A Tough Decision

“A Tough Decision”

While driving from Rampart General Hospital to Station 51, Roy DeSoto was thinking about something that was obviously bothering him. His partner, John Gage, was seated beside the senior paramedic, trying to think of something helpful to say to his best friend. As the dark-haired man looked at his partner, he could see white knuckles on the steering wheel.

Roy never holds the wheel that tightly. There must be something really big bothering him.

“Roy, ya’ want to talk about it?”

“No, Johnny, I do not want to talk about it. How did you know something was bothering me?”

“Pally, I know you, and I’ll bet it’s somethin’ about Joanne. Have you two been fighting?”

“No, we’re not fighting. We could be, but I haven’t said anything about her plans…not yet anyway.”

“Now, Roy, you know that I know women and how they think…”

“So you’ve told me…many times.”

“Really, Roy, if ya’ have a problem with Joanne I can help. Why don’t ya’ tell ole Johnny what’s goin’ on?”

“Okay, I’ll tell ya’, but only because you’ll bug me all day if I don’t. Joanne has her heart set on having a barbeque on Memorial Day weekend for all the guys at the station and their dates.”

“Man, ya’ gotta’ give Joanne credit…that’s gonna’ be fun!”

“Oh, it would be a blast, except for the fact that I have plans of my own for us. I’ve even arranged to take a couple of days off, just to do this for us. See, Johnny, I’ve planned a romantic get away for us Saturday through Tuesday. I’ve rented a cabin up in the mountains, and I even got up the nerve to ask her mother to take care of the kids. Man, I’ve been workin’ on this for weeks.”

“Oh, Ummm, you never told me that you were takin’ time off.”

“Great, Johnny, I give you my dilemma, and all you’re worried about is whether or not you knew that I was plannin’ to take some time off.”

“Well, a person needs to know these things. I mean, I might get stuck with Brice or somethin’. Ya’ just never know.”

Roy backed the squad into the apparatus bay, and Johnny exited as Captain Stanley came toward the squad. While Roy was still in the vehicle, Hank commented to him that Joanne had already called Beverly, and that they were really looking forward to the cook-out.

“Um, Cap, can we talk? I need another married man’s opinion.”

Johnny dropped his head as if he was hurt that Roy would turn to someone other than him. John Gage genuinely believed that he knew all there was to know about women. Maybe it was the Brice comment. Oh well, who knows, maybe Cap can give him some advice, and Roy will be himself again. I want my partner back.

As Johnny entered the kitchen he saw Chet and Marco preparing lunch.

“How’s The Phantom’s favorite pigeon?”

“Chet, drop it. I’m really not in the mood today.”

“What’s wrong…who dumped you this time?”

“Roy.”

With that, Chester B. refrained from any further comment, thinking this must be a really bad situation to have the young paramedic in such a down mood.

Roy sighed and began to explain his dilemma.

“Cap, I really have a problem going on, and I don’t know how to solve it.”

“Well, if you want to share, I’ll see what I can do.”

“Okay, do you remember that I asked for a few days off? Well, I have worked for weeks planning a romantic get away for me and Joanne. I have a cabin in the mountains rented and everything is perfectly in place for the weekend of a lifetime. I mean, I actually asked Jo’s mother to take care of the kids.”

“Ah, ha, then Joanne makes plans for the cook-out for the all the guys and their spouses or girlfriends, so you’re torn. Roy, you do have a problem, but there’s always a solution.”

“I know, but see, Memorial Day has always been a busy holiday for us. Since I was in the Army, Joanne has even had all the guys that I’m still in touch with over for dinner several times. Sometimes she’s had family over, sometimes the guys here, and she always goes all out with the decorations. Lots of flags waving in the breeze, and I appreciate that. I just wanted to give her a special memorial day for once. Is that such a bad thing?”

“No, no, Roy, but you know how women are when they work to make plans, and this seems like somewhat of a routine for Joanne. Hey, pal; it could be her way of honoring you and your sacrifices for our country. Now, my best advice would be for us to take a look at the calendar, and for you to get on the phone and rearrange your plans. That way you could surprise Joanne with a romantic weekend, and it wouldn’t interfere with anything she has planned. See, everyone would be happy, right?” Hank was rubbing his chin with his right hand, hoping that he had solved the problem that was bothering his paramedic and friend.

“Well, I can’t say that I’d be happy. I’ll have to call her mother again, and that’s never a pretty thing.” Roy had an expression of disgust just thinking about that call.

“Pal, just think of the benefits when you get your wife all to yourself in that cabin.” Hank looked at the fair-haired man with a wink, and Roy’s disgust quickly turned into a smile.

“Okay, Cap, thanks for everything. Now, let’s look at that calendar, and then I can make some calls to rearrange my plans. Oh, by the way, you aren’t looking forward to this for the food like Johnny, are ya?”

“Actually, I am, but that isn’t the only thing I have in mind. I’m also thinking of both you and Joanne.”

“Well, if you say so, and I really do appreciate your help and understanding.”

Roy exited the office much happier than he had when he entered it.

Johnny had been waiting anxiously in the dayroom for Roy to come in and approached his partner as soon as he did.

“Roy, I was probably outta’ line with the Brice comment.”

“Johnny, don’t worry about it. Cap helped me work out everything, and we’ll have the barbeque. Then in about a month, Joanne and I can have our romantic get away.”

“Roy, why didn’t ya’ ever listen to me? I mean, hey, I know women, and I could’ve helped ya’ out with this one.”

“John, sometimes you need to understand that married men have to talk to other married men in order to solve a problem that involves a wife. You just don’t have that experience even though you think you know all about women. See, partner, it’s just different when you’re married. Someday you’ll understand all about it.”

“Not me, partner…no way will I ever get married.”

Smiling, the senior paramedic told the younger man, “We’ll see, but I’ll bet that someday you’ll find the perfect woman for you, and you’ll understand everything that I’m tellin’ ya’.”

Memorial Day weekend came and Joanne was in her prime as she pulled off yet another perfect day for the guys of A-Shift. Everyone had a good time and everyone even had a date, so there would be no teasing when they returned to work. The food was great, and the guys played games while the women talked about life, crafts, clothes, shopping and anything else that came to mind.

Joanne was so happy with the outcome, and as she glanced at her husband, she noticed that he looked happier than usual. She loved to honor her hubby for his service to our great country! This was the only way she knew to do it, and every year she insisted that all the guests gather around the flag, to say the Pledge of Allegiance. She also wanted to instill in their children respect for what their dad and other veterans did for everyone. In her eyes, her Roy was a hero every day, but she especially remembered their time apart while he was in Viet Nam. Looking into Roy’s eyes, she could feel his love for her, and his appreciation. She beamed with a smile for her husband.

Little did she know that Roy was not only appreciating all that she did to make the day special, but that he was anticipating a weekend alone with his wife that was well overdue. If he could only wait the month that was necessary without telling the love of his life about his surprise for her. It would not be easy, but the paramedic was sure he could handle the task.

The End

I do not own any of the characters of this story, but thanks to Universal for creating them along with Jack Webb, and for finally having the first season of E! on DVD this year! I do have fun exploring life with the guys! This story is dedicated to all the military folks who gave so much for all of us by their sacrifices, and to all their families. Also, thanks to Audrey for the beta.