Johnny's Shadow
Part 2
Johnny and Roy returned to the dayroom, Shadow still in Gage’s arms.
“So what’d Cap say?” Chet wondered. “You gonna be cleaning the latrine for the next six months?”
Johnny shot him a glare that quickly faded. “Very funny. As a matter of fact, he said it’s okay that Shadow’s here. As long as we keep. . .after. . .” he trailed off when he saw the looks of doubt on his shiftmates’ faces. “Okay, as long as I keep up after ‘im, he can stay.”
“And how’re you going to do that if you get a run?” Marco wondered. “Chet said Shadow’s not house broken.”
“Not all the way, no. I’ll figure it out,” the younger paramedic said as he made his way over to the couch and set the pup down. “But first things first.” He looked at his charge. “Okay, stay there and I’ll be right back.” The little black dog watched with sad eyes as his temporary owner headed for the exit again.
“Wonder what he’s up to now?”
Marco glanced at Mike. “I don’t know, but I think Johnny just thought of another way to get out of helping with these papers.”
Roy was standing near the couch when he felt three sets of eyes staring at him. He rolled his eyes and headed for the table. “Okay, I’ll help you guys out.”
~*~*~
A few minutes later, Johnny came back into the room, his arms full with two dog dishes, a rubber hamburger, a small brown stuffed bear and a brown paper bag of dog food. He set all of it on the counter near the sink, then tossed the toys to the floor near the couch. The hamburger let out a squeak as it made a hard landing.
Shadow eyed the toys with interest, then made an attempt to jump off the couch, instead managing more of a tumble. Landing on his side, he quickly got up and went for his bear.
“Man, Gage, you might want to get that dog a helmet if he does that very often. ‘Course, if he’s like you, he’ll probably lose it on the way down--”
“Chet, would you cut it out?” Johnny filled one dish with food and the other with a small amount of water. After placing the bag of dog chow on the floor adjacent to one of the table legs, he carried the dog dishes over to where Shadow was lying on the floor, sucking on the bear’s nose. “Here ya go, boy.”
“Didn’t you feed him yet?” Marco wondered. He glanced at his watch; it was after 9:00.
“Yeah, but I didn’t know we’d be travelin’ together this morning. He got car sick on the way in and pretty much lost his entire breakfast. I’m lucky I stopped and got him out of my Land Rover before he did it.”
The four men made disgusting faces at the thought.
“Anyway,” Johnny continued, “He can eat now, then I can take him out, hopefully before we get a run.” He sat down on the couch and rubbed at his eyes. “Man, this puppy stuff wears a guy out.”
The others didn’t comment, but rather kept their eyes in Johnny and Shadow’s direction. When the younger paramedic looked over at them, he sighed. “Okay. . .okay. I’ll help with the papers.”
Chet slowly shook his head, still staring. “That’s not it.”
“Huh? Well then what’re you guys lookin’ over here for?”
“It’s your dog,” Mike answered.
Baffled, Johnny looked down at Shadow. He didn’t see anything unusual. Still confused, he shook his head. “What are you guys talkin’ about?”
The four men couldn’t believe their eyes. Shadow would take a mouth full of food, then promptly drop a couple of whole pieces out as he looked around, all the while chomping on his food, his mouth opening wide with each chew before closing again. Though it was probably normal for a puppy to eat in such a way, it gave them all the image of Johnny when he’d take a bite of food and start to talk, though he managed to keep it all inside.
“Johnny better find that dog a home quick,” Mike said under his breath.
“I told you guys he took after Gage.”
“He better not take up chasing cars. . .” Marco quietly added.
All four got a horrified expression on their faces as they recalled how their friend had been hit by a vehicle during a very early morning rescue.
Roy sighed and got up from his seat at the table. “Did you bring his leash?”
“Yeah. . .it’s out in my Rover.”
“I’ll go get it for when you’re ready to take him out.”
“Thanks! But you guys still haven’t told me what everyone was staring at. What’s wrong with the dog?”
Roy took another look at the pup munching in the same fashion and grinned. “Nothin’. We were just wondering how such a little guy could take such big bites.”
“Oh. . .huh. . .” Gage patted Shadow on the head. Whatever. . .
The others tried to get back to sorting the papers, but couldn’t help to take a glance now and then at the puppy that mirrored some of the tendencies of their colleague.
~*~*~
Once Johnny was outside with Shadow after the pup had eaten, the others discussed the situation.
“Doesn’t Johnny realize how much Shadow shadows him?” Marco wondered.
“Kind of,” Roy responded. “He’s noticed it on some things. But I don’t think you’ll ever get him to admit it.”
Chet shook his head. “He can only deny it for so long.”
“I’m sure he’ll deny it for as long as he can.”
“I wonder how he’ll feel after he gives Shadow up for adoption.”
Everyone looked at Mike, who was still pondering his own words. He shrugged as he voiced more thoughts. “Maybe he doesn’t wanna give the dog away and he can’t admit that either. Maybe he’s afraid that when he does, it’ll sink in how much alike they were and he’ll miss the little guy.”
Just then the subject of their discussion entered the room, his little black puppy following closely at his feet, jumping about in excitement.
“What’dya do to him?” Chet wondered. “Give him some high powered doggy treats?”
Johnny screwed up his face. “No, he’s just happy to have a full tummy and an empty bladder.”
“Right.” Chet looked at the others as if to say ‘play along with the nut and we’ll all stay safe’.
As Gage walked across the room with his temporary pet, the little dog stopped, suddenly growling and barking at the curly haired fireman.
“What’d I do now?”
Johnny turned around and smirked. “Bothered by the fact a little dog doesn’t like ya? Maybe now you can understand why it bugged me with Boot.”
“No, I just don’t appreciate getting yelled at by a canine runt.”
“Oh c’mon. Be a sport. He’s just playin’ with ya.”
“I don’t see how a dog who gets motion sickness can move around so much after eating and not make himself throw up.”
“It’s not like riding in a car.”
“You’re right. It’s much bumpier,” Chet added sarcastically. “But I’ve gotta remember, he does take after you, so I guess it only stands to reason he wouldn’t always make sense.”
“Chet!”
As the two carried on, the puppy would get down close to the floor, then quickly rise up, continuing to bark at Chet.
Marco was about to make a comment on how it looked like both Johnny and Shadow were arguing with him when the tones sounded, sending the squad on a response. Gage looked down at the pup at the same time Roy voiced his opinion on what he sensed was coming from his partner next.
“Uh uh. He’s not riding in the squad with his history of motion sickness.”
“But what’m I s’posed to do with him?”
“I don’t know, but you’d better figure it out fast.”
Johnny looked at Chet, who ignored the yapping dog and raised his hands in protest. “Ah no. No way.”
“Well, one of ya has to watch ‘im.”
“But what if we get toned out and you’re not back yet?”
Johnny handed Chet the leash. “Tie ‘im up somewhere. Just be sure he's got newspaper to go on.”
With that, he hurried out of the room and to the passenger side of the squad. Roy was already in the driver’s seat and accepting a slip of paper with the address and nature of the call written on it from Captain Stanley. He passed it on to Gage.
“So who’s watching Shadow?” DeSoto wondered as he drove into the street.
“Chet, so far. I gave him the leash.”
“You know, you’ve really gotta find that puppy a home, and soon.”
“I know, that’s exactly what Cap said. And I think by ‘soon’ he meant sooner than you do.”
Roy glanced at his partner who was now watching out the windshield, a frown on his face. A pang of guilt at not taking the dog hit, but he quickly shoved it away as he reminded himself, This is *his* problem, not mine. . .
~*~*~
When the paramedics returned to the station after their run, the engine was gone.
“Chet better’ve tied Shadow up and put papers down before they left, or he’s cleanin’ up any messes around the place,” Johnny remarked.
Roy smirked at the thought of the two settling that issue. And on Chet tying up the little dog, he voiced the only thought that came to his mind. . .“I’m sure he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.”
His partner shot him a look that told him he wasn’t amused.
The two climbed out of the squad and headed for the dayroom. Both expected to see Shadow’s leash tied to a table leg, the puppy on the other end of it. But the little dog wasn’t there.
“Maybe he’s in Cap’s office,” Roy suggested.
“Yeah, maybe. . .”
Johnny hurried out of the room to check. But before he got to the closed door, he stopped and turned to his partner behind him. “It’s too quiet.”
“You’re too far from the door to hear anything.”
Gage stepped closer and listened. He then shook his head. “Nope, there’s no sound. He’s either not in there, or he’s too involved in making a mess.”
Both stood still and looked at the door. Finally Roy spoke.
“Well, open it. You won’t know for sure until you do.”
“I know. . .I know. I’m gettin’ to it.” He reached for the knob, then stopped and nervously ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t.”
“Whataya mean you can’t? You have to.”
Johnny looked at Roy. “You do it.”
“Me?”
He nodded. “Just do it, Roy. I can’t.”
“Okay. . .” As the senior paramedic stepped past his partner and turned the knob, Johnny looked away, wishing he was doing anything but facing a possible disaster in the captain’s office. Before he could find out for himself, he got the answer.
“He’s not in here.”
Johnny looked into the office in surprise. “He’s not?” He grinned in relief. “He’s not! For once Chet used his noggin.” But the relief soon faded. “But if he’s not in the dayroom and not in here. . .where is he?”
They exchanged a glance, then looked toward the locker room. Johnny once again led the way.
~*~*~
When they got into the room, they heard the sound of the squeaky rubber hamburger coming from the shower stall. Johnny started to reach for the door handle, when Roy commented, “I’ll bet he’ll be glad to see you.”
The younger man stopped in mid motion and pulled his hand back. He stood looking at the shower door, his hands on his hips. “You’re right. He will. . .” And when he is, my leg gets wet. . .
With the sound of Johnny’s voice, the squeaking stopped and the men could make out the blurry image of the puppy now standing on the other side. His tail was wagging, his ears perked up.
“You open it,” Gage suggested.
“Me? I did the last one.”
“Yeah, but I can’t do this one either.”
“Look, he couldn’t have done any damage. That’s probably why Chet put him in there.”
“But he will if I open it.”
DeSoto was staring with an uncomprehending expression on his face.
“Roy, he tends to wet on my leg. . .when he’s excited to see me.”
“But what if he wets on my leg?”
“He won’t.”
“You can’t guarantee that and you know it.”
“Alright,” the darker-haired paramedic gave in. “Maybe there’s a way to avoid it.” He pulled open the door and hopped up on the bench near the lockers in one motion. Shadow came running out, jumping around in excitement. Johnny squatted down on the furniture piece and petted the puppy that was already standing up on hind feet with his front paws on the edge of the bench. Happy, he licked at Gage’s hand.
“So far so good,” Roy commented.
“Yeah, well, I still have to get down.” Johnny decided to go for it. Much to his delight, nothing happened. “Good deal!” he said as he picked his furry pal up.
The older man peered into the stall. “It’s probably because he left it all in here.”
Without another word, Gage handed Shadow to Roy and headed for the exit. “No sense putting off the inevitable,” he mumbled as he went to retrieve a mop and bucket to clean up the shower floor.
~*~*~
An hour later, the engine crew returned. By then the paramedics were relaxing in the dayroom, the puppy sleeping on the floor near his bear.
“Thanks for taking care of Shadow, Chet,” Johnny commented.
“Oh, hey, no problem. I went to tie the little guy up and just couldn’t do it.”
Marco shook his head. “More like he wouldn’t let him do it. But we didn’t have any time to waste, so Chet just picked him up while Shadow was still growling and barking, and ran to the locker room, then right to the engine.”
The two paramedics looked at Chet in surprise.
“I knew he was all ‘talk’. . . .like his ‘owner’. Besides I think we came to terms on the issue of who’s in charge. You don’t hear him barking now, do ya?”
Both glanced to where Shadow had been sleeping. He wasn’t there anymore.
“I don’t even see ‘im at all. . .where’d he go? When did he get up? Oh man. . .” Gage groaned as he got to his feet looking around in the process.
“He couldn’t’ve gotten very far,” Chet remarked.
“Mike, did you see where he went?”
“No. Sorry, Johnny, but I was looking at these papers we still have to sort through.”
“Marco?”
“I was paying attention to you guys.”
Johnny looked at Roy.
“Why’re you asking me? I would’ve said something if I noticed him leaving.”
“Well, then where--?”
“Gage!” Came the captain’s voice from the apparatus bay.
Johnny winced and ran out while Chet looked at the others and sighed. “I guess we found John’s dog.”
~*~*~
Hank Stanley stood leaning against the doorway of his office, his arms folded across his chest. He shook his head when he saw Johnny come running out of the dayroom.
“First I want to make it clear, I don’t mind if the puppy comes in my office. . . once in awhile,” he clarified. “But I can’t work with that rubber hamburger squeaking every few seconds.” He cringed when it made the sound again.
Johnny peered inside and could see Shadow under the desk. “He laid there all by himself?”
“Yep. Came right in with the toy in his mouth and plopped down by my feet.”
“He must like ya, Cap,” he said with a smile. But it quickly faded when he got a frown in return.
“Lucky me.” Hank’s expression then brightened and he stood up straight. “Just please keep him busy somewhere else right now. Once I get this paper work done, I may even take him out back and play ball. I’ll probably need the exercise by then just to get the kinks out.”
“So does this mean he could become a mascot for the station after all?”
“No, it means I’m willing to make the best of it while he is here, preferably just today.” He sighed at the younger man’s solemn face. “Look, he’s a cute dog and normally I’d say let ‘im be a mascot. But he’s too young. It’s too much work for all of us. I’m sorry, but I’ve gotta stand by what I said before; he needs a permanent home and soon.”
Johnny nodded in understanding and walked into the office to get Shadow. He got down on his knees and reached under the desk, sliding the pup and rubber hamburger out. “C’mon, boy.”
The two headed toward the dayroom as the captain returned to his work.
~*~*~
“So what did the little mutt chew up?” Chet asked as Johnny came in with Shadow.
“Nothin’. He was just making too much noise.” He dropped the toy on the floor and hooked the leash on Shadow’s collar, then proceeded to take the dog out for a try at a potty break.
“What if he can’t find the puppy a home?” Marco wondered.
All eyes settled on Roy for an answer.
The paramedic sighed and shook his head. “It’s his problem, not mine. . .”
~*~*~
Once Johnny came back in with his charge, the men were once again sorting the papers for the captain. Both paramedics joined in to help. After a short time, and dozens of rubber toy squeaks later, the crew members looked at Johnny and sighed.
“Can’t he play with something else for awhile? Like maybe stick a sock in his mouth?” Chet teased.
“Yeah, Johnny,” Marco agreed. “I can’t concentrate with that noise. After about the fiftieth squeak, it got annoying.”
“I think I’ve looked at the same piece of paper three times now,” Mike put in.
Johnny looked at his partner, expecting him to make a comment as well. Roy shrugged. “I’ve got two kids. I can work through anything.”
The younger paramedic snickered at the comment. He pushed back his chair and got up from the table. After making his way over to Shadow near the couch, he took away the rubber burger and gave the dog a rawhide chew that had been in the bag with the dog food. Satisfied he’d made everyone happy, Johnny returned to the table, a smug grin on his face.
~*~*~
Ten minutes after Gage rejoined the others, a light scraping sound could be heard from across the room.
“What is that?” asked Chet, a bewildered expression on his face.
“That's just Shadow trying to bury his rawhide bone.”
He gave Johnny a puzzled look. “Gage, it's a linoleum floor . . .how can he bury a bone?”
“He thinks he is. He just puts it in a corner like that," Johnny explained, pointing to the puppy, “then he kind of paws at the floor to ‘bury’ it. When he gets it about right, he finalizes it by pushing the rest of the ‘dirt’ up with his nose.”
“Whatever. Sounds kinda strange to me.”
“Chet, he's a normal puppy. All dogs bury bones.”
“If you ask me, it’s just another quirk. He has a lot of those, huh?”
Johnny looked to Roy for help. “Hey, since you’ve got the one dog, tell’im how they are about this stuff.”
“Mine’s never done that. He’s always chewed on a bone in the house, buried it if he was outside.”
“Some help you are,” the younger paramedic mumbled. “Look, I’ll bet if you put a hundred dogs together, at least fifty, maybe sixty of them would do the same thing.”
“He’s probably right,” Mike said, addressing Kelly. “I had a dog years ago that would do that.”
“Our Chihuahua doesn’t,” Marco added.
“There ya see?” Johnny asked. “Mine and Mike’s have done it; Roy’s and Marco’s haven’t. There’s your fifty percent right there.”
Chet sat quiet for a few seconds. Just when Johnny thought he had won, the curly haired fireman came up with more.
“Yeah, but then ya have Boot. . .remember him? And my grandma’s and sister’s dogs added in the equation, and your percentage goes down. Of course, Henry never did anything; naturally he doesn't count. So--”
“Chet!”
The curly haired fireman grinned. Got ‘im goin’ again. Maybe it’s more fun with the dog here after all.
~*~*~
Soon the papers were sorted and Hank helped his crew gather them by putting each stack in a folder of its own. Once the table was cleared, the captain volunteered to make clam chowder for lunch.
“You want help, Cap?” Mike wondered.
“No, that’s okay. You guys take a break. . .maybe shoot some hoops.” He glanced at the little black puppy sitting nearby, his tail wagging. “And take Junior here with ya.”
Johnny looked at Roy. Putting up a hand, he sighed. “Don’t say it. Besides, it’s not really my nickname.” He walked over and picked Shadow up. “C’mon, boy.”
The men were filing out of the room when the phone rang. Being the closest to it, Roy answered while the others paused waiting to find out who it was for. The senior paramedic smiled and motioned for his partner to step over.
“It’s for you.”
“Me?”
He nodded. “Yes, you.”
“Is it a chick?”
“Better. It’s about Shadow.”
Johnny didn’t know how to feel. He was relieved that this might be the end of his search for Shadow’s new home; at the same time he felt disappointed that their time together might be nearly over. And he sure would have loved it to be a chick on the other end of the line either way. He handed the puppy to Roy and took the telephone receiver.
The remainder of the crew gathered nearby and waited to hear the outcome. Captain Stanley continued with the preparation of his clam chowder, but turned to watch and listen as well.
“Uh huh.
“Yeah.
“Sure, he’s about nine weeks old.
“House broken?” He glanced at the others and furrowed his brow at their amused expressions.
“Uh. . .I’ve been workin’ on that.
“Okay, good deal. See ya then.”
Johnny hung up the receiver and grinned. “Looks like we found ya a home,” he said, rubbing Shadow’s head.
Roy waited for his partner to take the pup back. After a few seconds, Johnny noticed the pleading stare and took the dog from his friend.
“Hey, congratulations, John,” Chet said, patting him on the back. “You’re finally gonna be free of the little nuisance.”
“Yeah, I guess I am.”
“When does he get to meet his new master?” Marco asked.
“The guy says he’ll be over as soon as he can.”
“How’d he hear about Shadow?” Roy wondered.
“He’s a friend of Tom Wheeler’s.”
The men headed out of the room and through the apparatus bay toward the back parking lot while Hank went on with lunch preparations. No sooner had the firemen reached the back entrance, when the tones sounded, sending the squad off on another run.
Not knowing what else to do, Johnny handed the dog to Mike. “Just keep ‘im busy till I get back.”
Mike’s mouth opened to reply, but the dark-haired paramedic was already on his way toward the squad. Chet shook his head. “You could always just stick him in the shower.”
~*~*~
An hour and a half later, the paramedics returned from their response. This time the engine was still there, which came as a relief to Johnny. As he and Roy entered the dayroom, both looked around for Shadow. But all they could find was his toy bear and burger.
Both headed out to the back lot to see if the pup was outside with the others.
“Hey, Johnny,” Chet said with a smile. “Your little liability is out of here. You’re free, pal.”
“Whataya mean?”
“What do I mean?” He looked at Mike and Marco. “Did I stutter?”
“Mr. Benson came and got Shadow,” Mike informed. “He’s gone.”
“Gone?” Johnny didn’t want to let it show, but he could feel an emptiness come over him that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He was so sure that giving the dog away was the best thing to do; it was the only answer that made sense. After all, he wasn’t ready to move just to accommodate a pet he hadn’t even planned on. But he hadn’t been prepared for the heartache he suddenly felt. “Already?” He forced a smile. “Hey, that’s great.”
Roy wasn’t sure how to take his partner’s reaction. He seemed happy, but was he? There was something about the way Johnny had asked ‘already?’ Maybe Mike had been right earlier. Maybe deep down, Gage didn’t really want to give up the puppy.
“We thought you’d be happy. And to make the day even better, we left you two some of Cap’s clam chowder. It’s in the fridge. You just have to warm it up.”
“Great. . . great,” Johnny commented.
“You okay, Johnny?” Mike wondered.
“Yeah, I’m okay. I guess I was just thinkin’ I’d have a chance to say bye. But maybe it’s better this way.”
He turned and slowly started for the dayroom.
“Roy?”
“He’ll be fine, Mike. It’s just kind of sudden.” Roy hoped he was right.
~*~*~
When Roy walked into the dayroom, Johnny was sitting on the couch, the toy bear in his hands. He looked up and smiled. “Shadow’s gonna have a hard time sleepin’ without his buddy here. But at least the guys sent the food with him.”
“Look, why don’t you call Mr. Benson back and tell him you changed your mind?”
“I can’t. I’d have to call Wheeler to get his number and, Roy, fact is, I couldn’t keep the dog in my apartment much longer and Cap was right. A puppy is too much work to have around here.”
DeSoto nodded and glanced at the refrigerator. “You want some clam chowder?”
Johnny shook his head, still holding onto the toy bear. “Nah, I’m not hungry.”
Roy suddenly wished he’d adopted the puppy. At least then Shadow would’ve been in the ‘family’ and close by for Johnny to visit. He realized he wasn’t very hungry either.
~*~*~
Paul Benson watched as his new puppy ran happily around his large grassy yard. A widower with three grown children that lived in different parts of California, he figured a dog was just the company he needed around his place out away from the city.
He had two horses he kept for friends from the city, and a few stray cats that liked to hang around, but that was the extent of his pet collection until now.
Paul squatted down and called the puppy over. “C’mon, boy!”
Shadow came running, his tail wagging happily. The man reached out and patted his head. “Let’s see. What should I call you? I’m not really fond of Shadow for a name. How ‘bout we call you Ranger? Maybe it’ll make you into a good watch dog. There’s a lot to be said for a name, you know.”
Shadow just stood by, enjoying the attention. Soon the two were on their way as the little dog got a tour of his new home.
~*~*~
Hank Stanley smiled at the two paramedics as he came into the dayroom to refill his coffee cup. “Well, I’ll bet you feel relieved now that the puppy has a new home,” he remarked to Johnny.
Roy glanced at his partner with concern, figuring each time the younger man heard that kind of remark, he was going to miss Shadow even more.
Johnny tossed the toy bear aside and once again hid his unhappiness with a grin. “Yeah, Cap. It’s really good to know I won’t have to deal with any more of his mishaps. And I get my bathroom back to myself; I won’t have to line the floor with newspapers anymore.”
“You must feel like twenty pounds have been lifted off your shoulders.” Hank turned around with his cup in his hand. As he lifted it to take a sip, he asked, “Did you guys get your clam chowder?”
“Uh. . .thanks for saving some but really, Cap, I’m not hungry.”
“Roy?”
“I might have some later.”
The captain lowered his cup and looked from one man to the other. “Last time you guys were like this, something was wrong with Joe Early. Did something happen again?”
“No, he’s fine. Everyone’s fine. It’s just--”
“I think we just went past the point of being hungry,” Johnny interrupted. “You know how it is if you don’t get to eat right away. After awhile, you’re not hungry anymore.” He looked at Roy and shrugged.
“Okay, but if you change your minds, it’s in the refrigerator. You’ve just gotta warm it up.”
“Thanks, Cap,” both men said.
After Hank left the room, Johnny picked up the two dog toys. “Guess I don’t need these anymore.” He tossed the items in the trash can and walked out of the room.
Roy chewed on his lower lip in thought as he watched his partner leave. He knew Johnny would snap out of his funk eventually. After all, he had a tendency to get over set backs fairly quickly and move on to the next idea. The senior paramedic just hoped it would be one of those instances where Johnny came out of it in record time.
~*~*~
Late in the evening, Johnny and Roy were returning to the station after taking a gun shot victim into Rampart. Two young punks had held up a convenience store and shot the cashier in the process. A customer was the one to call for help.
“You know, a lot of people say we’ve got one of the most dangerous jobs, but I’m beginnin’ to wonder.”
Roy answered as he made a left turn. “I suppose it depends on how you look at it. But I prefer doing what we do as opposed to working alone in a store behind a cash register.”
“Robberies in these little shops are just gettin’ to be too common.”
DeSoto took a quick glance at the younger man. Maybe if I get him hung up about *this* subject, he’ll forget about the dog. “I know if my kids were old enough to work, I wouldn’t like ‘em in a job like that. Joanne would have a fit too.”
“I wonder what would be a good deterrent. You know somethin’s gotta be done before it gets way outta hand. And there sure can’t be a cop hangin’ out at every location.”
“Well, if you think of anything, feel free to bounce the idea off of me.”
Johnny looked at the street ahead. “Don’t worry. If I think of anything, you’ll be the first to know.”
Roy couldn’t help but smile. It seemed as though his strategy had worked.
~*~*~
Once they arrived back at the station, the two paramedics found the engine crew anxious to turn in for the night. It was already after 10:00 and the men were worn out. Johnny headed for the locker room while Marco and Chet stopped Roy in the apparatus bay to question him about his partner.
“Hey, what’s up with Johnny?” Chet wondered.
“Yeah,” Marco added, “He’s been too quiet today. More like Mike than himself.”
“He’s okay,” Roy explained. “I don’t think he was quite ready for the puppy to be adopted. It happened kinda fast, you know?”
Chet looked at Roy in surprise. “Don’t tell me he has regrets. That little dog was nothin’ but trouble.”
“Yeah, but sometimes even trouble or chaos is better to come home to than a quiet place with no one waiting to greet ya.”
Both had to admit he was right. Though it often was a relief to go home from duty and find some solitude for awhile, it wasn’t always what was desired.
~*~*~
“There you go.” Paul Benson stood back and placed his hands on his hips as he watched Shadow go into the wooden dog house he’d bought earlier in the day. With an old blanket folded up inside, Paul figured it would be comfortable enough for the puppy to sleep in. He decided he didn’t want his new companion to be an indoor dog, so it seemed only right to start the little guy off this way. It made the ‘not-quite-house-broken issue’ no longer so important.
Benson smiled when he saw the little face peeking out of the large opening, just slightly visible in the dark outdoors. “Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it. See you in the morning.” As he started for the house, Shadow ran to join him. Paul looked down at the dog and shook his head. “Your place is over there,” he said, pointing to the dog house. He picked up the pup and carried him back over, setting him down just inside the doorway. “You’ve got water, food, a cozy sleeping place; you’ll be okay.” He turned and walked away, looking back once to say, “No! Stay!” in a firm voice when Shadow tried to follow him again.
The little dog sat down where he was and watched with sad eyes as his new owner continued to walk away. He whimpered, but the only response Shadow got was a quick wave and another, “You’ll be okay.”
He slowly made his way back to the dog house and laid down inside. After a few seconds, he was on his feet again and going around in circles before settling down in another spot. Shadow changed his position two more times before he finally stayed put. He laid his head down and gave a heavy sigh.
~*~*~
Johnny lay awake in his bed at the station while the other men slept. The conversation with Roy about small stores and hold-ups was still on his mind, thus he was finding it impossible to get settled for the night.
He could hear Chet and Mike each snoring slightly. Normally it wouldn’t keep him awake as tired as he was from the busy day. But unable to sleep anyway, this time the sound was annoying.
The paramedic sat up, and pushed back his covers. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, pulling on his turnout pants and putting on his shoes. Johnny slowly and quietly made his way to the dayroom.
After retrieving a carton of milk from the refrigerator, he poured some into a glass he’d gotten out of the cupboard, then returned the carton to its original spot. He picked up the glass and took a drink, swallowing as something caught his attention from across the room. Johnny set the glass down on the counter and walked over to the corner near the couch. It was the rawhide chew that Shadow had ‘buried’. He picked it up and smiled as he looked at the little teeth marks left behind.
“Dumb dog. Chet was right. It’s stupid to bury a bone on a linoleum floor.”
Gage then went over to the trash can and was about to drop the chew in when he saw the two toys he’d tossed away earlier in the day.
Man, I’ve had break-ups with *chicks* that were easier than this. What am I gonna do? He’s just a stupid dog; he’s more trouble than he’s worth. And I sure couldn’t keep ‘im at the apartment. . .he’s probably better off where he’s at anyway. . .
“Maybe Mr. Benson’ll call and want these things if Shadow’s unhappy. . .”
With justification for keeping them, Johnny got the other discarded toys out of the can and took the three items to his locker. The door still open, he sat on the edge and sighed. It wasn’t going to be easy to walk into his quiet apartment the following morning when he got off duty. He’d have to find something to keep busy.
~*~*~
The following shift, Johnny parked his Land Rover behind the station and climbed out. He noticed his shiftmates’ cars were already in place, thus he was the last to arrive. The paramedic figured that was both good and bad. Good because maybe they were already in uniform and hanging out in the dayroom; bad because if any of them were still getting changed, he would most likely have to participate in some idle chit chat he wasn’t in the mood for.
He glanced at his watch and with a sigh, headed for the locker room.
~*~*~
Much to Johnny’s relief, he found himself alone. He unbuttoned his white shirt and reached in his locker, pulling out a blue uniform shirt. As the clothes hanging up inside moved with the gesture, the paramedic caught a glimpse of the dog toys he’d stuck in there the previous shift.
“Hey, you made it.”
Gage startled at the sound of his partner’s voice behind him, then turned and forced a wide crooked grin. “What’dya think? I was gonna call in late? Those days are over, remember? I’m a free man.”
Roy gave the younger man a wary look. “So, how was your first ‘free’ day in over a week?”
“Well, it wasn’t too bad actually. I went for a hike. . .took my camera of course,” he answered as he continued to get changed.
His friend nodded and waited for more.
“Then I came home and watched some TV.”
“That’s it?”
“Whataya mean, ‘that’s it’?”
“I don’t know. It just seems like maybe you’d do a little more than that.”
“Hiking wears a guy out. Besides, what’d you do?”
The older man shrugged. “I took care of a few things around the house, played with the kids. . .took Mayor to the ve--” he cut himself off in mid sentence.
“It’s okay to talk about your dog, Roy. It’s no big deal; honest. I’m happy with how things turned out.” Johnny turned and reached in to retrieve his trousers out of his locker. This time the motion knocked the squeaky hamburger on the floor at his feet. He quickly picked it up and placed it back inside, immediately changing the subject. “By the way,” he said as he again faced Roy, “I had a lotta time to think about a solution to the increase in small-business robberies, and I got an idea.”
DeSoto leaned against his own locker door, his arms folded across his chest. “What is it?”
“Security guards.” Johnny tucked in his shirt and fastened his pants, then continued to explain, his hands moving animatedly as he talked. “I figure if each place hires security guards so that they have one there the whole time they’re open, they won’t get hit anymore.”
Roy thought a moment and then shook his head. “Won’t work.”
“Sure it would. Most of the time anyway. I mean, there’s always gonna be those few brazen punks who try something’ regardless, but not all of ‘em’ll take an armed guard lightly.”
Again DeSoto shook his head as he moved away from his locker and put a foot up on the bench nearby; he rested his right forearm on his raised knee, his left arm over it. “Most small businesses can’t afford to have that kind of expense on their payroll. They can’t hire someone for a ‘just in case’ kind of job.”
Johnny frowned. “You know, you’re right.” He closed his locker and put a foot up on the bench several inches from Roy’s, then began to tie his shoes.
“Hey, you tried.” The senior paramedic looked toward Gage’s locker where the dog toys were hidden. “Did you get your apartment cleaned out?”
“Huh?”
“Of the puppy stuff. You know . . . the paper and things like that in your bathroom.”
“Oh. . .kinda. I mean, I tossed out the paper the morning Shadow and I came to work. But I. . .uh. . . didn’t do anything extra yesterday. I was tired. You know, hiking--”
“Wears a person out.” He interrupted. “I know.”
Johnny finished with his shoes and stood up straight, glancing at his watch. “Man, we’d better get a move on. Look at the time.” He hurried for the door leading to the apparatus bay. He didn’t want his friend to know that the hike had only reminded him of the canine pal he’d given up.
Roy took another look at his partner’s now closed locker before following behind the younger man.
~*~*~
“Well, look who decided to show up,” Chet commented as Johnny entered the dayroom. He looked at his watch. “Pushin’ to the deadline, huh, Gage?”
“I hit every red light on the way here,” the paramedic defended “You wouldn’t want me runnin’ any red lights, would ya?” When he saw a smirk start on the fireman’s face, he quickly added, “Never mind. Don’t answer that.” Johnny looked at a few cups sitting on the counter near the stove. “Any coffee left?” He took two steps forward when Hank Stanley entered behind Roy, announcing roll call.
On the way out to the apparatus bay, Chet called to his favorite person to tease, “By the way, you hear that sound, Johnny?”
“What sound?”
The others looked equally as baffled.
“It’s the sound of a quiet station without a little mutt running around.”
Johnny mumbled something incoherent under his breath and headed out the doorway.
“I’m not sure that was a good idea,” Marco commented. “He didn’t take it very well.”
“It’s been a whole day and a half since he gave the pup away. He’s either gotta get over it or mope around the rest of his life.” He shrugged. “I’m helpin’ him get over it.”
“How?”
“With humor, Marco. Haven’t ya ever heard the saying, ‘humor is the best medicine’?”
“I don’t know, Chet. I don’t think whoever said that had yours in mind.” With that he followed the rest of the crew to the apparatus bay.
“Hey! That wasn’t very funny.”
~*~*~
After roll call, the paramedics were sent out to do a few fire safety inspections on local businesses while the engine crew hung hoses on the rack at the station. Between stops on their list, Johnny looked out the passenger window, wondering what Shadow was doing on his second full day at his new home.
Roy glanced now and then at his partner, finally saying, “Look, if you still miss him that much, call the guy and get him back.”
Gage couldn’t hide the stunned expression on his face. “How’d you know?”
“Know what?”
“What I was thinkin’ about?”
“Remember when Joanne and I were gonna be on that game show? And you said how well we. . .you and I. . .knew each other?”
“Yeah. . .”
“Well, I guess in a way we do. And I can tell you’re still wishing you had the dog back.”
“Well, I can’t take him back and that’s that. I’m just gonna have to get used to it,” he shrugged. “I know he’s better off. I’ve just gotta convince myself. That’s all.”
Roy did a double take at his partner. Did Johnny just say what he thought he’d said? Deciding he was better off without a further explanation, Roy kept quiet and his attention on the road. Maybe that was his strategy. . .confuse me to shut me up. . .either that or he’s really lost it.
~*~*~
Two hours later Johnny and Roy finally returned to the station, and were climbing out of the squad when Mike came toward them from the dayroom.
“Johnny, you’ve got a phone call.”
“Who is it? Is it a girl?”
“No, it’s Mr. Benson. He says it’s important.”
Roy had never seen his partner hurry so fast for a phone call. Evidently the younger man forgot he wasn’t supposed to show how much Shadow still mattered to him.
~*~*~
“This is John Gage.
“Yes, sir.
“Uh. . .vet records? What for?
“Uh huh.
“Uh huh.
“Is he okay?
“Well, sure. It was the vet office at Camille Street and Palm Avenue.
“Okay. You’re welcome.”
He hung up the receiver and looked at Roy, Mike, Marco and Chet, who had been listening to the one-side of the conversation.
“What was that all about?” Roy asked.
Johnny ran a hand through his hair and looked at the phone as if he wished he could’ve gotten even more information. “Shadow had to go to the vet yesterday. He. . .uh. . .he got hurt. And that vet wanted to know if he was up on all his shots.” His gaze shifted to the others. “So Mr. Benson needed to get the records from the one I used.”
“What happened?” Mike asked.
“Mr. Benson said Shad . . .er. . .Ranger. . . found a stray cat that hangs out around the place and didn’t realize it recently had kittens. So apparently she didn’t like him near her babies and the two kinda got into it.”
“That must’ve been some fight for him to need a vet,” Roy said.
“Ranger?”
Johnny nodded at Chet’s one-word question and then looked at Roy.
“Oh, the cat wasn’t what did it. Not exactly. I guess it was when . . .uh. . .Shado. . . .Ranger. . .ran to get away. He took a look over his shoulder while still in motion and Mr. Benson said he plowed right into the side of his dog house; got a mild concussion.”
“Geez. . .he’s only been there a day and a half and he’s already in the dog house?”
Gage gave Chet an annoyed look.
“Maybe you shoulda kept him after all,” the fireman continued, a serious expression on his face. When he saw that he had Johnny’s full attention he made his hit. “I mean, you could’ve taught him the ropes of handling a stray cat that’s just had kittens. You sure did a heck of a lot better than him. And a concussion? Man, the similarities between you two just never end. Before ya know, he’ll have a strange monkey virus.”
“Chet, cut it out!”
“I just call ‘em like I see ‘em, Gage.”
Johnny leaned against the wall near the phone and sighed, giving his partner a woeful look. . It’d be a *lot* easier to take if Chet wasn’t right.
~*~*~
The next morning, Johnny entered his apartment and sat down on the couch. He rubbed a hand across his face as he thought about Shadow getting a concussion. The paramedic hadn’t mentioned the pup the remainder of the shift. He didn’t want to let on that a few things about the situation were still nagging at him.
For one, he didn’t agree with a dog just over two months old being stuck out in a dog house. Maybe it’s for later and Mr. Benson just has it ready for when Shad. . .Ranger. . .gets older. But if not. . .
That brought him to the next annoyance; the name change. How does anyone just change a dog’s name like it didn’t have one before? And *Ranger*? In his mind, the name didn’t fit.
And then there was the injury. He’d been so sure that giving the puppy away was going to be a better deal for the animal. But maybe he should’ve screened the adopter first. Maybe I took the situation too lightly. . .
It was too late to change any of it. All he could do was learn from his mistakes concerning Shadow and hope it all would work out.
“I’m sorry, buddy,” he voiced out loud. “Man, who’d ever expect a simple thing like adopting out a puppy to be so complicated; it was so much easier with Sam. But I guess that’s ‘cause I didn’t have her as long. . .and she didn’t have as much personality.” Geesh, and I thought the cat who had kittens on my bed was messin’ up my life. . .I guess Roy was right. Havin' a puppy is a bigger deal than I thought after all.
He slowly got to his feet and headed for the shower.
~*~*~
During the next shift on duty, Gage and DeSoto were clearing dirty dishes from lunch off the table after the engine crew was sent out on a call involving a dumpster fire several blocks down the street. Roy placed the six plates on the counter and turned on the faucet to fill the sink. He added a few drops of dish soap while the water was still running.
“Wash or dry?”
“Hmm?” Johnny made his second trip to the sink with the remainder of the drinking glasses.
“You wanna wash or dry the dishes?”
“Uh. . .dry. I’ll dry ‘em.”
“Here ya go,” Roy said, tossing the towel to his partner.
Johnny caught it and stood waiting for something to use it on.
“So have you thought of anymore solutions to the robbery problems?”
“No. . .I gave up with the security guard idea.”
“It was a good suggestion. Security guards sure seem to make a difference keeping banks from being held up more often.” He turned off the faucet and put a few dishes in the soapy water.
“I guess since the stakes are higher there it makes more sense, though I suppose you ask anyone in a holdup and they’ll see their stakes just as high. . .I mean, how does anyone put a price on human life? Whose is worth protecting and whose isn’t. . .”
“But they know what they’re going into when they get the job.”
“I knew what I was gettin’ into when I appointed myself a ‘foster parent’ to a puppy. But I still didn’t think it all the way through. I never thought about how it would end. Maybe if the small business owners would, they’d put out a little more money for their employees’ safety.”
Roy opened his mouth to reply when the klaxons sounded.
“Squad 51, Engine 51, motor vehicle accident, 1932 East Spring Street, one nine three two East Spring Street, time out 12:41.”
Johnny set the plate and towel on the counter and followed his partner out to the apparatus bay, where Roy acknowledged the call. The two climbed into the squad and put on their helmets.
“Guess the dumpster fire couldn’t’ve amounted to much.”
Roy turned the key in the ignition and drove forward. “Let’s hope this doesn’t either.”
~*~*~
When the paramedics arrived at the scene, they saw a blue pickup truck that had gone head-on into a telephone pole. The driver’s side door was partially open and a man could be seen sitting inside with his head tilted back. An officer was standing near the truck.
Two patrol cars were present; the other officers were waiting near them and watching as the red truck came to a stop. The engine hadn’t arrived yet.
The paramedics got out of the squad and gathered their gear from the compartments while one of the policemen filled them in.
“Witnesses said a red sports car cut this guy off in the intersection and all he could do was swerve to miss it. He ended up going straight into the pole. Luckily he was on the brakes so his speed was decreased. The skid marks are all over the place.”
“How bad is he hurt? You know?”
The officer shook his head. “One man said the guy was unconscious after it first happened, though. He was still kind of out of it when we got here.” He nodded toward the wrecked truck. “My partner’s been with him since, just tryin’ to keep him alert.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Johnny and Roy hurried over to the vehicle. When they got there, the other officer stepped back and allowed them to take over.
“Sir, can you tell me where you’re hurt?” Johnny asked as Roy got out the BP cuff. Both men noticed a lump and bruise on the driver’s forehead where he’d apparently hit his head on the windshield. The glass had a slight spider webbed crack where the impact had taken place.
“My head hurts. . .right leg does too.”
“I understand you lost consciousness,” the dark-haired paramedic quickly examined the man’s pupils with his pen light. He then looked to Roy. “Equal and reactive.”
“I’ll get Rampart on the line.”
“Okay.” Gage reached out carefully for the victim’s left wrist and checked the pulse. When he was done, he gave the information to Roy. The senior paramedic then handed him the BP cuff. Johnny again carefully touched the injured man’s arm and placed the cuff on him.
“Can. . .can you guys. . .jus get me outta. . .here?”
“We’re working on that, sir. First we’ve gotta see if there’s any injures we need to be careful of in moving you. We don’t wanna make a bad situation worse.”
The man tried to nod to acknowledge what was said, but winced in pain at the slight motion.
“Don’t move,” Johnny directed. “Roy, we’re gonna need the c-collar and a backboard.”
The engine arrived and the crew climbed down, joining the others at the truck. “What’ve we got?” Hank wondered.
“One victim,” Johnny stated.
“Cap, we’re gonna need the backboard to get him out of there.”
“Okay, Marco, you wanna get that?”
“Sure, Cap.” He turned and trotted toward the squad.
Chet’s eyes widened when he noticed who the victim was. Mr. Benson? Oh man, what’re the odds of this? It then dawned on him there wasn’t any sign of a dog. . .Maybe he left the little trouble maker at home. . .I hope For the first time, he felt genuine concern for Shadow. For the moment he was glad Johnny didn’t appear to know who his patient was.
Gage gave the BP reading to Roy, along with respirations, then skillfully checked their patient over for other possible injuries.
Marco returned with the backboard and handed it to Johnny as the paramedic gave his partner more information. “He’s got a fractured right fibula. There’s some bruising on his chest, but there doesn’t seem to be a sign of any fracture. You’re very lucky,” he informed the victim.
“Mr. Benson!” Lopez exclaimed in surprise.
Johnny felt a jolt at the mention of the name. He glanced over his shoulder and took in the shocked expressions on his shiftmates’ faces, then turned to face Shadow’s current owner. “Mr. Benson, were you. . .uh. . . alone?”
“Um.. . .yeah. ‘Cept for. . .the dog.”
Johnny continued in preparing the victim to be removed. Finished with his transmission with Rampart, Roy went around to the other side of the truck. He was glad to see that the police had managed to get that door opened as well and that it was just in a loosely closed position. He pulled it open and climbed inside to assist with applying the c-collar and a leg splint. It was then he noticed a clump of something on the floor.
Wet birdseed?
As he worked, Johnny questioned, “Well, where is he?”
“I think a cop. . . took him out.”
Roy looked down at the mess on the floor. The puppy’s motion sickness had struck again. But birdseed? Odds were that Mr. Benson was on his way to the vet when the accident happened. Roy was aware that the seed could cause a serious problem for dogs that ingested it.
Johnny wanted to find out more on Shadow’s condition and whereabouts. But he shoved those thoughts aside and kept his attention on Paul Benson. He could try to get more information on the pup later. But then again, it wasn’t his responsibility anymore. He could turn his head the other way and never have to worry about the little dog again.
Quit kiddin’ yourself. You wanna know if he’s okay.
~*~*~
Hank also couldn’t deny his concern. He trotted over to one of the officers near a police car. “Any idea how bad the puppy in the vehicle was injured?”
The man shook his head. “He was whisked away pretty quick; not sure if that was injury related or not.”
“Can you tell me which vet he was taken to?”
“I can find out.”
“I’d appreciate it.” Hank sighed. Even if it turned out that Gage didn’t want to know, he needed to find out if the little dog was okay. While the policeman got the information, the captain returned to the wrecked truck.
~*~*~
Once Paul was out of the vehicle and ready to transport, Johnny helped to lift the stretcher into the back of the ambulance as Roy placed the biophone and drug box inside on the floor. He then turned to his partner.
“You want me to go in with him?”
“Nah, I’ll go.”
Hank Stanley approached the two paramedics. “Let Mr. Benson know the puppy was taken to a vet. No one’s sure how bad he was injured.”
“Thanks, Cap.”
Roy watched as Johnny climbed up inside; he then closed the doors and gave them two slaps to indicate they were secure. Both the captain and senior paramedic stood looking a moment as the ambulance pulled away.
“I’d better get going,” Roy commented. He trotted toward the squad.
~*~*~
Johnny was double checking the adjustment on the IV when he heard Paul Benson weakly call out.
“Hey. . .”
Gage looked down and noticed a grimace on his patient’s face. Though he’d been in pain from the fractured bone in his leg, the paramedics were unable to administer any pain medication due to the head injury. “Don’t worry; once we get to Rampart they’ll be able to give you somethin’ for the pain.”
“No, it’s not. . .not that.”
Gage furrowed his brow in curiosity.
“You wan. . . your dog back?”
“What?”
“The dog, you wanim? He was yours. . .right?”
The paramedic could imagine the look on his partner’s face if he agreed. Roy’s expression would read ‘You’re nuts.’ Still it was a good sign that despite the concussion, Mr. Benson had been able to reason the circumstances out and determine who Johnny was. But is he really thinking clearly?
“Yeah, he was mine. But look, you’ve got a concussion. Maybe this isn’t a good time for you ta make the deci--”
“He’s too much. . . trouble for me.”
“I--,” Johnny began when Paul Benson once again interrupted him.
“I’ve never had a dog. . .who could get into so many messes.” Paul paused a moment to work through the pain from his leg again. “It’s only been two days. . .and we were on our second trip. . .to the vet. First the concussion. . .then he nearly. . .got kicked by a horse. The mutt eats birdseed. . .and now look.”
Gage opened his mouth to reply, but Paul continued on.
“I’ve never been. . .in a car accident before. And it couldn’t be. . .just a fender-bender.” He paused before adding, “You know, that dog. . .should come with a hazard warning.”
The paramedic looked toward the rear doors of the ambulance. He thought about Roy and the engine crew. They wouldn’t let him live it down if he got himself stuck with Shadow again. He’d never hear the end of it.
~*~*~
When Roy got to Rampart, he found Johnny coming out of Treatment Room Two.
“How is he doing?”
The younger man smiled. “Pretty good. He’s gonna be here awhile. But he’ll be okay.”
“That’s good. I guess Shadow. . .er. . .Ranger. . .will have to stay at the vet’s till Mr. Benson gets released.”
“Well, not exactly.”
Roy looked at his partner in surprise. “Don’t tell me you’ve offered to puppy-sit!”
“No, no. . .no, I didn’t.” He noticed the doubtful expression on DeSoto’s face. “I didn’t. Roy, I know better’n that.”
“So what exactly does ‘not exactly’ mean?”
“It means. . .well. . .it means that I’m gettin’ Shadow back.” Johnny looked at a nurse passing by, then at anything else he could to avoid eye contact with Roy. “Permanently,” he finished in a quiet tone.
The older man’s eyes widened. “You’ve gotta be kidding. You just got the burden of finding him a home off your shoulders. You were a free man.”
“I know. . .I know. It’s just. . .well. . .” he sighed. “Ah hell, Roy. Mr’ Benson didn’t want ‘im anymore. I had to take him back.”
“Have you forgotten you live in an apartment with a ‘no pet’ clause? Wasn’t the grace period Mrs. Mullins gave you about up?”
“No I haven’t and yes it was. But. . .” He sighed again and rubbed a hand across his chin. “Well, you know how Shadow’s a little. . .accident prone.”
Roy nodded, eliciting a frown from his partner. His answer had come a little too easily for Johnny’s liking. But the younger man continued.
“Uh. . .well. . . Mr. Benson was afraid it was rubbing off on ‘im.”
“But--”
“Roy, the man really wants to get rid of the pup. He even said he’d still pay the vet bill if I’d take the dog back. I couldn’t turn ‘im down.”
“So where are you gonna keep him?”
“I’ve got an idea. I just have to make a phone call when we get back.”
“Uh huh.” Roy couldn’t hide the pessimism in his voice. “Good luck explaining this one to Cap.”
“Relax. If my plan works, Shadow won’t even have to be in the station for very long. I’ve just gotta find out what vet he’s at. . .and if he’s well enough to leave there yet.”
~*~*~
Roy spent the drive to the station trying to talk his partner out of taking back Shadow. But it was no use. When Johnny got set on an idea, he was determined, and this was no exception.
The senior paramedic backed the squad into the apparatus bay. As soon as it was stopped, Johnny climbed out and walked around the front to meet up with his partner.
“Maybe I can call the vet I used and find out which office contacted them after Mr. Benson called me. It’s a shot in the dark, but. . .”
Having overheard the conversation, Hank Stanley stepped out of his office. “If you’re trying to locate the puppy, he’s at the ‘Pet Perks Veterinary Clinic’ on South Alameda Street.”
Both paramedics looked at him in surprise, their mouths hanging open slightly.
He looked at them in equal surprise. “What? Look, I may be your captain, but I’m still human, ya know. I just wanted. . .to make sure the little guy was okay.”
The two men continued to stare in stunned silence.
Hank looked from one to the other. “Well, do you wanna know how he is?”
“Yeah. . .yeah. . .’course,” Johnny said, finally over the surprise.
“He’s alright. He broke his rear left leg in the accident . . . probably was thrown off the seat and landed wrong. But because of the officer getting him to the vet so soon, he should heal completely.”
Running a hand through his hair, Johnny breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. That’s good. Thanks, Cap.”
Hank smiled. “No problem. So how is Mr. Benson? How long till he can reunite with his dog? Does he have any relatives who can take care of the pup for now?” The blank expressions on the paramedics’ faces had him guessing again, a sour look on his face. “Don’t tell me you volunteered to puppy-sit. . .”
Johnny was suddenly having a dejavu’. “No. . .’course not, Cap,” he snorted.
Roy rolled his eyes and waited for his partner to explain the rest.
~*~*~
“So who is Gage calling?” Chet asked from his seat at the table. Having taken care of the dishes left by Johnny and Roy, he and Marco were looking over some magazines some of the guys from C-shift had brought in the previous shift.
Roy was sitting on the couch, his eyes on the telephone as he debated about calling Joanne. “I don’t know. He wouldn’t say. He said he didn’t want to jinx his idea by giving away too many details too soon.”
“He really wants to keep it a secret,” Mike added having just come in from the apparatus bay. “He just made me leave the dorm room as soon as I walked in. Wouldn’t say another word to whoever was on the other end of the line till I was gone.”
“I would’ve loved to see him try to explain it to Cap,” Marco put in.
“It was quite a feat on his part,” Roy said with a grin. “As much as he can carry on about something, I’ve never heard ‘im talk so fast and get a lot of words out, yet not really say much. I mean, I don’t think Cap knew what to think when he got done.”
“You know what they say,” Chet said. “If ya can’t dazzle ‘em with your brilliance, baffle ‘em with your bullshit.” He looked around at the others. “Not that Johnny is brilliant. It’s the second half I was referring to.”
Roy’s attention was back to the phone across the room.
~*~*~
After being in the dorm for twenty minutes, Johnny came into the dayroom, a smile on his face.
“You sure look happy,” DeSoto commented. “I take it things went as planned?”
Gage glanced at the others and then looked at Roy. “Yup. So, you ready to go pick up Shadow?”
“Sure. You know he’s probably gonna be a bit groggy. I’m sure he’s been sedated.”
“Yeah, they already explained that to me. He’s not the lively puppy we’ve seen up till now. I’ve also gotta keep ‘im from very much activity for about a week. I guess you could say he’s on bed rest till then.”
“Oh that ought ta be fun,” Chet remarked.
“How are you going to make sure he stays still when we aren’t here?” Marco wondered.
Johnny held up a hand to stop the questions. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it all taken care of.”
Roy got to his feet and started toward the door. He stopped when he reached his partner. “Did they get the rest of the birdseed out of his stomach?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. I wouldn’t wanna be explaining a mess like that in the squad to Cap.”
“Man, don’t I know it,” Johnny said. “Don’t I know it.”
~*~*~
It wasn’t long before the paramedics returned to the station. Johnny climbed out of the squad with Shadow resting in his arms. Though the puppy seemed glad to see him, it hadn’t been able to do much beyond one tail wag to indicate that.
Johnny carried him into the dayroom where the others were busy tidying up the place.
“You know, that dog has gotten you outta more work lately,” Marco commented.
“We’ll help, won’t we, Roy?”
“Sure, since you volunteered me.”
“Us. I volunteered us. ‘Sides, it’s better if we’re in here to keep an eye on Shadow.” He laid the somewhat drowsy dog on the couch. “But first I’ve gotta get somethin’.”
They all stood and watched as Johnny hurried out of the room.
“There he goes again,” Mike sighed.
Chet walked over and checked out their guest. “You know, he’s kinda cute when he’s like this. Quiet, I mean,” he quickly added to erase the shocked expressions on his shiftmates’ faces. “Guess that’s a trait he doesn’t share with Johnny.”
“What, the quiet or the cute?” Marco asked.
“Both.”
Mike walked over near Chet. “I’m not so sure the couch is a safe place for him. If he happened to fall off. . .”
“You’re right. What was Gage thinking?” Chet carefully picked the sleepy puppy up and cradled him in his arms. “You know, I think he likes me now.”
“He’s too out of it to know you from Johnny. Try it when he’s one hundred percent himself again. Then if he still acts like that, you can claim victory.”
Kelly shot Mike a glare as Johnny dashed back into the room with his arms full of a blanket and dog toys.
“Hey, what’re ya doin’ to the dog?”
“I was afraid he’d fall off the couch and break another leg while you were gone. I don’t think heights are this little guy’s best friend.”
“Oh. . . right. Thanks.” Gage put the blanket on the floor near the couch and bunched it up to make it like a cozy circle with short walls. He then placed Shadow’s teddy bear and squeaky hamburger in the middle. “Okay, let me have ‘um, Chet.”
The curly haired fireman handed the puppy over and the men watched as Johnny got him settled near the toys; his little casted leg extended out slightly. A smile spread across the dark-haired paramedic’s face when the puppy licked the bear. He squatted down and gently patted Shadow’s head. “It’s good to be back, huh, boy?”
Roy couldn’t hold back the question everyone wanted to ask. “So what’s the plan? Can you tell us yet?”
“Sure. I called my Aunt Ruth. She’s gonna take Shadow until I can get a place that allows pets.”
The senior paramedic’s eyes were once again open wide with surprise. “She’s coming all the way here from San Francisco? Is she flying down?”
“No, of course not. She doesn’t live up there anymore. She moved to Inglewood a few months ago.”
“She did?”
“Yeah. . .I even helped her get settled once the movers brought all her stuff down.”
“How come you never said anything?”
Johnny shrugged. “I don’ know; I guess it didn’t seem like a big deal.”
“It’s not. It just seems like you always tell me everything.”
“Well if I did, you'd know my aunt lives in Inglewood.”
Roy just nodded and got back to the subject at hand. “So how are you gonna get Shadow later? What if he gets attached to her and likes his new home?”
“Then I’ll just keep visiting him and taking him out on hikes once in awhile.” He shrugged. “He’ll still be in the family. That was my main concern.”
“So you’re actually not losing a puppy, but rather gaining a cousin.”
“Chet--
“I hope your aunt is insured. . .for everything,” Marco commented.
Johnny was about to make a remark in return to that when Captain Stanley walked into the room. “Well, there’s the little guy.” He stepped up beside the paramedics. “So what’s the plan? Can you tell us yet?”
Gage looked at Roy as both paramedics had a dejavu’. This time Johnny rolled his eyes. Cap needs to hang around Roy more often so I can quit havin’ to repeat these explanations. He sighed as he once again explained what he’d arranged.
~*~*~
Two weeks later it was obvious that things were going to work out well. Johnny’s Aunt Ruth was enjoying her new companion and the more frequent visits from her nephew. She always looked forward to having Johnny around.
Ready for another shift on duty, the dark-haired paramedic happily made his way into the dayroom to grab a cup of coffee prior to roll call. Roy was leaning against the counter with a cup in his hand as he talked with the engine crew. Everyone’s attention shifted to Johnny.
“So, how was Shadow’s first hike since the accident?”
“Good; he did good. I cut it kinda short; didn’t wanna overdo, ya know. But he did alright.”
“What about the hunt for a new apartment?” Mike wondered.
Johnny frowned. “Not so good. It’s hard to find somethin’ else I like in my budget, but I’ll keep lookin’.”
Chet leaned back in his chair and sighed. “You know. . .all this talk lately reminds me of a song. . .oh, and I can just about see you singin’ it during one of your hikes, Johnny.”
“A song . . ? Chet, you’re crazy.”
“Yep, I can hear ya now. . .” He grinned and winked at the others as he started to sing, “Me and my sha_aa_dow, strolling down the a_ven_nue.”
The others nodded and joined in for the next line. “Me and my sha_aa_aadow. Not another soul to tell our troubles to.”
Hank Stanley was all set to announce roll call, but when he heard the men singing, he shook his head and leaned against the squad in the apparatus bay. This time he didn’t even want an explanation.
Johnny’s shoulders slumped as the paramedic let out a sigh. Then the corners of his mouth turned upward in a slight grin. Though he was annoyed, it was a catchy tune and he already knew it was going to be stuck in his head the remainder of the shift; maybe even beyond. And everyone who had to listen to him hum it would be thanking Chet.
Yup, just me and my shaa_aadow. Gettin’ our overdue revenge. . .
The pictures of 'Shadow' are actually of our dog Luey. Between how we ended up with him, and our dog Gage having *Johnny type moments*(including being bit by a rattlesnake) in life, the two of them inspired this story. Thanks to Linda Reiche for a couple ideas inspired by her puppy Asia. Also thanks to Carol Orndorff for the beta read. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
'Me and My Shadow' lyrics by Billy Rose, music by Al Jolson and Dave Dreyer If you want to hear the music and get the rest of the words, here's the link: http://www.rienzihills.com/SING/meandmyshadow.htm
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