SOMEONE ANSWER THE PHONE

By Peggy Bedingfield

Johnny sat quietly watching the two women across the restaurant signing to each other. Their hands flashed the signs in a smooth, graceful dance, flowing from hands to body to face during the course of the conversation. Johnny flinched as a hand passed in front of eyes, breaking his concentration.

“Hey! Earth to Johnny!” Roy said with a grin.

“Huh, what? What’d you say?” Johnny asked distractedly, swatting at the waving hand.

“I asked if you were ready to go,” Roy said on a sigh. “What are you looking at that is taking all your concentration?” Roy waved at the half-eaten burger still on his partner’s tray.

Johnny looked down at his tray and flashed a crooked grin at Roy.

“Sorry, I was watching the two deaf women talking. I was trying to see how much of their conversation I could follow.”

“Since when do you know Sign Language?” Roy asked, surprised.

“Well,” Johnny began, “you remember that deaf couple whose baby we delivered and the teenager we got out of the burning apartment building?”

Roy nodded his head. “Yeah, it would have been handy to know at least the basics of sign, then we could have talked with them instead of relying on notes. But what’s that got to do with watching these two?”

“I got to thinking. It might not be a bad idea to have at least one person on each shift that could speak sign language. Dwyer on B-shift and Bruce on C-shift both know some sign language. I asked Cap if he thought the department would be willing to go half on some sign classes.”

“And?” prompted Roy.

Johnny smirked at his partner, “They not only agreed to pay half of the classes, but they paid ALL the tuition! Books and all!”

“That’s great!” Roy said. He shook his head, amazed at his partner’s willingness to go out of his way to learn a new language ‘just in case’ he ‘might’ need it.

“I just finished the second semester of the beginner’s sign course. Now I can go to advanced class next semester.” Johnny looked at his partner with a gleam in his eyes. “You know, you might take a course, too.”

Roy shook his head, “I just don’t have the time for that right now, but you can always teach me. Why didn’t you tell me you were taking a sign class? Why all the secrecy?”

Johnny looked in surprise at his partner, “There wasn’t any secret! I thought Cap had told you guys I was taking classes at the local community college.”

“He told us you were taking classes to improve your performance on the job, but not what classes you were actually taking.” Roy started gathering up the trash from their meal, “Come on, we have to get back to the station.”

Johnny glanced over to the two women who were still talking, oblivious to the conversation that had just taken place. Johnny waved at them and smiled as they passed the table. Both women smiled back and returned the wave. One of the women signed to her friend and both broke into a fit of giggles as the two paramedics left the building. Johnny blushed when he realized they were talking about him.

Roy glanced over to his now quiet partner, shaking his head in amazement. “You never seize to amaze me, Junior,” he thought to himself. “You are a diamond in the rough, Pally, and someday you’re really going to shine!”

Roy backed the squad into the bay. Johnny was out the door before the truck came to a complete halt.

“Gotta run!” he called to Roy, “Finals are tonight! See ya later!”

Chet watched as Johnny ran from the building, jumped into his Land Rover then tore from the parking lot. “What’s with him?” he asked Roy.

“He has finals tonight. And you’ll never guess what classes he’s been taking.”

Roy told the gathered men about the sign courses and why Johnny was taking them.

“All that because he had a chance encounter with some deaf people? How often is he gonna use sign language? I’d think it was a waste of time!” Chet said as he sat down at the table in the day room.

Captain Stanley walked into the room just as Chet finished his statement.

“Well, Kelly,” Hank said, “ The department doesn’t think it is a waste of time. Just remember, sometimes a chance encounter will open the door to a whole new world, and maybe even change your perspective on life in general.”

Hank poured himself a glass of juice and returned to his office. The day room remained quiet after his exit; each man lost in thought as they absorbed their Captain’s words.

Johnny pulled into his usual parking spot and turned off the ignition of the Land Rover. He sat in the vehicle, lost in thought. Now that he had completed two semesters of Sign Language, it was time to decide if he wanted to continue with the course, or stop and hope he had learned enough to be of use to the department.

A long, low rumble interrupted his thoughts. Lightening forked across the late afternoon sky, followed by a strong gust of wind and another rumble of thunder.

Johnny sighed. He opened the door and started to exit the Rover when a sudden brightness caught his eyes. A ball of light rolled slowly across the hood of his Land Rover. It bounced around and traveled in a zigzag pattern as he watched. As the ball of light drew closer, Johnny felt a fierce tingle of impending electrical discharge. Suddenly the ball of light jumped towards Johnny, as if drawn by a magnet. He tried to release the door, but his hand was glued to the Rover’s handle and window frame. The tingle changed to a searing pain as the ball of light flashed, then vanished.

Johnny blinked against the sudden spots that danced in his eyes. As his vision cleared he realized he could now release his death grip on his vehicle. He also felt the sudden buzzing and popping that was blocking his hearing. Over all the buzzing he heard a high pitched ringing that sounded like a telephone stuck on one level of sound.

Someone touched his shoulder. Johnny turned and saw the men of A-shift watching him. Their eyes were wide open in surprise.

“Did you see that?” Johnny asked his partner, Roy Desoto. “It was a ball of lightening, and it rolled across the hood of my Rover!”

Roy stepped in front of his partner, “Let me see your hands.”

“What? Why are you mumbling?” Johnny looked at Roy; perturbed because no one else seemed to appreciate the light show he had just witnessed.

Captain Stanley caught the expression that crossed Roy’s face. “Roy?” he asked.

“I ….. don’t know,” he answered. “It could just be the after affect of the electrical shock from the lightening.”

“What electrical shock?” Johnny asked. The buzzing in his ears had finally begun to fade and he caught the last part of Roy's statement.

“Let me see your hands,” Roy said again, ignoring the look his partner was giving him.

Johnny glanced at his hands. His eyes widened in shock when he saw the two angry red streaks that crossed his palms. He flexed his fingers and felt the pull of swollen skin that was beginning to blister.

“What do you think, Roy?” Captain Stanley asked.

“I think we had better get him to the hospital and let one of the doctors take a look at his hands.” Roy glanced up at Johnny when he yanked his hands away. He saw the singed hair along his friend’s neck and arms.

“You know, you could talk directly to me! I’m not deaf, or invisible!” Johnny said, irritated at being treated like a child.

“Sorry, Junior. Let’s get to the hospital and have your hands checked,” Roy soothed his friend’s feelings. “It isn’t every day that someone encounters lightening up close and personal and remains standing.”

Johnny flexed his fingers once again. They were starting to hurt, so he agreed and headed for the squad.

Dr. Early examined Johnny’s hands, turning them over and over again, then having him flex his fingers. He harrumphed a few times then went over to the drug cabinet and pulled a tube of cream from the shelves.

“Those blisters will be somewhat painful by tomorrow. Keep this cream on your hands, and try to keep them dry. You should be fine in a couple of days. You’re lucky all you received was superficial burns.” Dr. Early smiled in his enigmatic way.

“”What happened to my hearing?” Johnny asked, disturbed by the fact he had been unable to hear for a few minutes after the ball had vanished.

“It was an after affect of the electrical charge. You’ll probably have some form of tinnitus for a while, but it should fade in about a week. If not, let me know and I’ll set you up with an audiologist,” Dr. Early told him. He noticed Johnny’s distracted look. “Johnny?”

“Huh? Umm……what?” Johnny noticed those in the room looking at him. He tugged on his ear lobe. The ringing in his ears had started back up, but was rapidly fading. “Ummm……..am I clear to finish out the shift?” he asked.

“I think so. Just be extra careful of your hands,” Early told him. “You really are lucky, Johnny. I don’t know of another person who has had the experience you did, and come out still standing.”

“That’s what I told him,” Roy said.

Once back at the station Charlie Dwyer left and the A-shift settled down for the night.

The next morning Roy and Johnny looked over the Land Rover. A couple of places near the wheel well showed signs of blistering.

“That’s probably where the charge entered the body,” Roy said, pointing out the peeling paint.

“Look at this,” Johnny said. Along the window frame and door handle, paint was also peeling. A faint outline of Johnny’s hand could be seen.

Roy whistled long and low, “You were lucky, Junior!”

“What’s going to be real fun is driving home with these blisters!” Johnny flexed his fingers feeling fluid run across his palms.

“Why don’t I drive you home? You can come back later for the Rover.” Roy offered.

“Nah, I’ll manage,” Johnny grinned at his friend. “My hands don’t really hurt that much, and besides, I’ll cover the blisters with gauze.”

“Well, if you need anything…..” Roy started to say.

“I’ll call you,” Johnny finished.

Two days later Roy entered the locker room of the station and saw his friend sitting in his locker. He was staring into space, occasionally reaching up to tug on his ear.

“Morning, Junior,” Roy said, waving his hand in front of Johnny’s eyes.

“What? Oh, morning. How was your days off?” Johnny jumped up and finished dressing.

“Fine. Joanne had some chores for me to do, then we took the kids to the beach.” Roy turned, surprised, as Johnny left the room as he was talking. “Johnny?” A worried frown crossed his face.

A loud pop from the day room made Roy hurry with his uniform. He walked into the room and saw Chet standing with a broken balloon in his hand. The surprised look on his face was a comic relief.

“What’s with him?” Chet asked the blond haired paramedic. “I popped this thing right behind him and he didn't even flinch.”

“Maybe it’s because I saw your reflection in the glass and knew you were going to do something dumb, like pop the balloon, when I walked into the room,” Johnny smirked. In actuality, the sudden onset of the high pitched ring had muffled the sound of the balloon breaking.

“So,” Johnny said to his partner as he handed him a cup of coffee, “Did you enjoy your day at the beach?”

“Yeah, the kids had a blast, and Joanne and I got some really good pictures of them.”

“That’s great……..” the klaxons interrupted their conversation.

** STATION 51, DUMPSTER FIRE. ALLEY WAY BETWEEN INDUSTRIAL AND CLOVER -TIME OUT- 8:10 **

“How’re your ears today?” Roy asked once the engine had departed.

“Fine, just a little buzzing and popping. Not like yesterday and Wednesday. Man, I thought it was going to drive me nuts!” Johnny laughed. He unconsciously reached up and tugged on his ear.

Roy saw the gesture, but kept his comment to himself. He would ask one of the doctors at the hospital about Johnny’s ear pulling. The klaxons sounded again.

**SQUAD 51 – CODE I AT ENGINE 51’S LOCATION – ALLEY WAY BETWEEN INDUSTRAIL AND CLOVER – TIME OUT – 8:55 **

“Code I?” Johnny asked. “At a trash fire?”

Roy parked the squad as close to the engine as possible. Both men jumped out and grabbed the equipment they thought would be needed. Captain Stanley trotted up and grabbed the oxygen bottle.

“What happened, Cap?” Johnny asked.

“Someone put fire crackers in the dumpster. When Chet opened the top some of them exploded and caught Marco in the face!” Captain Stanley explained, anger evident in his voice.

Roy and Johnny knelt beside their injured shift-mate. Chet was practically sitting on his fallen friend trying to keep him from rolling around and getting hurt on the glass shards that littered the ground.

“I think a bottle exploded in his face,” Chet told the two paramedics. He nearly went flying when Marco tried to sit up and shove Kelley away.

“Marco, lay still!” Roy ordered the young fireman.

Marco let out a stream of Spanish. He had his hands firmly clasped over his face. When Roy tried to pry his hands away, Marco let out with another stream of Spanish.

“Man, I’m glad I don’t understand Spanish right now!” Chet said as he and Roy struggled with Marco.

“Marco, come on man! We’ve got to see your eyes!” Johnny called to his friend.

Marco stopped struggling and slowly took his hands from his face. He had his eyes screwed tightly shut. He muttered some more in Spanish, then lay quietly as Johnny began his examination. When Johnny tried to open his eyes he swatted at the hand holding his head still.

“It hurts!” Marco ground out.

“Just take it easy, Marco. I’ve got to check your eyes. It’ll only take a second,” Johnny soothed.

Roy handed Johnny a bottle of saline solution. He poured the liquid over Marco’s forehead and eyes. Chet gently dabbed the liquid away as the solution dribbled down the side of his friend’s face.

“Keep your eyes closed,” Roy instructed.

“Not a problem,” Marco said. He kept trying to reach up and place his hands over his eyes. Mike Stoker would push them back to the ground.

Marco heard Johnny contacting the hospital. He could not make out what the doctor said. He felt someone place cool pads over his eyes, then wrap them securely in place. A sharp sting in his arm alerted him to the IV that was being started.

“Hang tight, Marco,” Johnny said. “I’m giving you something right now to ease the pain.”

Marco felt the drug take affect and relaxed. Within minutes he was feeling no pain and began to sing in Spanish. The men around him grinned at the now relaxed man. He was quickly loaded into the waiting ambulance and whisked away to Rampart General Hospital.

“How bad do you think it is?” Captain Stanley asked Roy.

“I can’t say, Cap. It depends on a lot of factors. Did the glass get in his eyes, or maybe just some of the powder? How close he was to the flash, but it doesn’t look too bad. His pupils were reactive, so maybe he’ll be fine.” Roy finished gathering up the equipment and jumped into the squad.

“We’ll be waiting for news, pal,” Stanley told him. He slapped the squad for emphasis. Roy nodded and pulled away. The remaining crewmembers cleared the alleyway and returned to the station.

“Man, I wish I could get my hands on the punks who did this!” Chet exclaimed. Although unvoiced, Captain Stanley and Mike Stoker agreed.

Once the engine had left, two teenage boys crawled from their hiding place in the bushes.

\\ Think you that fireman bad hurt?// asked the tallest of the two.

\\ Hope not! // The shorter one answered.

\\ Thought said you hearing people know those things makeloud noise! // signed the tall one.

The shorter boy shrugged \\ What was told I! //

The two deaf boys stood looking at the dumpster.

\\ Go now before cought! //

The two boys ran from the alleyway. One final explosion sounded from the dripping container.

Dr. Brackett entered the treatment room where the injured fireman lay. He had not seen this particular man very many times, but he remembered a laughing face with twinkling eyes. He looked at the chart he held in his hands. Snapping it shut he approached the table and began to unwind the bandages covering the man’s eyes.

“I’m Dr. Brackett,” he introduced himself as he worked. “I’m going to have to check your eyes, so it may hurt a little. You will need to lay very still, and try not to blink any more than usual.”

“Sure thing, doc,” the still woozy man said.

Brackett smiled at his jovial reply. Once the bandages were removed he took his penlight and flashed it into Marco’s eyes. He was glad to see both pupils reacting normally.

Dixie walked in and approached the bed. “How are you doing, Marco?” she asked.

He rolled his head towards the friendly voice and answered, “I’m feeling nooooo pain!” He grinned and chuckled.

Dixie grinned at his happy answer, then looked at Dr. Brackett. He was shaking his head in amusement.

“The shot is still in full affect,” he said.

“Well, he’s usually a happy person, anyway, so I guess he’s just being normal,” Dixie said.

“We’ll keep him overnight for observation.” Dr. Brackett grinned as Marco began singing another song. “If he’s this happy with a pain killer, I’d like to meet him when he’s sober!”

“Too bad all our patients aren’t this happy,” she told him. “Roy and Johnny are waiting outside. They are wanting some news to tell the guys at the station.”

Brackett spoke to the young student nurse who was observing, “Nurse, keep an eye on our happy patient.” He and Dixie left the room, both trying not to laugh at the injured man. They saw the two paramedics standing by the desk. As they approached Johnny stood up and faced the doctor.

“What’s the verdict, doc?” he asked.

“My cursory examination shows no major damage to his eyes. His pupils are equal and reactive. We’ll keep him overnight for observation. I think he’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

“Thanks, Doc,” Roy said. He grabbed up the box of supplies they needed and motioned for Johnny to grab the HT. “Come on, Junior. I know of at least one hose jockey waiting for news.”

Roy backed the squad into the bay. Before either paramedic could leave the truck the other men were waiting, leaning against the wall, for news of their injured shift-mate.

“How is he? Is he gonna be blind?” Chet asked, not waiting for his captain to ask.

“Dr. Brackett said it looks good. Marco will have some sore eyes for a while, but he didn’t see anything that might be permanent.” Roy slid from the truck and pushed past the worried man. Chet and Marco, he knew, were best friends as well as partners.

“He was singing ditties in Spanish when we left,” Johnny said, grinning, “and he’ll have to re-grow his mustache!”

“Did the doctor say how long he’d be out of commission?” Stanley asked.

“Not really,” Roy said, heading for the day room. “He said a few days. He’ll be in the hospital tonight. He should be released tomorrow.”

“That’s good. Well, guess I’d better make sure we have a replacement for him until further notice.” Captain Stanley headed for his office, but a sudden, loud moan caused him to stop short and whirl around. He saw Chet sitting at the table holding his head in his hands. “What’s the problem, pal?” he asked.

“Who’s gonna fix lunch? It was Marco’s turn to cook!” Chet gave his best pathetic look.

“You twit!” Hank said and left the room.

“Don’t worry, Chet. I’ll fix lunch,” Mike Stoker said from where he was sitting on the couch. Henry, the station’s mascot, had his head in Mike’s lap. Mike reached down and scratched the Basset’s ear. Henry decided that was enough invitation to crawl completely into Mike’s lap. A soft “oof!” was heard as Henry collapsed.

The day room was quiet. All eyes were on Chet.

“What?” he asked. “So I’m hungry!”

Johnny snorted, “It’s barely eleven o’clock!” Suddenly a rumbling sound was heard. Johnny’s face reddened as his stomach growled.

“I rest my case, gentlemen,” Chet said, and left the room.

Johnny tugged on his ear. The shrill ringing had wakened him from a sound sleep. He sighed and sat up. Until the sound completely faded away he would be unable to return to sleep. He saw his partner looking at him.

“You okay?” Roy asked.

“Yeah,” Johnny whispered. “Just can’t seem to sleep. I’m going for some milk, want some?”

“No, thanks,” he answered. Roy turned over and pulled the covers up to his shoulders. He lay still, pretending to sleep. Once he heard Johnny walk past, he rolled to his back and stared at the ceiling. He had seen Johnny pulling on his ear again. The day had been busy enough that he had forgotten to speak with one of the doctors about Johnny constantly pulling on his ear. Twice during the day he had had to repeat himself before Johnny responded. Once he had caught his partner staring into space with a harried look on his face. Each time he had seen Johnny tugging on his ear.

Once back at the station he had asked Johnny what was wrong. Johnny had given him a funny look and denied that anything was ‘wrong’ and had walked away.

The next morning, as the men were leaving, Roy stopped at his car and asked, “Hey, Junior, want to come over for breakfast? Joann is making pancakes.”

“Sure!” Johnny agreed, his face lighting up with pleasure. He enjoyed as many home cooked meals as possible, since he was single and did little cooking himself.

“Okay, meet you at the house,” Roy said and pulled out of the parking lot.

Two shifts later Marco strolled into the day room. The two paramedics from C-shift were sitting at the table eating doughnuts and reading the morning paper.

“Hey, Marco, the man! Welcome back!” “Good to see you, friend!” they both said.

“Thanks, guys! It’s good to be back!” He laughed and headed for the locker room to put on his uniform.

Chet was closing his locker when Marco entered the room. “Hey, buddy! Welcome back! Sure missed having you back me up on the hoses!”

“Thanks, Chet. You know, missing one shift isn’t so bad, but two! I thought my sisters were gonna drive me bonko!” Marco opened his locker and pulled out his uniform shirt. He was almost dressed when Roy, Johnny and Mike walked in.

“Hey! Welcome back!” “About time you showed up!” “Hey, Marco, how’re the eyes?”

“Thanks, guys. The eyes are fine, Roy. Doc said no permanent damage was done. Man, was I scared there for a while!” Marco told his shift mates.

“Yeah, well, so were we,” Johnny told him.

Captain Stanley poked his head into the room, “Welcome back, Pal! Roll call in five!”

Marco chuckled, “Awww, it’s good to be back.”

The day started out quietly. The men were able to complete their chores and have lunch with no interruptions. The station was quiet as each man decided to finish, or start, a project that had been waiting.

Johnny had his head stuck in his locker. Roy could hear him muttering to himself. Every few minutes an item would fly over his partner’s shoulder and land on the small pile of miscellaneous articles lying on the floor.

“Hey!” Roy called to his still muttering friend. When he received no reply he gently kicked Johnny’s foot to get his attention. “Hey in there!”

“Yeah?” Johnny answered, his voice muffled by the clothes hanging in the locker.

“How’s that ringing in your ears?” Roy asked.

Johnny rocked back on his heals. “What ringing?” he asked.

Roy rolled his eyes. “The ringing that kept you awake the past two shifts,” he patiently explained.

“Oh, that,” Johnny said as he tossed another sock from his locker, “ I haven’t had any problems in a couple of days.” Johnny paused in his rummaging, “Why?”

“Just thought I’d ask.” Roy looked at the growing pile. “Why don’t you clean your locker more often?”

“Huh!” was the only answer he received.

“Johnny!” Captain Stanley called from the truck bay. “I need you and Roy out here!”

Johnny and Roy exchanged worried looks, then joined their captain at the front door of the station.

“Yeah, Cap?” Johnny asked.

A young boy and girl stood in the doorway. The little girl held tightly to the boy’s hand. They stared at the firemen.

“I think you better try and talk with them. The boy was waving his hand around and pointing. I think they must be deaf,” Captain Stanley said.

Johnny knelt in front of the two children. \\ Deaf you? // he signed. He also spoke out loud for the benefit of his crewmen. The boy nodded and flashed several signs at Johnny.

\\ Not understand// Johnny told him.

The boy freed his hand and signed again. He signed quickly. Johnny was just barely able to follow what he was saying. Understanding popped into his head. “Oh!”

“The mother is in the car outside. She’s having a baby and needs help!” Johnny told the waiting men.

I’ll get the equipment,” Roy said. “You go check on the mother.”

“Right,” Johnny answered. He knelt in front of the children and signed \\ Stay here with these men. We take good care you mother//

The two children stepped over to Captain Stanley’s side. The little girl slid her hand into his and looked up at him. She smiled at the tall man and signed something. Captain Stanley smiled, not at all sure what she had just said.

“Uh, Johnny?” Stanley said uncertainly.

“I told them to stay with you. We’d take good care of their mother.” Johnny trotted out the door and over to the brown station wagon parked by the curb.

Johnny opened the passenger door and crawled into the car. He reached over and patted the panting woman’s arm. \\ Deaf you? // he asked.

“No. I’m hearing,” she panted answer her. She gasped as a pain hit her. “Oh! The pains are getting closer!”

“How far along are you?” Johnny asked. Roy ran up to the car. He gave Johnny the B/P cuff and opened the bio-phone to contact the hospital.

“I’m about a week over due!” she answered and groaned again as another pain washed across her.

“You’re going to be okay. We’re going to help you.” Johnny looked at his partner, “B/P is 130 over 84, respiration’s 30 and rapid. Pulse is 70.”

“The ambulance is on the way. Think there’s enough time to get her to the hospital?” Roy asked.

Suddenly the woman screamed. “The baby’s coming now!”

“Nope, don’t think so,” Johnny answered and helped the laboring woman to lay on the seat.

Okay, Junior. Let’s bring in the new life.”

In the distance the lonely wail of the siren could be heard. Johnny and Roy paid it little heed as the baby made its announcement to the world.

“It’s a girl!” Johnny told the exhausted mother.

“10-4, Rampart. The ambulance has arrived. ETA about three minutes.” Roy grinned at his partner’s shining eyes. “Good job, Junior!” he told him.

They loaded the new mother and her other two children into the ambulance. The boy kept trying to see into the bundle Johnny was holding. Johnny laid the baby in the mother’s arms and signed to the two children

\\ You have new baby sister//

\\ Why so ugly? // the boy asked.

Johnny grinned, \\ She no be ugly long//

The boy nodded and sat quietly on the bench beside his mother. The little girl climbed into Johnny’s lap. She looked at him for a moment then signed \\ You deaf?//

\\ No. I learn you language so could talk you// Johnny explained.

\\ Name me Sally. You?// she asked.

\\ Johnny Gage// he answered her.

She curled up on his lap and laid her head on his shoulder. She stuck her thumb in her mouth and closed her eyes. Her mother smiled at the picture her daughter and the young paramedic made.

“She doesn’t normally take to strangers,” she said.

Johnny looked down at Sally. He gently ruffled her curly hair. “I like kids. Maybe she knows that,” he said.

The ambulance slowed and turned. Minutes later they had stopped and the doors were thrown open. A man was standing to the side as they unloaded the woman and baby. The boy jumped down from the ambulance and ran up to him. He signedquickly, then turned and pointed to Johnny.

The man approached him and signed \\ Thank you for help my wife//

\\ Just do my job// Johnny answered. He grinned and offered the sleeping child to the father.

Sally stirred as she was shifted from one man to the other. She patted her father on his chest, signed something and went back to sleep. He smiled and kissed his daughter on the top of her head.

Johnny waited for his partner at the nurses’ desk. He held a cup of coffee in his hand. He offered Roy another cup as his partner walked up.

“How’s momma and baby?” he asked.

“Doing fine!” Johnny answered, the grin still on his face. “You know, I never thought I’d use the sign language. I thought, maybe I was wasting my time. But, so far today, I think I’m glad I learned!”

“So am I, partner. So am I,” Roy said. He placed his cup on the counter behind the desk. “Ready to go, daddy?”

“Huh, wait, I’m not through with my coffee!” Johnny took a large gulp and winced as the hot beverage burned its way down his throat. He ran to catch up with his partner. He saw the nurse he was currently dating and stopped long enough to say, “I delivered a baby girl!” The nurse smiled and congratulated him.

“Come on, Junior!” Roy called.

Johnny frowned in Roy’s direction. He grinned once more at the nurse then turned to leave the hospital. He ran full tilt into the wall.

“Yow!” he cried as he rubbed his head. He waved off the proffered help and joined Roy in the squad.

“You okay?” Roy asked, trying not to smile.

“Yeah, just dandy!” Johnny groused.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You hit that wall pretty hard!” Roy asked for the third time since leaving Rampart. He had seen Johnny pulling at his ear again. His radar was up and working.

“Yes! How many times do I have to tell you!” Johnny said as he slid from the squad.

“I just worry you may have rattled your brain a little more,” Roy teased.

Chet walked out to the bay area, “Johnny has a brain to rattle?”

“Oh, ha, ha, Chet. Why don’t you go find the little pea brain you lost a long time ago?” Johnny stalked into the day room. The klaxons sounded, cutting short the argument.

**STATION 51—Structure fire—5881 Carson and Vine, 5-8-8-1 Carson and Vine. Time out 12:42**

“Station 51, KMG 365,” Stanley acknowledged.

“That’s the new apartment complex just down the road, isn’t it?” Roy asked.

“Yeah, I think so,” Johnny answered.

Once on scene Captain Stanley quickly assessed the situation. “LA Station 51, We have an apartment complex that is fully involved. Send a second alarm!” Captain Stanley began issuing orders to his men. “Marco, Chet, get an inch and a half on the North side! Roy, Johnny take another inch and a half to the East side!”

A man ran up and grabbed Captain Stanley’s arm. He frantically waved towards the building. Strange noises came from his mouth. Captain Stanley stared at him then called, “Johnny!”

Johnny looked towards his captain. He saw a man standing next to him. He alerted Roy to the possibility of victims. He trotted up to the captain, who waved him over to the man. “He’s deaf! Talk to him!”

Johnny was surprised. In all the years he had been working as a fireman/paramedic he had never encountered so many deaf people in one day. He motioned to the man and signed \\ Sir, what problem? //

\\ My wife son inside! Apartment 3G! Help please! //

“Cap! We have two victims inside! They’re on the third floor!” Johnny called to his superior.

“Okay! You and Roy get in and out! Understand?” he answered.

“Roy!” Johnny called as he began pulling equipment from the squad. “We have two people still inside! A woman and a boy! The husband said they’re on the third floor, apartment 3G!”

The man had followed Johnny and began pulling on him. He kept signing frantically. Johnny signed \\ We go find wife and son. You wait here! //

“Chet, Marco! Cover Johnny and Roy!” Stanley called to the two men spraying water on the building. Sirens blared closer as other engine companies began to arrive. Captain Stanley issued orders to the arriving teams, while at the same time watching as his two paramedics entered the burning structure. He felt his guts tighten as they did anytime he sent his men into a dangerous situation.

Roy followed Johnny up the stairs. They almost crawled to the apartment where the two victims were supposed to be. Johnny kicked open the door and motioned his partner to go left as he went to the right.

“Roy!” Johnny called, “I found them! They’re in the bedroom!”

Roy quickly joined his partner and helped the woman to her feet. In her arms was a little boy of about six who was crying and coughing. Roy took the woman by the arm and began leading her from the room. They had just made it into the hallway when a loud crash was heard from behind them.

“Johnny!” Roy called, frantic. The woman coughed. Roy turned to lead her and the child she carried to safety. He did not like leaving his partner behind, but his first priority was the victims.

Brice and Bellingham ran up as Roy and the woman left the building. Roy handed her over to Bellingham then said to Brice, “Johnny’s still in there! I think the ceiling collapsed on him! I’ve got to go back!”

“Roy, no!” Brice said, grabbing him. “Look!” Johnny staggered from the building.

Roy and Brice ran to help the paramedic to the squad where they removed his SCBA gear and coat.

“I’m fine! I’m fine!” Johnny protested as Brice placed an oxygen mask over his face.

“Let us check you out!” Roy said, firmly. “What happened?”

“I saw you and the woman make it to the hall. I heard the ceiling crack and jumped back. I was in the doorway of the bedroom when the whole thing fell in!” Johnny explained. He did not tell Roy that he had been distracted when his ears went to ringing.

“You have a nasty cut on your neck. Sit still and let me look at it,” Brice told him.

“How’s the mother and child?” Johnny asked.

“They’re fine. A little smoke inhalation, no burns.” Roy placed the B/P cuff on Johnny’s arm.

“Roy, I said I’m fine!” Johnny protested, then grimaced as his ear went to ringing again.

Roy saw the look and asked, “What’s wrong? Where do you hurt?”

“My neck! That stuff stings!” he said to Brice, who had dabbed some ointment on the cut.

“LA, Station 51, this fire is under control, cancel other units” Captain Stanley said as he walked up to the seated paramedics. “You okay, pal?” he asked Johnny.

“Yeah, Cap. Just a little cut,” Johnny told his superior.

“Does he need to go in, Roy?” he asked the senior paramedic.

“No!” “Yes,” Roy over-road Johnny’s protest.

“What for? It’s just a little cut!” Johnny complained.

“It’s in a bad spot. It may need stitches.” Roy calmly tucked the drug box and bio-phone under his arm. “You don’t have to ride in the ambulance, if that’ll make you feel any better.”

“But…Cap!….I don’t…” Johnny stuttered.

Captain Stanley looked down at the ground until he could get his facial expression under control. He knew Johnny’s dislike of the hospital, especially if it meant he was on the receiving end. He reached out and thumped Johnny’s booted foot, “No argument. Just go.”

“Yes, sir,” Johnny capitulated.

Dr. Morton checked the ugly red cut on Johnny’s neck. He tut-tutted and harrumphed, mainly because he knew it would bug the paramedic. Finally he backed away and said, “Uh huh. I don’t think you’ll need any stitches. Just try to keep it clean and dry for a few days. I doubt you’ll even have a scar.”

“Great! Let’s go!” Johnny said, hopping down from the table.

“You could at least say thank you!” Morton said.

“Thanks, doc!” he said as he left the room.

Morton rolled his eyes. He looked at Roy and grinned. “You must have the patience of a saint!”

“Not really,” Roy told him. “He just eventually grows on you.”

Morton gave a hearty laugh. He reached out and gave Roy a friendly slap on the back then strolled down the hall to the next room.

Roy joined Johnny and Dixie at the nurse’s desk. He grinned as Johnny waved his hands around, explaining his latest adventure. He looked up as Roy joined them and grinned.

“I was just filling Dixie in on how it feels to have a ceiling collapse on top of you!” Johnny explained.

“Well, this time it missed you. Dix, is Dr. Brackett or Dr. Early free for a minute? I have something I want to ask them.”

“I think Dr. Brackett is…..” the tones sounded over the HT, interrupting the head nurse.

“Squad 51, what is your status?”

“Squad 51, available,” Roy answered. “Later, Dixie!”

Both men headed for the squad as the tones rolled from the HT.

** STATION 51—STATION 36—STATION 110—TRUCK 24—SQUAD 9 IN PLACE OF SQUAD 24—INDUSTRIAL EXPLOSION—BRENT/MYERSON CHEMICAL PLANT. 5500 INDUSTRIAL BOULEVARD—TIME OUT 19:50**

“Squad 51, 10-4” Johnny acknowledged.