Cousin Johnny
By Dana Waddell
On a warm, overcast afternoon in Los Angeles, Engine 51 responded to a warehouse fire. Because it was a vacant building, paramedics John Gage and Roy DeSoto were able to stay behind and have lunch. Unfortunately, the familiar klaxon tones disrupted their solitude.
"Aw great," John moaned after taking one bite of his ham sandwich, "Can't a guy get a break around here?"
The dispatcher's voice echoed through the station, "Squad 51…child injured…1411 West 220th, One Four One One West 220th, cross street Vernon…time out 14:47."
"Let's go Junior," said Roy as they hastily left the dining area. Roy acknowledged the dispatcher while writing down the address, "Squad 51, KMG 365." He and John hopped in the truck and drove off.
As the sirens wailed, an unusual feeling dawned on John, "Roy, that sounds familiar…1411 West 220."
Roy answered while steadily driving the vehicle, "Does it?"
"Yeah, it's about a half mile away. I know where it is," John stated while adjusting his helmet.
"Maybe we had a run there before," Roy conceded.
At the back of John's mind, he fumbled with the address over and over. 1411 West 220th, one four one one. Maybe he dated a girl who lived there. An old friend? Someone I know? Beyond an overpass, rows of four-story apartment buildings appeared. The scenery of dry grass and bending palm tress along the street was slowly coming back to him. Within view, an elderly man waved down the squad, "Hey! Hey! Over here!"
The vehicle halted, and the two paramedics rushed out, grabbing the necessary equipment and medical gear. "We got a call about an injured child," Roy said as he approached.
"In apartment 2 towards the back. The girl and her mother are in there. I think the kid cut her hand."
"Thanks," John replied as the two paramedics made their way inside.
John looked about the dilapidated entrance, realizing that this wasn't the nicest place on the block. The cracks along the cheaply painted hallway awoke his past. Roy and John then heard bawling from the apartment's open door, "Mommy!"
A woman's frantic voice cried, "Where are they? I called ages ago!"
Roy and John immediately stopped at the threshold. Their eyes fell on a little girl sitting on a metal folding chair in the living room. There were droplets of blood on her T-shirt, red spots on the light blue carpet, and broken glass on the floor by a shattered window. This indicated a perplexing situation. A young woman crouched down by the child, tightly holding her wrapped forearm. "Thank God! What took you so long?"
"Ma'am, we got here as fast as we could, are you her mother?" Roy asked he and John came closer to the frightened child.
John briefly visualized the well-kept apartment. The apartment's decor eerily crept back and forth. There's something about it... I know this place!
"Yes, I'm Judy Ward, and this is my daughter Christina. She just put her hand through the window and the bleeding won't stop."
Judy Ward? This couldn't be the same one! John blinked his eyes, almost forgetting where he was. Realizing the severity of the child's cut, Roy immediately opened the first aid kit.
"Please step aside while we take a look," John said as he knelt down closest to Christina. He began a routine check for pulse and blood pressure, "Hi honey, we're here to take good care of you, okay?"
"Okay," she responded, sniffling her runny nose. Her reddened eyes and dried tears illustrated an anguishing ordeal. John looked about her soft, tanned face with brown eyes, puffy cheeks, and wavy brown hair. Ironically, she had a striking resemblance to her mother.
As John searched Judy's face, his eyes danced all over her deep-set brown eyes, high cheekbones, and shoulder-length wavy brown hair. This can't be! John snapped himself back to the situation, "Ma'am, when did this happen?"
Judy crossed her arms, "About twenty minutes ago. I was washing clothes in the laundry room, and Christina was here playing with her dolls. I heard a crash and she started screaming! She was trying to open that window!" Judy pointed over to the damaged French window as she continued, "It's the type of window you have to push out with a handle, not pull up."
John drifted for a second within his thoughts. Judy, is it really you? Gage get a hold of yourself, you have a job to do! Although Christina sustained some blood loss, her blood pressure and pulse were normal. He read off the vitals to Roy.
"Mommy, it was stuck! I couldn't open it so I pushed it," Christina, swinging her knees, answered defensively.
Judy leaned in closer, "Honey, that window is not a play thing. You should have asked me to open it for you."
Christina projected her bottom lower lip as tears welled up in her deep-set brown eyes. John cooed, "Don't cry, OK?" He glanced meaningfully at Christina and Judy. His eyes spoke volumes, and Judy grew noticeably less anxious.
John asked Christina, "How old are you honey?"
"Six."
Roy was better at treating children, but as John proceeded to remove Christina's stained towel, she whimpered, "Don't take it off! It's gonna bleed again!"
"Christina, please let him help you," Judy chided.
Christina screamed, "NO! I don't want him to!"
"Christina, my name is John and this is Roy, we're here to help." Just as John was carefully opening the towel, the bleeding erupted.
Christina pulled her arm away, "WWWWAAAAAA!"
John quickly closed it. He maneuvered his right hand free while applying pressure with his left. "She has a deep cut just below the pinkie finger. She's going to need stitches," he concluded. "I can't let go of her hand because of the bleeding."
Judy knew there was something oddly familiar about the paramedic looking after her daughter. Johnny? Is it really you? Just before dialing Rampart, Roy startled Judy from her thoughts, "Is your daughter on any medication?"
"No."
"Any recent illnesses?"
"Not really. She had the Chicken Pox last year and a cold a few weeks ago." Judy stared at the object of her anger, "That stupid window just won't open!"
John intercepted, "Did you ask your super to fix it?"
Judy replied with a crossed tone to John, "Sure I did, but that doesn't matter around here!" His voice. It sounded almost like him, but how do I know for sure?
"I'm sorry," John said sincerely. I can tell she gets upset easily. Reminds me of someone very close in my life.
Roy consulted with Dr. Joe Early at Rampart through the biophone. "Rampart, this is Squad 51."
"Go ahead 51."
"Rampart, we have a child, approximately six years of age, with a severe cut below the left pinkie finger. We are applying pressure. Her vitals are normal, and she has no recent history of illness or medication."
"Squad 51, continue pressure but replace the dressing if bleeding persists. The ambulance ETA is three minutes."
"10-4 Rampart," Roy hung up the receiver, "Transport is on its way."
"Roy, I need to patch her up with fresh gauze. This one's getting soaked," John had a firm, yet consoling hold on Christina's hand.
Roy winked at Christina as he quickly brought John the fresh gauze. "Here, Johnny."
"Thanks," John captured it with his right hand. He steadily removed the other hand from Christina's, "Sweetheart, I need to change the bandage now."
"Mommy, please don't let him take it off!" "Honey, let him help you." Judy pleasantly replied.
John, feeling sorry for Christina, cleared his throat as he addressed Judy. "Can you keep Christina calm while I do this?" She nodded before softly speaking to her daughter, "Christina, tell the nice men about your new doll."
"I don't wanna," Christina began fidgeting.
Roy pleaded with a broad smile, "Christina, can you close your eyes and count backwards for us?"
"Why?"
"Cause we bet you can't!" John dared, attempting to distract Christina from seeing her hand.
"Yes I can, watch," Christina shut her eyes and was slowly counting backwards, "10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3…hey!"
John's experience as a trained paramedic came in very handy. The bloodied towel fell to the floor as he quickly and tightly replaced it with fresh gauze. He beamed, "Terrific! We knew you could do it all along. See? We fixed up your hand until you get to the hospital."
Christina wiggled her nose and made a wry face. "You tricked me!" John and Roy both grinned at her. Christina let out a small giggle.
John brandished a toothy smile, "How do you feel?"
"Scared," she admitted tiredly.
Roy felt compassion for the little girl. She had to have been the same age as his daughter. "You'll be fine, honey," he said. The ambulance arrived, and the attendants entered with a stretcher. They carried Christina into the awaiting vehicle outside.
Roy was first to leave the apartment. He placed the soiled towel in a disposable bag and picked up the paramedic gear. "Johnny, I'll take the squad in and meet you at Rampart."
"Right, Roy." John said as he grabbed the biophone. He approached Judy on their way out, "You can ride in the ambulance with us, if you'd like." I need to know. It has to be you after all these years!
"Yes, thank you. I hope my super doesn't make me pay for that window! I kept complaining about it." Judy huffed as she fetched her purse and keys. I can't look him in the eye without shuddering. He's exactly like Johnny.
John then decided to settle two issues at once. Was this my Judy? And why was that window so hard to open?
"This building is so old, it's falling apart," Judy said while securing her apartment door that had 3 locks plus a bolt. "All these apartments are corroding, dripping, peeling, breaking, creaking or tearing. Same crap, different day."
"Is this place safe for the two of you?"
"With my tight budget, it's as safe as it's going to be," Judy surrendered. "But I'm holding on for just a little while longer. We're moving soon."
"Good for you," John answered, slightly relieved that they were getting away from those conditions. As Judy walked ahead, he gently took hold of her elbow, "I'm curious about something. Was your mother's name Irene?" Judy, please say yes.
Judy stopped in her tracks and turned, "Yes but she passed away a long time ago. How do you know?" Oh my, oh my.
"Judy, you don't remember me?"
It was Judy's turn to study his deep-set brown eyes, wavy hair and high cheekbones. Judy wanted to be sure that he was her Johnny. She then looked at this identification tag, GAGE. She gasped, "Johnny? Oh my God, I thought I'd never see you again!"
John greeted her with a happy face, "Hi ya, cuz."
She couldn't believe it. The shock of running into her cousin nearly rooted her feet to the floor. "Why didn't we recognize each other before?"
"We all got caught up in taking care of your…daughter."
"Johnny, we have a lot of catching up to do," Judy said awkwardly as they crossed the courtyard, heading towards the parked ambulance. Roy was already en route to Rampart and was missing out on John's discovery.
He bit down on his lower lip, "I know. We should wait until after Christina gets help at Rampart."
"Sounds fine to me."
Judy and John were paternal first cousins. Throughout childhood, they were practically brother and sister because neither had siblings. They went to the same schools, hung out with the same group of friends, shared stories, fought, teased, and played practical jokes on each other. Those were the good old days. When John lost his father and his mother became ill, Aunt Irene treated him like a son. Then she too passed away after John's mother died.
John hadn't seen Judy in years and she looked good. But why was she being indifferent? "Didn't you live here with Aunt Irene?"
"Well, it's a long story how I moved back to the same place mom raised me in," Judy said as they exited the building. "So, we have a lot to talk about."
"We can have coffee later," John hoped his cousin would accept.
Judy shrugged her shoulders, "Sure."
The ride to Rampart was short but seemed an eternity. Judy grew more distant from her cousin as the ride progressed. Inwardly, Judy had a reasonable amount of guilt. The passage of time that separated them laid heavy on her soul. She decided to break the ice, "Johnny?"
"Judy?"
"I promise you, we will catch up, "she assured him.
* * * * *
At Rampart, Christina was timid about the treatment she would endure. John comforted her, "Lots of kids get stitches. You won't notice a thing."
Christina winced, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. I used to get stitches all the time," John said smugly in his attempt to cheer her up. He then caught Judy's eyes. Remember that Judy? We used to get cuts and scrapes like crazy. "I'd like that. I want to know more about this cute little darling," said John as he gently squeezed Christina's nose.
She found the small talk puzzling but was beginning to trust Johnny. "That tickles!" When Dr. Early entered the treatment room, Christina grew leery and tense. "Mommy, please stay with me?"
Judy looked over at Johnny, a cousin she lost contact with since high school. "Christina really needs me, so how about a rain check?"
"No problem. My squad is free at the moment. If I'm still here when she's done, just look for me in the waiting room."
"We will, Johnny and thanks," Judy said as Dr. Early and a nurse set up a suture tray.
"Sure," John replied disappoitendly as he left the room. As the door swung
shut behind him, he muttered, "Wow, no hug."
"Do you want me to?" Roy kidded as he came up from behind. "You need to fill out the report on the little girl."
"I am, in a minute. Roy, do you know why I was going nuts earlier? At that run we just handled?"
"Don't tell me. You had a crush on the girl's mom in junior high."
"No, man! She's my first cousin."
"Really? You two didn't seem like family over there."
"Well, it's been more than 10 years since I last saw her. Judy's mom died right after we graduated. Before anyone could stop her, Judy packed her things and took off for New York. Nothing, not a word, Roy." Deep in his heart, he missed Judy tremendously. But he had no way of contacting her. He strongly believed Judy missed him too. There was an unforeseen reason why things happened the way they did.
"That's odd, Johnny. Not even a letter?"
"Well, when she talked to me about her plans, I became very angry. I told her she would be making a mistake. We had a huge fight and, two days later, she disappeared." Roy crossed his arms, "That's rough. But why is a nice girl with a cute kid living in a dump now?" He also noticed Judy's building was deteriorating. Johnny gestured with a puzzled look, "No idea, but I plan to find out."
Roy understood that Johnny needed some time alone with Judy. "Listen, I'm going to get more supplies, maybe you should wait here until they come out."
"Roy, I am counting on that unless…"
Tones sounded on the Handie Talkie, "Squad 51…man down…103 culvert, One Zero Three culvert…cross street Vine…time out 16:18."
"Darn, never fails," John sucked in his breath. "I'm going to visit Judy and Christina on my next day off.
Roy patted his long-time partner on the back, "Come on, we'll talk about this in the squad."
* * * * *
Some time after Roy and John departed, Judy and Christina were leaving the room two, escorted by Dr. Early. "You'll have that bandage on for two weeks, Christina. Try not to get it too wet."
"Yes sir."
Judy shook his hand, "Dr. Early, thank you so much. We were on pins and needles."
"That's what we're here for," he answered before walking away.
"Mommy, where's that nice man who came with us?" Judy realized Christina needed to know. "Christina, his name is John Gage and he's our cousin."
Christina's eyes widened with glee, "Wow! I wanna hug him!"
Judy wanted to also. At the back of her mind, she felt John forgot all about her. They had a silly argument over her plans for New York City. He thought she wouldn't be able to survive in the mean streets. She wanted to prove otherwise. I never sent him birthday cards, never called at Christmas time – he must really hate me! Judy was unaware how John truly felt.
"Christina, I do too. I grew up with Johnny, like brother and sister. We roller skated, went swimming, horseback riding, and did each other's homework."
Christina's excitement in meeting John was evident. "Can we find him?"
"Let's see if we can," Judy shared in her daughter's enthusiasm.
Head Nurse Dixie McCall walked towards Judy and Christina after she assisted Dr. Brackett. "May I help you?" she asked.
"Yes, we're looking for John Gage. He's my cousin."
"Oh! Well, I believe he just went on a run. I don't know when he'll be back," said Dixie with slight surprise. Johnny never mentioned a cousin, but her features are so identical.
Judy persisted, "Do you know how I can reach him?"
"He works out of Station 51. You could find him there later today," Dixie suggested.
"Great, thanks. Christina, let's go home. After the super fixes that nasty window, we'll pay Johnny a visit."
"Okay, Mommy, bye," Christina waved to Dixie.
Dixie waved back, "Bye now."
* * * * *
The temperature increased dramatically by early evening. It was after 8 PM at Station 51, and the A shift was in the lounge watching a Dodger's baseball game. The cherished break was long overdue as the crew responded to calls throughout the day. "I'm glad I'm not at the ballpark tonight," said Chet Kelly. "It must be hotter than a oven out there."
"I'm pooped from all the fires lately," Marco Lopez rolled his head back. "How many did we hit today, 7 or 8?"
Mike Stoker determined, "At least. How was your day, Johnny?"
John was in no mood for chitchat as he sat quietly on the sofa, pretending to enjoy the game. The thought of visiting Judy and Christina rolled in his mind like an avalanche. He needed to see Judy, wanted to know why she stayed away from him. Is she still mad at me? They always confided in each other. Then again, he never tried to seek her whereabouts. I couldn't reach out to her. Why did she leave? Did I drive her away? After she left home, John finished school and started training as a firefighter. It finally dawned on him that Mike has asked him a question. "Well, besides a family reunion, it was business as usual." John rose and walked towards his locker.
"What's with him?" Chet asked.
Roy then explained about Johnny's encounter with a cousin he had not seen in years. She made a life for herself in New York but came back to LA with a daughter John never knew about. "They did look like him, but he and I were too busy to notice," Roy commented after sipping coffee from his mug.
Marco wondered, "Why doesn't he see her?"
"I'm sure he will, but he's probably nervous about it," Roy said honestly. He always thought of John as a brother, not just his partner. It pained him to see John down or when something was troubling him. And this was one of those times.
"I'll go see if I can cheer him up a bit," Roy volunteered. Just then, the alarm tones sounded throughout the station, indicating a serious situation.
"Station 51, Engine 36…unknown type rescue…1411 West 220th, One Four One One West 220th, cross street Vernon…time out 19:36."
"SHIT!" John yelled, "That's Judy's building!" Fear enveloped his entire conscience. He saw Judy and Christina's distorted faces before his eyes. The next few minutes were automatic and filled with absolute tension. John didn't even realize he sat in the squad next to Roy. He was not aware that he was talking to himself. What the hell happened? Unknown rescue...
Roy began, "Johnny, don't start thinking the worse."
"Roy, damn it, don't tell me that!" John cut short his rising panic.
"Sorry" was all Roy could say in silence. He dared not utter another word as he continued driving the squad.
Engine 36 was already at the scene when the squad and engine 51 pulled up in front of the building. Hank Stanley quickly jumped off the engine and approached Capt. O'Reilly from 36. "What's going on?"
"Parts of the wall and ceiling collapsed in a ground floor apartment, at the southwest corridor. I have three of my men at the scene."
Seconds later, O'Reilly's Handie Talkie crackled and a voice echoed, "HT, this is 36."
O'Reilly responded, "This is the captain. Go ahead 36."
"HT, we cleared the debris, but there are two victims inside that require medical attention."
O'Reilly asked routinely, "36, how extensive is the damage?"
The responding voice crackled, "HT, a section of the ceiling collapsed in the bedroom, and plaster crumbled from a wall in the same area."
"36, any further signs of danger?"
"Negative, HT. We checked out everything."
Hank then suggested, "I'll send two of my guys to evacuate the two lower floors, just as a precaution."
"Good enough." O'Reilly agreed and then spoke on his HT, "36, I'm sending in 51 to evacuate the first two floors."
"Ten-four HT."
"Ten-four 36."
Hank instructed, "Chet! Marco! Assist 36 in getting the tenants out of the first two floors!"
"Okay Cap!" They both affirmed.
The emergency was taking its toll on the elder O'Reilly, "Hank, you can send in your paramedics."
John's blood was boiling with every passing minute. He knew instantly that Judy and Christina were in trouble and desperately needed help. John went nearly nose to nose with Hank and asked with trepidation, "Cap?"
Hank signed deeply, "Johnny, Roy, fractions of the wall and ceiling collapsed inside the ground floor apartment, southwest corridor. There are two injuries at the scene."
John quickly changed from raging fury to complete shock. That's Judy's apartment!
Roy knew this was eating Johnny's gut. Hope dwindled with no sign of Judy and Christina among the tenants that were evacuating. Roy shouted to bring John out of his unnerving state, "Okay, Cap! Johnny, let's go!" Roy picked up the medical gear and drug box after putting on his turnout coat. Johnny's hands perspired from so much distress, his turnout coat was unusually cumbersome. He reached down and picked up the biophone. Roy proceeded to walk forward when he grew impatient, "Johnny, hurry up!"
"Okay, Roy!" This was a fine kettle of fish! Judy was the sister he never had. Christina could almost pass as his daughter. Why was life so unfair? "Let's go!"
Hank witnessed the best paramedics in LA County assertively nearing the building. He picked up his own HT and relayed the situation to LA dispatch. Afterwards, he touched base with O'Reilly, "How did this happen?"
"I gathered that after a period of time, water accumulated behind the walls, causing the plaster to buckle and disintegrate. There might have been a leaky pipe in the structure that went undetected for weeks. The County served the management a summons a few days ago for prior violations."
Hank bewilderedly shook his head. "No one deserves to live this way."
As the two paramedics went inside the entrance, they observed mayhem as tenants from the two lower floors scrambled past. The familiar door of apartment 2 was open. Fireman Brown from 36 stood in the doorway and spoke urgently as he led Roy and John towards the bedroom. "A woman and her daughter are in the back. They're conscious. We cleared the debris, and lifted a steel frame from the girl's leg."
John's knees began trembling. "What?"
Brown reiterated, "We removed the frame but the girl may have a broken leg."
Roy asked, "How's the woman?"
"She has a gash on her forehead and a concussion. We didn't move either one until you guys got here."
Roy commanded, "Listen, go to the squad and get someone to help you bring back two backboards, a cervical collar and splints."
Brown acknowledged, "You got it."
A musty odor in the air suffocated the apartment. John looked up at the ceilings and saw cracks, bulges and splits. Judy thought this building was safe? Upon entering the bedroom, speculation confirmed his fears. Enormous chunks of plaster spilled across the bedroom. The ceiling panels above exposed a hole large enough for a steel frame to fall through. And it did, with the tip crashing on Christina's left shin, just below the knee. Directly underneath the ripped ceiling was Christina, positioned on her back and writhing in pain. Her leg twisted at a slight angle and took on a purplish hue.
Johnny quickly came to her side as Judy lay inches away. The exposed gash on her head was bloody, and she appeared delirious. "Please! My daughter needs help!" Roy immediately attended Judy, mostly to keep her calm. She groaned when realizing that Roy was taking her vitals. "Is Johnny here too?"
Roy answered in a caressing tone, "Yes, he's with your daughter. Just keep your head steady."
Judy groaned, "Oh…we were at the closet when we heard this crunching sound. Before we knew it, half the room came down on us."
"Okay, relax. You and Christina are going to be fine."
Meanwhile, Johnny tried his best to comfort Christina, who was on the verge of blacking out. "Christina, can you hear me?"
"Mmmmffff…"
"It's me, Johnny. The nice man who took care of you earlier."
"Ummmffff…"
Johnny was afraid she might suffer paralysis. "Christina, can you move your legs?"
She painfully wiggled toes on her damaged leg, "Uh huh..."
Brown and Chet then arrived with the apparatus Roy requested. Johnny quickly assessed Christina's injury. "Roy, she has a compound fracture on her left leg. I'm going to immobilize it with the splints. Her BP and pulse are normal and so is her breathing."
Roy called back, "Judy's vitals are normal too. She has an abrasion on her forehead and a mild concussion. I'll make the call to Rampart while closing the wound."
"Okay, Roy."
As the pain increased, Christina tried to move restlessly. "Mmmmooommm…"
Johnny delicately placed her fractured leg in the splints, "Christina, don't move, okay?"
Experience and skill came in handy for Roy. He tenderly covered Judy's cut with gauze just as he dialed the biophone, "Rampart, this is squad 51."
Dr. Brackett responded, "Go ahead 51."
"Rampart, we have two victims of a structure collapse. One is a woman, about 28 years of age, with an abrasion on her forehead, and she is suffering from a mild concussion. The second is a six year old female with a compound fracture of the left leg and is semi-conscious."
"51, on the younger victim, insert an MS IV and keep her leg immobilized. On the older one, insert an IV with D5W and steady her head and neck. Transport both as soon as possible."
"10-4 Rampart."
Emergency personnel reacted swiftly and accordingly. Two ambulances were already in front of the building, one for each victim. Roy rode with Judy, and Johnny was in the other with Christina. John took her little hand, the one he patched up earlier that day, "Christina, Christina, can you hear me?" She already passed out. No movement, not even twitching. John used his mini light to check her pupils. They were equal and reactive. The pain was too much, even if the IV drip was working. John then rubbed away the stinging sensation from his eyes.
* * * * *
Christina lay dormant on the stretcher and looked peaceful, quite contempt despite her condition. Rampart General came into view, and the orderlies immediately took charge as the ambulances parked. Dr. Morton, who was standing by, directed placing Judy in Treatment Room 1, and Christina in Treatment Room 2. John's overwhelming hysteria pulled him in two directions. He wanted to be with both. He knew that staying with Christina was the better option, as Roy already followed the orderlies who rolled Judy into room 1.
Johnny trailed behind the haste surrounding Christina as they led her inside the treatment room. As John approached the door, it swung open when a nurse emerged. "Hi Johnny. Dr. Brackett has everything under control. He'll notify you as soon as Christina is more stable."
"Stable?"
"She'll be fine."
"Thanks." John drifted momentarily but seeing Roy exiting room 1 triggered his awareness, "How's Judy?"
Roy walked next to his partner, placed a caring hand on his shoulder. "She's a little groggy but coherent. She has to stay overnight for observation."
"Did anyone tell her about Christina?"
"She knows. As soon as Kel examines her daughter, he wants to see Judy right away."
"Christina was in rough shape when we brought her in, Roy."
Roy figured that the one person John wanted to talk to was the one who mostly needed him, "Why don't you talk to Judy? She's asking for you."
Johnny knew it was now or never. If Judy held back from discussing why she decided to leave California, he wasn't going to force her. He clenched his fist as he remembered his fight with Judy. Apologizing to her was a good way to make amends. "Roy, I'm afraid she won't open up to me."
"I think it's quite the contrary."
"Well, I…"
Roy felt as if he were pulling teeth, "Go before I throw you in there. I have to notify a friend of hers in Sacramento."
"Thanks Roy, I appreciate it."
"You bet," Roy said as he went towards the base station.
Judy, with a dressing on her forehead, lay on the hospital bed. She burdened herself with guilt over the accident. "Why didn't I move from there sooner?"
John peeked in just as he overheard. "Why didn't you?" he asked.
"Oh, you were always the one to challenge me," Judy slowly rolled her head in his direction. "My daughter has a broken leg, my apartment fell apart, and on top of that, you probably hate me for all this, Johnny!" The pain in Judy's head began throbbing.
John came closer to her bedside, "Far from it. You have a concussion and shouldn't be working yourself up anyway," he reprimanded softly.
"Yes, cuz," Judy managed a weak grin. "How's Christina? I'm really worried about her."
"She's getting full medical attention from the best. Try not to worry, okay?"
"I guess you're right. She's my little angel."
John took a seat next to Judy. "Listen…"
"John Gage, now you listen," Judy gingerly eased herself into an upright sitting position. "After my mom died, yes, I moved to New York. I attended NYU Drama School for a couple of years. That's where I met Steve. We dated, married, became parents, and then divorced."
John listened intently, nodding at Judy's every word, "And you never called or wrote?"
"Johnny, I am sorry about that. I practically left California behind. I figured you were probably doing fine anyway."
"And you were okay in New York?"
Judy answered facetiously, "I got mugged once and that was the pinnacle of my New York experience."
John felt at ease with her sense of humor. "Judy, I'm sorry I yelled at you that day. I had my own selfish reasons why I wanted you to stay."
Judy rotated her neck to relieve stiffness, "I imagined you were angry at me after we fought, but I still had good reasons for leaving."
John asked regretfully, "Did you leave because of me?"
"No silly! I needed a fresh start, not so much as hostility towards you. Once I settled in The Big Apple, New York was my life."
"You were a big part of my life growing up. I wished you had kept in touch."
"I should have, but I believed you didn't need to hear from me."
"That's ridiculous Judy! Yeah, I have been putting out fires, saving lives, and chasing chicks…"
"Chasing chicks was always your trademark," Judy joked feebly.
"Very funny, bozo," John laughed, then he became serious. "Judy, after you left, I moved on too."
"John, you did good. You're a firefighter and paramedic. I'm proud of you."
"Gee, thanks," John felt gratified. "How long have you been back in LA?"
Judy added, "We moved here nine months ago. I'm a full-time bank teller and a full-time mom. I'm seeing a guy in Sacramento named Andy Jenkins. That's where Christy and I are moving to this fall."
"Is it serious?"
"It's been going on for nearly seven months, and we're crazy about each other. Andy adores Christina, and she thinks the world of him. He's not a loser like my ex-husband."
John questioned, "What made you move back to LA?"
"After my divorce, New York wasn't the same. I grew a little homesick for Southern California. We also got tired of cold New York winters," Judy replied with a faint chuckle.
"How did you get Irene's apartment back?"
"I never lost it. Before mom died, her attorney put the lease in my name. When I moved east, I already subleased it to my friend Maggie. By the time Christina and I got to LA, Maggie and her husband found their own place. I regained possession of that eye sore."
"Was it worth it?"
Judy squinted her eyes shut, "I knew the building was going downhill but living there was only temporary. It was dirt cheap."
"I have a confession to make, Judy. Sometimes I hoped you would come back to LA and look me up in the phone book. I would have been there if you needed me."
"John, it has been so long that I thought, well, you forgot about me," Judy had a remorseful edge in her response.
"Does it look as if I did? Now, lay back down and relax before your head explodes," John scolded Judy with his tranquil words.
She responded while lowering herself under the sheets, "You bully."
Just then, Dr. Brackett entered. "Hey, Johnny."
John smiled warmly, "Hi ya, Doc."
Dr. Brackett approached Judy, "How are you feeling?"
"My head hurts like hell and I'm a bit woozy, but I can handle it."
"You'll get over that in a few hours," Dr. Brackett answered while examining her chart. He continued, "Judy, we're sending your daughter to pediatrics. Her left leg is in a cast from a fracture below the knee."
The news concerned Judy, "Is she okay?"
Dr. Brackett replied as his eyebrows furrowed, "She woke up asking for you, but we had to sedate her because of the pain. We can release her tomorrow, but she'll have the cast on for six weeks."
"This was all she needed," Judy slightly wagged her head in anguish. "First, her hand cuts from a crappy window and now a broken leg!" John bent within earshot, "Judy, it's not your fault."
"Johnny's right," said Dr. Brackett who glanced briefly at John. "The best thing you can do is find another place to live." John knew his apartment was no bigger than a breadbox, but if it were only for a few more weeks, he could tolerate sharing his space. He spoke, "Judy, when you and Christina discharge tomorrow, you can stay with me."
"Johnny, no! I couldn't do that. Andy's coming down from Sacramento…"
Dr. Brackett intervened, "Right now, I think neither you nor Christina are up to any long distance travelling. I'd stay with Johnny if I were you."
"Judy, lend me the keys to your apartment. I'll get some of your belongings and bring them home after my shift, okay?" John added, resting his hand on her shoulder.
Judy sighed, "Johnny…"
"I won't take no for answer." John was unrelenting as he placed hands on hips.
"Okay, you won this time," Judy resigned. "Doctor, when can I see my daughter?"
Dr. Brackett declared, "In a few minutes. I'm sending an orderly to wheel you upstairs."
"Thank you, Doctor," Judy said hoarsely.
"No problem. I'll leave you and Johnny alone," Dr. Brackett concluded as he was leaving the treatment room.
John then focused on his cousin, "Listen, Roy and I need to be heading back to the station. Tell Christina I'll see her tomorrow, okay?"
"I will, Johnny," Judy replied as tears were forming.
John tugged on her sleeve, "Don't start, you brat."
Judy held her breath and released it slowly, "Johnny, when the accident happened, I was dressing Christina in my room. We ignored the squeaky sounds we always heard. Then it hit us."
John's eyes were somber, "Shhh, relax now."
Judy's despair was obvious, "We had no chance of moving out of the way, Johnny. We were going to come and see you at the fire station tonight."
His heart fell to the pit of his stomach. He swallowed a lump of regret in his throat. He came over to Judy and embraced her. "She'll be fine. Just give her a kiss for me?"
"I will. Remember what we used to say as kids? 'Look who's funny, look who's strange…'"
"'…that skinny kid, Johnny Gage.'"
* * * * *
John's studio transformed into an infirmary, because his sofa bed was large enough for Christina and Judy. John made accommodations very convenient while he adjusted to sleeping on the floor. He didn't mind and wouldn't have had it any other way.
The night after Christina and Judy's release from Rampart, the three of them watched television. Judy yawned, "I can't understand why little blue people from Mars would want to take over the earth?"
"I guess they were bored." Christina was enjoying a chocolate milkshake John prepared. He also propped her leg on two pillows for added comfort.
John was sitting on his makeshift bed and finishing his milkshake. "I agree with Christina! The Martians were looking for something exciting to do." he replied.
"I think both you and Christina are aliens!" Judy laughed as she tossed a pillow at John.
John stood up, stretched, and aimed his pillow back, "Hey! Not fair!"
Christina softly tossed her pillow at John, "You can't hit my mother!"
"And you can't hit my cousin," Judy began tickling her daughter!
"Want some more milkshake, Christina?" John as he stepped into the kitchen.
"I'll answer that," Judy began, casting a warning eye at her daughter. "The answer is no. It's past her bedtime."
Christina pouted, "Awww, Mom…"
"I'm not going to let Johnny spoil you rotten, although I'd say he's off to a good start," Judy remarked openly.
"Hey, I aim to please!" John retorted before another pillow came straight at him from Judy.
During the weeks that followed, Christina's hand and leg healed sufficiently, so she was able to run and play. She thought of John as more of an uncle than her cousin. On his days off, he took her to the zoo, the movies, and even to the penny arcades. Judy accompanied them but not always. There were times when she needed to be alone with her boyfriend Andy, who stayed at a nearby hotel on the weekends. She appreciated her cousin's generosity and didn't take advantage of it. John and Judy were not only closer than ever but grasped a deeper understanding of each other.
John admitted that he became attached to his younger cousin. He was not jealous of Christina's affection for Andy as it always noticeable. One afternoon at John's place, he witnessed Andy and Christina playing a game of "Operation" on the coffee table.
Judy was in the kitchen fixing sandwiches when John approached, "Those two really dig each other, huh?"
Judy was spreading mustard on a slice of bread when she answered, "Steve wasn't the ideal fatherly figure. He used to stay out late gambling and was never around enough for her."
John arched his back against the counter, "That's why you dumped him?"
Judy wiped her hands on a dish towel, "Yes, and other things. It wasn't working out, but I'm glad I found Andy. He's the best thing that ever happened to us...besides you."
John turned and reached for a drinking glass from the cupboard, "Hey, you're making me blush, and I don't do that easily!"
Judy crossed her arms, "Oh is that so?"
John retorted jokingly, "Yea, that's so!"
"Yeah, I remember when my mom used to help toilet train you!" She returned.
John lowered his eyes and grinned, "C'mon, you can't remember that far back."
Judy snickered, "Well, not exactly but you cried whenever your diapers drooped!"
"Ha ha ha," he guffawed while embracing his cousin.
John's outlook on life was also beginning to change. He was turning from an aloof playboy to a seriously devoted family man. Some day, he hoped, I'm going to be the best father and husband in the universe.
* * * * *
A day finally came that John did not look forward to but accepted maturely. It was when Judy and Christina moved to Sacramento. Capt. Stanley granted Roy and John a rare day off together so they could help Judy with the move. Brice and Dwyer took care of the squad.
The moving company, with boxes, furniture and appliances loaded in a truck, was already en route to Sacramento. Roy and Andy broke away from the three cousins, allowing them privacy. Christina held Johnny's hand, and John had his other arm around Judy. John quipped, "Hey, you're not going to disappear again, are you?"
"Are you kidding? I'll never make that mistake again. Christina won't allow it," Judy said with confidence.
John smiled, "Well, considering you're a rich gal now."
Judy looked heavenward and released a slow breath, "That poor excuse for a landlord had it coming anyway, Johnny." She faced her cousin, "I wasn't the only one who sued his butt off and won."
John asked, "What are you going to do with the settlement?"
"Help furnish our new home and put the rest away in savings. I think Christina will be a dynamite college student."
Christina looked up at her mother with soulful brown eyes. "Mom, can Johnny come visit us?"
"Johnny can see us whenever he wants to." Judy owed her cousin that much and more. He's my shining star.
Andy was already in the driver's seat when he saw them approaching. He kidded, "Hey Johnny, you're not changing my gals' minds, are ya?"
"No sir-ree, this is just a long goodbye," John answered frankly.
Andy jerked his head, "Your pal Roy is at his car. He's waiting for you there."
Christina couldn't hold back her sadness, "Bye Johnny, please come see us, please."
John knelt down until he was eye level, "No sweat, precious. Say, I got a present for you!"
Christina yelped, "You do?"
John then produced a small gift from his back pocket and handed it to Christina. She tore away at the frilly paper and opened the box. She revealed a tiny, stained-glass butterfly pendant hooked on a gold chain.
"It's a butterfly necklace, Mom!"
Judy clasped her hands together, "Oh Johnny, it's beautiful."
"I remember how much you liked butterflies when we were little," John reminisced.
"Christina does too," Judy recognized that John didn't forget the good times they shared as children.
"Here, let me put it on." John latched the chain around Christina's neck.
"Mommy, can I wear this to school?"
"Well, how about when we visit Johnny?"
"Yep," Christina wrapped her small arms around Johnny's neck. "Thanks Johnny."
"Love ya, Christina," he affectionately pinched her nose.
Judy's eyes were hot with tears. "Johnny, thanks for everything. I'll call you as soon as we get settled."
John squeezed her hand as he teased, "Don't start that crying again! You were always such a wimp."
Judy tenderly punched John on his upper arm before hugging him. "Bye cuz, you better behave."
"I will, just keep in touch."
As Christina and Judy got into the car, John shook hands with Andy. After doing so, they drove away. Christina waved lovably at John through the back seat window. The shiny butterfly danced away in the distance. He waved in return but the emptiness he felt consumed his heart. They'll see him again, sooner than later.
Roy parked his car a few feet away and saw everything from the driver's seat. No doubt John would put up a facade to mask his true feelings. John held his breath for a moment and went to Roy's car. He opened the side door and slipped into the passenger seat. "Roy, we still have the rest of the day to ourselves."
"Joanne's fixing meatloaf and potatoes for dinner tonight. You're free to join us," Roy offered.
"Nah, I couldn't…"
"She made chocolate cake."
Johnny's eyebrows rose high enough to reach his forehead. "Chocolate, huh?"
Roy answered, "That's right. It's homemade and so is the vanilla frosting."
Johnny's stomach grumbled ferociously, "Well, what are we waiting for? I want to see Chris and Erin anyway." That was all Roy needed to hear as he turned the keys in the ignition.
For years, Station 51 and Rampart were John's only family until Judy and Christina enriched his life. He treasured and captured every moment he spent with his family, just as he did when he was younger. Happier times were on the horizon as new memories, included with those from his childhood, lay head for Cousin Johnny.