
“Oh Mother, you know you’ll enjoy it. And don’t forget that Captain Stanley’s sisters will be there, and you’ve had a wonderful time getting to know them. Didn’t you all discuss your favorite recipes when you met for lunch last week? I thought that’s why you made your special Pineapple Upside Down Cake.”
A variety of emotions played across the older lady’s face, and Roy found himself holding his breath. But the kids chose just that moment to run back through the kitchen, excited voices urging the grownups to “hurry up before they missed the picnic.”
“Oh, all right dear, I guess you’re right. Margaret insists her Bacon Spinach Salad is to die for, so I really should be there to sample it. Just give me a minute to get my purse.”
Roy looked at his wife with something akin to a “why did you do that” look but Joanne simply stretched up to give him a quick peck on the cheek.
“Come on, kids!” She hollered. “Your Uncle Johnny is waiting!”
With a quick look around to make sure she hadn’t missed anything, Joanne followed the children to the car. Roy dutifully waited to follow his mother-in-law out to the station wagon, stopping to open the door for her even though her “harrumph” showed she didn’t really appreciate his effort.
Climbing into the driver’s seat, Roy backed the car down the driveway and headed towards Johnny’s. If not for the kids, the ten minute drive would’ve been unbearable thanks to his mother-in-law, but Chris and Jen were so busy talking about the picnic, the Stanley’s swimming pool and seeing Uncle Johnny that Roy found himself relaxing and enjoying the ride. When he pulled up to Johnny’s apartment complex, he was surprised to see that his partner had already made his way out to the parking lot and was sitting on a bench in the shade. Quickly parking in the nearest spot, Roy and Joanne exited after clearly reminding the kids that they needed to stay in their seats.
“Hi, Johnny, how are you feeling?” Joanne cheerfully greeted him.
“What in the world are you doing out here? I told you I’d be right over to help you get down here.” Roy questioned.
“Hi Joanne, I’m feeling good. Thanks for asking!” Johnny grinned happily.
“Hi Dad. I managed quite well, thanks for noticing.” Johnny grumbled.
Roy felt properly chastised until he noticed his partner winking conspiratorially at his wife behind his back.
“Okay, okay, what’s going on here?” Roy challenged lightly.
Johnny laughed, and Roy thought it was one of the nicest sounds he’d heard in a long time.
“Nothing, Dad.” Johnny answered casually. “I just got a little help from a neighbor. Now let’s go to a party.”
Roy helped his partner to his feet and waited patiently as Johnny got his balance. Then with his cane carefully held in one hand, Johnny moved slowly towards the car, a DeSoto on each side.
It was good to see Johnny on his feet again, even though that term was somewhat relative. There had been a lot of discussion as to whether he should attend today, but in the end they all agreed that being with his shift mates and their families would be the best medicine. Too many days alone in a small apartment had played a toll on his frame of mind, and Johnny needed to get out amongst people again. The headaches had been intense for the first week, and Roy had even spent the first couple nights at the apartment with his friend. But now that some of those symptoms had passed and his shoulder was starting to feel better, the hardest part was dealing with the slowly healing leg. Still, no one complained, least of all the patient himself. Everyone, including Johnny, knew that he’d truly dodged a bullet this time. And it helped when Dr. Brackett and Dr. Early along with Dr. Evans had assured him that the leg would heal with no permanent disability. It would take time, but time he had.
So Johnny had grudgingly, at first, agreed to go to the party. But he’d also made Roy promise not to spend his whole time “mother-henning” him. Roy was so grateful that his partner was coming along, that he’d promised to set Johnny up in a chair and then leave him alone. Of course, no one could truly blame him if he broke that promise once the party got started. Besides, between the rest of the guys on ‘A’ shift, along with their wives, Roy knew that Johnny would be well cared for.
“Uncle Johnny, Uncle Johnny!”
“Hi kids! Hello Mrs.Clark.”
The older lady answered with a simple terse nod. Although Roy was slightly embarrassed by the older woman’s lack of courtesy, Johnny brushed it off as usual. Joanne, for her part, tried to keep things light in an effort to cover up her mother’s challenging nature.
“Hey kids, why don’t you crawl in the back so that Grandma has some room? Johnny, you sit up front here with Roy.”
“No Joanne, I can sit here in the back, no problem.”
“Oh no you won’t, Johnny Gage. Roy’s got the door already open and there’s a pillow in there if you need to make your shoulder comfortable. I’m riding in the back with my mother. And I won’t hear another word about it. We have a party to get to.”
“Okay then.” Johnny consented. He clearly knew who the boss was in this group. He smiled his thanks at Joanne then looked back at the kids. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Chris and Jen were already scrambling over the backseat to make themselves comfortable on blankets and several inflatables brought along for the pool. Roy quickly helped Johnny get settled in the front seat and within minutes the group was on the road.
“Next stop, Cap’s birthday party!”
~~~~~~~~~~
Johnny gingerly stretched his injured leg; grateful for the chaise lounge Roy had deposited him in for the afternoon. It had been a long walk from the DeSoto’s station wagon to the Stanley’s backyard, but he wasn’t about to let on that the journey had almost done him in. Though, based on the speculative looks from his partner and several others, Johnny was afraid he hadn’t fooled anyone. But now that he was settled in the chair, a pillow under his leg and a beer in his hand, he figured the whole process had been worth it.
“Well, whatdya think, Chester B?” Johnny addressed the occupant of a matching chaise lounge complete with fluffy pillow. “You ready to party?”
“Johnny, I’m ready for anything that gets me out of my apartment.” Chet mumbled. “Many more days inside those four walls and they’ll be sending me off to the funny farm.”
“I know what you mean, Chet. My apartment seems to be getting smaller by the day. I appreciate everyone coming by and helping me out, but it sure feels good to see some different scenery.”
“Man, I hear ya.”
The two men tapped their beer bottles together and looked out across the yard. Hank’s family had gone all out for his birthday this year. There were lawn chairs and canopies for shade, coolers full of drinks and tables laden with food. A volleyball net was stretched across one end of the yard, while on the other end there was a large above-ground pool full of children and inflatables. Johnny knew that Chris and Jen were already in the water; they’d talked of nothing else the whole ride over. Over on a small deck near the garage, Hank and Mike were busy firing up the grill. It looked like everything was in place for a great afternoon.
“So how’s the leg, Chet?”
“It’s actually pretty good. I’m tired from all the PT I’ve been doing this past week, and the leg is still pretty sore but the doctors say I’m making good progress. If everything goes well at the next appointment, I might even get to throw this away.” Chet tapped the cane leaning next to his chair.
“That’s great news. I’m glad.”
Johnny took another drink from his bottle while Chet studied him quietly. Finally, unable to stand the scrutiny, Johnny turned to his shift mate.
“What?”
“Huh?”
“What’s wrong, and why are you staring at me?”
“Oh geez, I’m sorry, didn’t even realize I was doing that.” Chet had the good sense to look chagrined as he picked at the label on his bottle. “I was just trying to decide if I was going to ask.”
“Ask what?” Johnny said a little quieter.
“About the time you were under that building.”
“Oh.”
“Hey man, it’s okay, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. Probably something you don’t want to think about anyway. Sorry I brought it up.”
“Nah, it’s okay Chet. Not like I’m going to forget it anytime soon. But I just try not to focus on it much.”
Chet nodded, quietly accepting that it was too soon for Johnny to talk about the incident.
“But you’re going to be okay?”
“Yeah, yeah I am.” Johnny replied in a lighter voice. “Doctor Brackett just examined my leg yesterday and said he’s pleased with the way it’s healing. I’ll probably be joining you in PT soon.”
The two men returned to watching the festivities, the warm sun doing a good job of relaxing them. Johnny tried not to think about Chet’s innocent question, but that wasn’t easy. The memories were still too fresh. Roy had tried to talk to him about those hours of waiting to be rescued, but Johnny had managed to keep their conversations light and superficial. He knew his friend understood that he wasn’t ready to relive those hours trapped under a pile of rubble.
Finishing his beer, Johnny laid the bottle on the grass by his chair and closed his eyes. Unbidden memories rushed in: the first time he opened his eyes after surgery, grateful to find his best friend sleeping in a chair next to his hospital bed, the first conversation with the doctors and their encouragement about his prognosis, then the late night visit with Dixie when she’d found him unable to sleep from the overwhelming worries and memories. Johnny knew that he had good friends to help him through his recovery and he was grateful that each day found him just a little stronger. Even now, listening to Chet drone on about some girl that he’d met at the hospital, Johnny knew that everything would be okay. Eventually.
“Hey Johnny, don’t let Chet bore you to death.”
“What? I’m not-”
“Take it easy, Chet, I was just kidding.” Billy laughed
“Hey Billy, good to see you.” Johnny grinned as he sat up in the lounge, reaching up to shake Billy’s hand.
“Good to see you, man. Sorry I haven’t been by your place. It’s been crazy with the extra shifts and looking for a house. But I’ve been keeping up on your progress.”
“Don’t worry about it. Roy’s been filling me in on all your extra time at 51’s. Sure appreciate you helping cover for me.”
“How long before you’ll be back in the squad?” Billy questioned as he squatted down next to the injured men.
“Brackett won’t say, but he’s pretty positive about my progress. So I’m just doing what the doctor says for now.”
“Good plan. How about you, Chet? Going stir crazy yet?”
“And then some, Billy. Hell, I’m even ready for a three-alarm. Anything to get me out of watching another episode of Lets Make a Deal’ or ‘As the World Turns. Honestly, they should rename that show As the Stomach Churns.”
The three men laughed together.
“This sure is a great party.” Billy offered, after their laughter had died down. “It was nice of Captain Stanley to include Bonnie and me.”
“Glad you were able to join us. Looks like Bonnie is getting to know the wives.”
“I’m glad, too. The crew at my station doesn’t get together like your group, so it’s good for her to get acquainted with other women who have the same worries and concerns that she does. I thought she’d be nervous about meeting everyone, but this party is all she’s been talking about all week. That and what dish she was going to make.”
“Well I’m not married” Johnny grinned “but I know that Roy always says it’s ‘rough on the wives’ so any support Bonnie can find will be helpful. Even if it’s just so they can sit on the phone complaining about their husband’s long hours.”
“It’s true, I won’t lie. She does worry about being a fireman’s wife. So having other women to talk to would be good.”
“So how is the house hunting really going? What with all the extra shifts you’ve been pulling, it must be hard to have time to look at properties.”
“You’re right; I sure haven’t had much free time. But Bonnie’s been great about looking at listings and fielding calls from our realtor. There just hasn’t been anything in our price range that appeals to us yet. So we’ve decided if we don’t find anything before the wedding, we’ll live at her apartment until the right house comes along. That will give us a little more time to save too. With all the other wedding expenses and our honeymoon, the nest egg isn’t as big as I’d hoped.
“Never is.”
“How would you know, Gage? You’ve never been married.” Chet groused.
“Don’t have to be married to know about this stuff, Kelly. I have friends you know, and I listen. Besides, how would you know one way or the other? You’ve never been married either.” Johnny grumbled.
Bill just laughed at both of them, glad to see that their relationship hadn’t changed even with all the recent circumstances.
“Either way, guys, the wedding isn’t for another couple months, so we have time.”
“Good attitude, Billy. I bet you and Bonnie will find just the right place. When the time is right,” Johnny reassured, while giving a slight eye roll in Chet’s direction.
“I hope you’re right. I sure want to make that girl happy.”
The men were quiet, almost contemplative when they heard the sound of women mumbling. Almost in unison they turned, expecting to find that Bonnie, Joanne or Grace had come up behind them. Instead, three older women walked arm-in-arm past them, obviously very self-absorbed. But as they passed, it was clear that only one woman was doing the talking, and Johnny’s soft groan tipped the others to his sudden sense of frustration.
“Who was that?” Billy asked as the women moved on.
“That.” Johnny paused, “is Roy’s mother-in-law.”
“And the two women with her are Cap’s sisters,” Chet added.
Billy stared as the older ladies walked towards the house.
“Doesn’t look like they’re too happy today.”
“Mrs. Clark is never happy,” Johnny grumbled. “But Cap’s sisters are usually pretty friendly. Sure hope Joanne’s mother isn’t giving them a bad opinion of Roy.”
“I think they’re smarter than that, Johnny.” Chet chided.
“Let’s hope so.” Johnny mumbled.
“Well, I’d better see if there’s anything I can do to help. I’ll catch up with you two later.”
“We’ll still be here.” Chet groaned.
“Hey Billy, tell Roy we could use a refill.” Johnny called after him.
Billy simply raised his hand in response as he walked away.
“He’s a pretty good guy, isn’t he?” Chet commented.
“Yeah. And he’s a damn good paramedic. I sure hope things keep going well for him and Bonnie.” Johnny looked across the yard, still focused on Joanne’s mother “but the last thing Billy’s fiancé needs to hear right now is a bunch of negative comments about firefighters.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Hank exited his house and dumped a new bag of ice into the cooler that sat on the ground next to the table. It held the “for anyone” drinks, and on this special occasion the kids were allowed free access. The adults-only cooler was carefully placed out of reach of at least the littlest ones. Surveying the yard, he saw that most everyone was currently playing volleyball. Those who were not playing were sitting on the sidelines, actively engaged in cheering the game on. He looked again and realized that there was one person missing from the action. While Bonnie was right in the middle of the game, Billy wasn’t. He looked around and found Billy watching from the swing set still at the edge of the yard. Hank reached into the cooler, grabbed two Cokes, and headed in that direction.
“Hey, Cap,” Billy said as he approached. “Why aren’t you in there playing?”
“Someone has to keep the guests hydrated,” he said, tossing Billy one of the cans of Coke. He opened the other can and sat on the other swing. “Besides, I could ask you the same question. Why aren’t you in there playing?”
Billy looked a bit reluctant and said, “Can I blame my shoulder?”
Hank smiled. “You might have gotten away with that if you hadn’t just asked that question. What’s up?”
“I don’t really know, to be honest. I’m trying to figure that out.”
Hank marveled at the man sitting on the swing. He was friendly, funny, and energetic on top of being a courageous, reliable, and skilled paramedic and rescue man. At the same time, he was as pensive and introspective as anyone Hank knew. And when he was troubled, he wore that on the outside for the world to see. Now was one of those times.
“Can I help?” Hank offered.
Billy took a sip of the Coke. “No, I don’t think so. I was just enjoying everything here today and got to feeling a bit sorry for myself is all.”
“Care to explain?”
“I guess I’d been starting to think that 127s might be morphing into a strong team like you have here. But it looks like that isn’t going to happen.”
“I heard Harper announced his retirement. You know, a new Captain can disrupt a team, but sometimes he can make a team work even better.”
“You volunteering?” Billy joked but didn’t make Hank answer. “Yeah, I know. If it was just Harper, that might be okay, but it isn’t just him. Sampson passed the Engineer exam, and his number is up next so he’ll be moving on soon. And then there’s Tim. He’s my third partner since I graduated. It’s been going really well, but he’s going to live with his girlfriend.”
“What, you can’t work with a guy who lives with his girlfriend?”
“Not when she lives in South Korea, no.”
“No, I suppose not. That would be quite a commute.” Hank searched for anything he could say that might be of help. “Look at it this way. With Harper and Sampson out, you’ll be one of the veterans instead of one of the newbies.”
“True,” Billy said. “That could be interesting.” He paused, then added, “If I stay.”
This might have taken Hank by surprise, but it didn’t. It actually fit with Billy’s approach to life. Decide what you want, then find a way to make it happen.
“Interesting,” he said, keeping his tone neutral. “And if you don’t?”
“Dr. Brackett and the chief have been talking. The chief asked me if I’d consider doing six months as a floater, filling in where needed. Dr. Brackett asked if I’d consider doing a stint with the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue crew to offer an opinion about a way to incorporate more emergency medical care into their rescues. The two of them have joined heads and are designing a temporary position that’s a mixture of both if they can sell the idea. And if I want it.”
“And do you?”
“If things weren’t changing, I’d say no. But since they are, I have to admit there’s a certain appeal to it all. What do you think?”
Hank was surprised at the question and gave it some thought before he answered. “I’ve seen you in action on the side of a cliff, as you may recall. No question you have the skill and confidence to keep up with the Search and Rescue guys. And we know you’re good at covering for other people who are out. What do Roy and John say?”
Billy’s face flushed. “Well, actually Cap, I haven’t talked to them about this. I haven’t talked to anyone except the Chief and Brackett and now you.”
“And Bonnie,” Cap said, assuming she was included. He watched Billy’s face turn redder and realized he was wrong.
“Honestly? No. I think I wanted to decide how I felt about it before I heard how she feels about it. I wouldn’t make a decision without her, of course, but until I’m clear on what I think, I’m not looking for other people’s input. Not even Bonnie’s.”
“Fair enough,” Hank said. “You can certainly count on my discretion.”
Billy nodded. “I knew I could and I appreciate that. So, any thoughts?”
Hank shook his head. “Billy, you just said that you don’t want other people’s input.”
Billy turned red again and looked away and Hank was at a loss for what to do. He didn’t know what Billy was looking for or how to help. Then Billy looked back at him and told him.
“You aren’t other people. You’re ‘Cap.’ Okay, technically you aren’t my Captain, but on some level …. You just are. I was hoping I could take advantage of your experience and wisdom, help me consider the things I haven’t thought of and all that. Not right now, but maybe sometime soon? If you want to. If you don’t, I understand. It’s okay. It was silly of me to even ask. It’s not your job. And to ask here, in the middle of a party that you’re hosting and were so gracious to invite me and Bonnie to, that’s just downright inconsiderate of me. I’m sorry. I mean - “
“Billy, stop.” Hank interrupted before the man sank any deeper into his treasure trove of insecurities. “I’m honored that you think of me that way. I share your sentiments and would be happy to be your Captain or teammate any time. But right now it looks like the game is breaking up. Let’s find a time later this week, and we can talk in private.”
Billy agreed and Hank turned his attention to the people walking toward them. He smiled when he saw that, even though Mike was with them, his engineer’s three year old son, Mickey, had a tight hold on Bonnie’s hand, his smiling face smudged with dirt and maybe chocolate.
“Who won?” Hank asked.
“Nobody,” Karen said, rolling her eyes as only a 13 year old can.
“Everybody!” Mickey told him.
Mike clarified. “Gage and Kelly weren’t playing so we didn’t have to keep score.”
Karen repeated the eye roll and said to Bonnie, “Come on, I’ll show you that poster. It’s cool. My dad hates it.”
The little boy holding Bonnie’s hand showed no sign that he intended to let go, so Mike stepped in.
“Come on Mickey. Time to let someone else hang with Bonnie. I need to get some stuff from the car. You and Billy can help.”
Mickey looked at his father then at the swing Billy had now vacated. “I stay here,” he said.
Hank smiled and said, “Mickey, I think that is a grand plan. Let’s you and I swing while your dad and Billy do all the work.”
“You sure, Cap?” Mike asked.
“Absolutely.” Hank lifted Mickey onto the swing as the others departed.
“What do you think, Mickey? Do you want me to push you on the swing or do you want to do it yourself?”
“I think … “ Mickey looked up at Hank. “I just sit here.”
“Good plan,” Hank said and sat back on his own swing, this time with one leg on either side so he was facing his young charge.
Mickey looked at him then tried to twist and lift his right leg over the swing so that he was sitting the same way. Hank jumped up and grabbed him.
“Whoa there, big fella. Let me help.”
Once Mickey was straddling the swing, he looked around the yard to locate his father and his mother. That done, he turned back to Hank.
“Mr Cap, I ask you a secret?”
Hank had to stifle a laugh. “Sure, Mickey. What’s on your mind?”
Mickey pointed across the yard and said, “Mr. Cap, you see those girls?”
Hank looked over at the women gathered where Mickey was pointing.
“I see lots of girls over there, Mickey.”
“Me too.” The conversation was momentarily detoured while Mickey showed off his counting skills. He stopped at eight.
“Eight girls.”
“I think you’re right Mickey. I see eight girls.”
“See two old girls?”
In Mickey’s eyes, they may all be old. “Which ones?” Hank asked.
“The really really old ones. They with Jennifer’s grandma.”
Hank had to again push back a laugh as he realized that his sisters were the ones sitting with Muriel Clark.
“Yup, I see them. What about them?”
“Mr. Cap, my daddy says they your sisters, but I think he made that up. They really really old. You old, and they lots older.”
This time Hank couldn’t hold back the laugh. “You know what I think, Mickey? I think you are a very smart three year old.”
“Almost four,” Mickey corrected. “My Mommy says I got daddy’s smarts and mommy’s vocal chords.”
“Mickey, I think that your Mommy’s got it exactly right. You know what else? You daddy wasn’t making it up. Those girls are my sisters. You’re right too. They’re older than me. But we all have the same mom and dad.”
“You sure? They really, really old.”
“Yup. I’m sure. That’s Babs and Margaret, and they are, most definitely, my sisters.”
“They really, really old,” he repeated.
“Well, my mom and dad had the two of them, then waited almost 20 years before they had me. Can I tell you something, Mickey?”
“Uh huh.”
“Sometimes girls don’t like it so much when we say they’re old or ‘really, really old.’ It might be better if you don’t say that to them or to Jennifer’s grandmother either.”
“Yup. My daddy says I not allowed cause sometimes girls keep secrets. I don’t ask them. I ask you.”
“Okay, pal. I knew you were smart. They really are my sisters and …”. Hank leaned over and whispered in Mickey’s ear. “They are old.”
Ten minutes later, feeling a bit guilty about what he had just said to the youngest party goer, he walked over to join the three oldest guests. Just as he entered earshot, he was joined by Roy. Hank noted that Roy was careful to position himself out of his mother in law’s line of vision. Hank lowered his voice to a whisper.
“Still avoiding her, huh?”
Roy nodded and whispered back. “Man, she is relentless today. Gleefully spreading ill will and all of my inadequacies. Now she’s talking to your sisters. Part of me wants to know what she’s saying. Part of me doesn’t dare to listen.”
Hank understood his sentiment. He also knew his sisters very well. Taking a risk he said, “I say we listen,” and, staying where Margaret could see them if she looked, but behind Muriel and Babs, the two men shamelessly began to eavesdrop on the three women.
The women were talking about escalating property taxes. Hank and Roy were about to walk away when the topic changed.
“Muriel,” Margaret said, “your daughter was quite impressive out there playing Volleyball. She certainly showed up all those men with some of her moves.”
Muriel growled. “She made a fool of herself. She wouldn’t have even been out there if HE hadn’t suggested it.”
“He who?” Barbara asked.
“That one she married.”
“Oh. Roy. He’s very nice,” Barbara said.
Muriel simply growled again.
“You don’t like him? Why?” Barbara wanted to know. “What’s not to like? He’s very nice and not at all bad to look at, don’t you think? I think so. What do you think, Margaret? Oh, and he’s very strong and brave too. I know because we’ve seen him work. Haven’t we, Margaret?”
“He’s a fireman,” Muriel said, as if that should explain everything.
“So are all of the men here today,” Margaret pointed out. “I know it’s dangerous, but it’s also very honorable.”
“So I hear … over and over and over.”
“Roy tells you it’s honorable?” Margaret said.
“Oh, he used to try,” Muriel told them. “These days he mostly hides when he sees me. It’s Joanne who says it now. He’s infecting the kids, too. I said something about him yesterday, and Chris got all upset and told me his father was brave.”
Margaret looked up and caught Hank’s eye with a look that told him she knew they were watching and listening.
“Maybe he hides because he knows you don’t like him,” Margaret pushed back.
“Well, I would hope SO. It took him long enough to figure it out. He’s not all that smart. If he was smart he would have figured that out before they got married and Joanne wouldn’t be stuck in a life that’s going nowhere with a boy from fourth grade. You know, there was another boy in high school who liked her. He became a lawyer. He represents people who were injured in car accidents and things like that. He gets them lots of money from the people who hurt them. I think that’s honorable. And he just got a divorce so he’s available again. I told Joanne but do you think she listened to her mother?”
“Well, I would hope NOT,” Barbara said. “Why would she be unhappy? Roy’s strong and handsome and very nice. And you know he loves her and the children, doesn’t he Margaret? He adores them. I can tell. It’s the way he looks at them and talks to them. And those children are good children. They’ve been raised right. And you know what else? They’re happy.”
“Hmph.”
“She’s right,” Margaret said. “Your daughter married a brave man with an important, honorable, and secure job that will support them now and in the future. He loves her and their children and, more importantly, he likes them. He has good friends who are there for each other and for each other’s families. Whatever your gripe is, you need to get over it.”
“There are other nice men who could give her the things she deserves instead of having to scrape and save to get by. Like that lawyer.”
Barbara’s expression turned from confusion to disgust. “Muriel, you are nothing more than a cranky old woman. And you know what I think? I think you won’t be happy until your daughter is as unhappy and bitter as you are. Shame on you.”
Muriel’s eyes got wide. She turned away from Barbara to face Margaret.
“Don’t look at me. She’s right. You’re so set on being miserable you can’t see what’s right in front of your eyes. I agree with my sister. Shame on you.”
Margaret looked up, winked at Hank and Roy, took Barbara by the arm, and the two walked away.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ten minutes later, Muriel Clark was sitting alone, still stewing about her conversation with the Stanley sisters. Since Joanne had introduced them, Muriel had enjoyed the time that she had spent with them, talking about all kinds of things. Because their brother was a fireman, Muriel had chosen to not share her opinions on the career choice and the men who made it. They had never asked her opinion about her son-in-law and Muriel was perfectly happy not talking about him. But she was hardly going to stay quiet after he had encouraged her daughter to make such a spectacle of herself playing that game, when she should have been doing something more befitting her gender and upbringing. She was surprised at the women’s comments. She guessed she could understand why they would defend their brother’s choice, but surely they could see the difference between being a Captain and being her son-in-law. They must understand that her daughter had made the wrong choice. Just the same, as much as she had enjoyed their company, she decided that if she was invited to join them again, she would politely decline.
She was deciding what she would say, when a young woman approached her, a small plate of cookies in her hand. Muriel had been introduced to her earlier in the day, but she hadn’t bothered to remember her name or why it was that she was here.
“Mrs. Clark,” the woman said, “I’m Bonnie. We met earlier.”
“I know who you are,” Muriel lied. She wanted to tell the woman to leave her alone, but she thought that would be too rude to do at someone else’s party. Instead she asked, “Are you enjoying yourself?”
She knew that both her face and voice were letting her visitor know that she had no real interest in the answer. She hoped it would discourage the woman and make her turn around. Instead Bonnie pulled up a chair and sat down.
“It’s nice. It was very nice of you all to include me. I mean, Billy doesn’t even work for 51 and he and I aren’t even married yet. So it was really nice for you to invite us. Oh,” she added, looking at the plate in her hand, “Jennifer, Karen, and Janet just made these. I helped. I thought you might like to try one or two. They really are quite good.”
“So they stuck you with the kids, huh?”
“Oh, no. I asked the kids if I could help. They didn’t really need me, but it was a chance to get to know them.”
“Why would you want to know someone else’s kids? And why do you want to know a bunch of firemen? Go meet some lawyers or accountants. They make good money and they come home at night.”
Bonnie didn’t answer right away and Muriel wondered if she was going to leave now, but she didn’t. After another moment, Bonnie put the plate down on the little table near Muriel and answered her question.
“Well, I look at it this way. When a man, or a woman for that matter, chooses to put his life on the line for other people every day, the way that all these men here today do, well, it can be scary for the people who love them. You must know that. You must see Joanne get scared. I’m sure that sometimes she wishes he did do something different for a living, like being a lawyer or an accountant. I bet sometimes you wish that too. I know there are days when Billy comes home and I just want to wrap him up in a blanket and not let him out of the house again. But then I think, if my mother or my grandmother was in a car accident or in a fire, I would hope that someone just like Billy was there to take care of her. I’m sure that you and Joanne feel the same way. You worry about Roy, maybe wish he wasn’t a fireman/paramedic, but then you think about the number of lives he’s saved because of his job, and how if you needed someone for yourself or someone you loved, you’d be happy that there are people like him out there doing what they do.
“Anyways, I don’t know why I just said all that. In answer to your question, I came here and I want to know these men, women, and kids, because I’m going to need people like you when I get scared, and I want you all to know you can count on me to be there when you get scared.”
“Take my advice. Find yourself a lawyer. Then you won’t have to find someone to talk to when you’re scared.”
“Tell me, Mrs. Clark. Have you ever been trapped in a fire or a car wreck?”
“Goodness, no,” Muriel told her. “Why would you ask a question like that?”
“Well, I was just thinking. If you were trapped in a fire or a car, who would you rather show up to help, an accountant, a lawyer, or Roy?”
Muriel said nothing and hoped she would go away.
“Just answer me that one question and I’ll leave the cookies with you and go away if you want. If your life was in danger in a fire or a car, who is the most likely to save your life, a lawyer, an accountant, or Roy?”
Muriel did not like this girl. She was very pushy. But she decided if she ignored her she may never go away.
“You know the answer,” she told her.
“I do,” Bonnie said. “So do you. Maybe it would help if you said it out loud.”
“Who are you to tell me what I need to say out loud?”
Muriel prepared to counter whatever this girl came up with for an answer. But it was another voice that spoke.
“She’s our friend. I’m your daughter. And I want to hear the answer to the question, mother. I want to hear you say it.”
Muriel was furious and looked around, expecting to find HIM standing nearby. But he wasn’t. It was just the three of them. Joanne wasn’t looking to make a scene, but the look on her daughter’s face told her she also wasn’t willing to let this go.
“OK. You want my answer? I’ll give you an answer, but the whole answer, not just the part you want to hear.”
“Fair enough,” Joanne said. The younger girl started to walk away.
“Hey, where are you going, girly?” Muriel said. “You started this. You stay to the end.” Muriel noted that the girl looked at Joanne and sought her approval before she sat back down.
Muriel took a breath, faced Joanne, and spoke. “I’m not a fool, regardless of what you may think. If I was in a fire, or a crashed car, or having a heart attack, of course I’d rather Roy show up than some lawyer or accountant. I’m sure he would be very capable of helping me even though he hates me.”
Joanne started to speak and Muriel raised her hand. “No, it’s true and I know it and I don’t blame him because I feel pretty much the same about him. But I know that, despite that, he would help me and be very capable at it. And I know he wouldn’t hesitate to put himself in grave danger to help me because that is what is expected. He would do it for me or for a stranger. It’s his job.”
Muriel paused and looked at the two women then continued. “And I hate his job. Because one day he’s going to go into a fire and not come out. And he’s going to leave my daughter and her babies alone and with nothing. Absolutely nothing. All of those years of struggling pay check to pay check and what’s left in the end? You have no money, you have no security, and you don’t even have him. You’d do better with a lawyer. Nobility doesn’t pay for college.”
“But Mom …”
“No. I don’t want to hear about life insurance and pensions and fire department funds for widows. You shouldn’t have to beg. All I’ve heard since I’ve been here is how brave he is and how much he loves you. Well, if he truly loved you and was all that brave, he’d go get a new job. Since that’s not going to happen, I suggest you let me call that lawyer you used to date.”
With that Muriel stood. Her leg still not fully healed, she wasn’t able to pull off the dramatic exit she would have preferred, but she made her point.
~~~~~~~~~~
Eight feet away, the view obstructed by some bushes, Hank stood with Roy, Margaret and Barbara. Hank couldn’t read the look on Roy’s face. He looked at his sisters.
“I had no idea how rude that woman was,” Margaret said. She turned to Roy. “When is she leaving?”
Roy shrugged. “I don’t really know.”
“I’m sorry, Roy, but I just can’t see us spending any more time with her.”.
“Speak for yourself.” Everyone looked at Barbara. “She needs us. She needs friends like us. I bet she’s lonely and scared so I’m sticking with her no matter how nasty she is.”
Margaret smiled. “You really mean that, don’t you Barbara?”
“Well of course I do. She needs friends who understand about firemen. Don’t you think?”
Margaret didn’t answer immediately so Barbara turned to the men. “Don’t you agree? She just needs friends like us who understand about firemen.”
“Maybe,” Hank said and looked at Roy.
“You really still want to be her friend?” Roy asked the women.
“We could try,” Margaret agreed.
Barbara’s answer was different.
“No. I would probably rather not. But it seems like the best way to help. Her and you.”
Hank looked at Roy. “I told you they were special.”
Roy nodded. “Thanks Margaret, Barbara. Anything you could do to help is appreciated.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Muriel had wanted to stomp off from her conversation with Joanne and that other girl. While she felt sure that she had made her intentions clear, she knew she was hardly an imposing figure as she limped slowly across the yard. The man with the mustache and accent had come over and offered to help her, but she had quickly told him she did not need any help from any fireman and he backed away. She was looking for a place to sit back down when the Stanley sisters came up behind her and joined her, one on each side.
“What do you want?” she asked, looking straight ahead rather than facing either of them.
“A fourth for bridge tomorrow,” Margaret said.
“You do know how to play, don’t you?” Barbara asked.
Muriel looked at the women and was about to tell them to leave her alone when Barbara continued.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Margaret, she doesn’t know how to play Bridge. Maybe we could play Hearts instead. Do you know how to play Hearts, Muriel?”
“Don’t be foolish,” Muriel reprimanded. “Of course I know how to play Bridge. I’m just not sure I want to.”
“We’re having lunch at our house. Bridge is at 1:00,” Margaret told her. “I’d say ‘Come if you want, don’t if you don’t,’ but since we need four to play, I can’t leave it that flexible, and we need you to say yes now.”
“Who else is playing?”
“Frank,” Barbara told her. “He lives across the street. He’s the sweetest man, really. Sometimes he lives alone. Sometimes he has friends who live with him. His friend was going to be the fourth, but I think he left. I don’t know why. He has a daughter, he says, but I’ve never met her-”
“Barbara,” Margaret cut her off. “She doesn’t need to know his life history.”
“I suppose he’s a fireman,” Muriel said with a sneer.
Barbara started to answer but Margaret jumped in first. “No, he’s an out of work shoe salesman. Why? Do you only play Bridge with lawyers?”
“As long as he’s not a fireman.”
“You’ll come then?” Margaret asked.
Muriel considered her options. Roy was home tomorrow. The children had school and Joanne had an appointment.
“Well, okay. If Joanne will bring me over.”
“I’m sure she will,” Barbara said. “We have a very nice house. On a beautiful street with lots of huge trees. Joanne knows where it is. Of course she does. She brought you over the other day so you already know about our beautiful trees. Roy knows too. He was there once. All of them were there. The firemen I mean. All the firemen were there.”
“Why were they at your house? I suppose your brother invited them over.”
Barbara opened her mouth to answer but Margaret cut her off. “In a manner of speaking, yes.”
Margaret stopped and pointed across the yard to where Roy was wrapping his daughter in a large beach blanket while Joanne handed one to their son.
“He’s a good man, Muriel. And he loves them, all three of them.”
“I never said he didn’t.” Well, I guess I did but maybe I didn’t mean it, not exactly.
They watched as Joanne bent down and kissed her daughter and then her husband on the forehead.
“She loves him,” Barbara said.
“Again, I never said she didn’t.”
“Maybe that’s not everything,” Margaret said, “but maybe here it’s the most important thing.”
Muriel stopped and watched them for a moment. “Maybe,” she said, and then smiled. “So what time is lunch?”
~~~~~~~~~
Shadows lengthened as the sun slipped below the tree line. Tables had been cleared and put away and most of the chairs removed from the yard. The women were in the kitchen, covering leftovers or washing containers to be packed away. Hank’s birthday party had been a big success, for many different reasons. But the one that Roy was focused on right now was his partner.
Johnny hadn’t moved from his chaise lounge all day, except the time Roy helped him into the house to answer nature’s call. But Johnny seemed content to shoot the breeze with Chet; although maybe being stuck in his apartment alone made even Chet’s conversation seem enlightening. Joanne, along with the other wives, had been pampering the injured men, bringing them food and drinks, while the guys kept stopping by to shoot the breeze or just keep the two involved in the festivities. It was a great feeling, seeing the group taking care of their own. But Roy knew how hard it must be for Johnny who was usually the energetic life of the party. Sitting on the sidelines instead of being in the middle of the volleyball game, or better yet, chasing the kids around the yard with water balloons must’ve been tough.
There was one highlight that Roy noticed. Halfway through the afternoon Jennifer ended up on Johnny’s chair and after a few minutes of quiet conversation had fallen asleep. Snuggled next to her adopted uncle, the little girl had slept for almost half an hour, and even Joanne’s attempts to relieve Johnny of her care had met with a firm shake of his head and a finger to his lips. It was obvious he loved Roy’s kids and the feeling was clearly mutual.
Now, with the kids gathering their pool toys and saying their goodbyes, Roy figured it was time to get Johnny moving towards the car. From the looks of things, his friend was ready to go. Or, if the paramedic was more honest with himself, he’d admit that his partner looked done in.
Chet’s chair was empty, but the fireman had been a bit more mobile than Johnny, able to get up and move around the yard several times during the afternoon. But now he was slowly making his way towards Marco, evidently ready for his ride home.
Stepping up to Johnny’s chair, Roy was not surprised to see his friend’s eyes closed.
“What do you think, Sleeping Beauty? Ready to go home?”
“Yeah, I think I’ve had enough of the ball.”
Roy chuckled, glad to hear that there was still a teasing tone in his friend’s voice.
“How are you really doing?”
“I’m okay. Getting tired, though.”
“I bet. Where’d your friend go?” Roy nodded towards Chet’s chair.
“Not sure if he was tired or if some girl was supposed to stop by and visit him. I kinda quit listening towards the end.”
They chuckled in unison, both fully aware of how relentless Chet’s one-sided conversation could get when he was on a roll.
“Well Joanne’s getting things finished up in the kitchen, and the kids are picking up their toys, so I figured it was the perfect time to get you moving towards the car. If you’re ready.”
“I’m ready.”
Johnny sat up and turned to put both feet on the ground while Roy grabbed his cane. As if on cue, Billy walked over and offered his arm, giving Johnny a stabilizing force on each side.
“I’m kinda stiff, guys. Guess I’ve been sitting still for too long.”
“Okay, we’ll just take it slow. But watch your shoulder. Just say the word and we’ll go on three.”
“Let’s do it.”
“One. Two. Three.”
Johnny pushed himself up, aided by the men beside him. It took several minutes before he managed to get his balance, but the guys beside him were still quietly holding his arms. Looking from one to the other, he realized that they were staring at each other, as if silently sharing a memory they didn’t want to.
“What?”
Billy looked down first, while Roy continued staring, no longer looking at the men beside him but as if he was seeing something in the past.
“Roy?”
“Huh? Oh, nothing. You okay now?”
“Yeah. But what gives?”
Roy had the good sense to look down, as if Johnny could read his thoughts just by staring into his eyes. But they’d been partners and friends for too long. Johnny didn’t need to see his friend’s expression to know that something had just sparked his memory, and obviously that something must be painful.
“You going to tell me or do I have to go over your head?” Johnny nodded towards their captain who was even now making his way towards them.
Billy cleared his throat while Roy took a few minutes to gather his thoughts before trying to explain. He looked almost grateful when Hank silently joined them. It was just like their captain to be so perceptive.
“I was just remembering . . When you were trapped under all that debris, we kept coordinating between the guys outside the pile and those of us in there with you. Several times we had to verbally count to three so that we’d all move at the same time in order to keep things from caving in on you. Guess when I counted for you to stand just now I noticed Billy there counting with me, and well, it just kind of brought it all back.”
The four men stood together, each lost in their individual thoughts and memories. Each man thinking of what was, what could have been and what actually happened; several of them taking a moment again to thank God for how things turned out. But it was Johnny who finally broke the tension in his light-hearted way.
“Well, since you’re all so well-practiced at counting, how about we one-two-three me to the car. I kinda feel like it’s time for a nap.”
The moment was broken and they all laughed in relief as Johnny took his first halting step toward the house.
Hank walked along as the two paramedics assisted Johnny across the yard. With captain’s eyes, he followed the faltering steps of his injured man. But Hank knew better than to make more out of it, or bring up the sensitive subjects that Johnny clearly wanted to avoid. Instead, he decided to focus on the positive.
“I want to thank you guys, again, for coming today.”
“Hey, we should be thanking you, Cap. This was a great party.” Roy replied enthusiastically.
“Yeah, Cap. Bonnie and I are flattered that you included us. Thank you!”
“Glad I could get here, Cap. It was good to get out of the apartment.”
Hank grinned and nodded.
“But I do have a question.” Johnny continued. “What’s up with Joanne’s mom?”
“You mean Mrs. Clark?” Billy asked.
“Yeah. I’ve known her a lot of years, but I honestly have to say that today was the first day I’ve ever really seen her smile. What did I miss?”
Hank winked at Roy behind Johnny’s back, and then grinned at Billy who was looking at him quizzically.
“You didn’t miss a thing, Johnny. At least nothing important. Maybe Roy’s mother-in-law was just having a good day.”
“Well that would be one for the books. Do you think she’s actually going to be nice to you Roy?” Johnny stopped his halting progress to look at his best friend. “Did she have some kind of epiphany or something?”
“Oh no, Junior, nothing like that. I’m not naïve enough to think that I’ll ever be friendly with that woman. But I am willing to take any break in the battle, even if it’s only a five-minute reprieve.”
Johnny laughed, joined immediately by Hank and Roy while Billy just studied them with a rather confused expression. Mrs. Muriel Clark chose that exact moment to make her newest displeasure known and Roy’s groan marked the evident end of whatever amnesty Johnny might’ve missed.
“Don’t just stand there Roy, we need to get these kids home. Stop dawdling and help us get these things loaded in Joanne’s car.”
“The five minute reprieve is definitely over.” Roy muttered under his breath, causing Johnny to almost choke as he tried to swallow his laughter.
The older paramedic waved his hand at his mother-in-law as she walked away with an armful of blankets, then he continued to help Johnny slowly towards the house. Hank was thoughtful but sincere when he spoke.
“I guess some people just can’t change, Roy. But you know that your wife and children are what it’s all about.”
“Yes, I do. Only my love for Joanne keeps me from telling that woman off. Well, and the fact that I want my kids to show respect for their grandmother. So I vent to all of you at the station, and paste a smile on my face while Joanne’s mother is visiting. Thankfully, she doesn’t live here or it would be harder to live with.”
“Good man.” Hank grinned.
The slow trek to the side of the house was over and Roy helped Johnny along the narrow sidewalk to the front driveway. Billy had gone ahead and had the car door open, the men working together to get Johnny settled for the ride home. Hank stepped around the cars to say goodbye to Marco and Chet who were already climbing into Marco’s car. Mike and his kids were out front, loading various items into their pickup, while Joanne and Patty came out of the front door carrying picnic baskets and bags of leftovers. In between them all, kids were calling goodbye to each other as parents ushered them into their vehicles. Grace was giving Bonnie a quick hug and Hank overheard her urging the young woman to join the wives for lunch next week. Then Hank almost held his breath as Margaret and Babs came out of the garage, Muriel Clark happily walking between them. The three ladies were bidding each other goodbye, no residual overtones of hurt feelings from the afternoon. In fact, Hank thought he heard something about them meeting for lunch or a game of cards.
As car doors slammed and engines roared to life, Hank walked up to the front steps and slipped his arm around his wife. Leaning down to kiss the top of her head, he squeezed her tight.
“Thanks sweetheart. It was a great party.”
“We have a great family!”
“Yes we do. The kids were wonderful, the way they helped out today.”
“Of course they are. But I wasn’t talking about just the girls. I was talking about all our family.” Grace murmured, extending her hand towards the departing crowd. “We are blessed with all of them, and that includes the new members you introduced to us today. I’m so glad you share your work family with us.”
Roy was the last to back out of the driveway, and Hank saw Johnny wave out the passenger window as they drove off.
“You’re right, Grace. We are very lucky. In so many ways.”
The End!
‘In Good Company’ was written after two friends who had lost each other found one another again after oh so many years. So thanks to all of you who read our stories all those years ago and led us to think maybe we could do this again.
If you enjoyed Cap’s sisters, Barbara and Margaret, you can visit with them in “Up a Tree” also written by Jane L and Whisper and found right here on Audrey’s site. *Disclaimer: Up a Tree was written close to 20 years ago, and we would like it clearly understood that 60 no longer seems old. Happy 60th birthday and then some to us.
While we took this opportunity to develop the character of Billy Hanks, we did not create him. He was created by E! writers Harold Jack Bloom, Robert Cinader, and Kevin Doward as well as actor Kip Niven and director Christian Nyby. To get to know Billy from the beginning, watch the episode ‘School Days’ in season t. To visit with Billy again, stay tuned for our next story. *Disclaimer: Anticipation can be good, but it took us a year to write this one so we advise against breath holding.
Special thanks to Sarah and Becca for beta reading our story and to Audrey for posting. You gals are great and we appreciate your help!
To send the ladies feedback please click HERE for Jane and HERE for Whisper.
Stories by Jane L. Stories by Whisper