Just Another Day at Work by Kajakat "Ya know Roy, I coulda been killed back there." Johnny's hands were as exaggerated as was his voice. Roy knew he was at the beginning of one of Johnny's outbursts. He continued to watch the road as they were driving back to their station. He looked at Johnny every once in awhile to make it appear he was listening while in reality he was trying to concentrate on his driving. "and when she swung that bat around, another couple of inches it woulda hit me in the head." "You should wear you helmet." Roy decided it was time to say something. The look on Johnny's face was of disapproval. "I can't believe you said that Roy. You take your helmet off too." "Yes I do, when I know the situation is safe." Roy briefly looked at Johnny then went back to driving. "Lemme tell ya something. I'm gonna quit this job before it kills me." From the corner of his eye, Roy looked at Johnny. Something in his demeanor led Roy to believe his partner was serious. He turned the blinker on and pulled the squad off the road into a vacant parking lot. He didn't realize how hot a day it was until the squad stopped moving and the breeze ended. He put the squad into park and looked at Johnny. "You aren't serious, are you?" Johnny didn't answer. "You ARE serious." "Yes, I am. I'm only 28 years old and look at what's happened to me on the job. I got some monkey virus that almost killed me…" "But it didn't." Johnny glared at Roy, annoyed his answer was interrupted. "As I was saying…" "Sorry." Roy shrugged his shoulders. "I got bitten by a snake and nearly died. I've had broken legs, concussions, burns, thorns…" Johnny was ticking off each finger as he announced his work related injuries. Roy sat through many of Johnny's wild discussions and usually held his opinion to himself. This time, he knew he had to speak up. "I've been buried alive, I've had…" Roy grabbed Johnny's fingers to stop his partner, his friend from continuing. "Look Johnny, I know this job isn't the easiest. Look what's happened to me. I've been blasted out of a window; I've been pushed into a pool, not once but twice. I've had buildings collapse on me. And I have a family." Roy pointed to his chest to stress his point. "You see what I mean! This job is going to kill us!" Johnny leaned his right elbow on the open car window and he brushed his hair back with his left arm and stared out the front window. The two were quiet, letting their minds consider the alternates. Softly Roy spoke up. "Johnny, there is nothing else I'd rather do than this." He cast his eyes down almost embarrassed by what he said. Silence returned and Roy thought Johnny was seriously going to quit the department. On average, Johnny suffered more injuries than other firemen or paramedics and his concerns were valid. "Roy?" Roy came out from his thoughts and looked at Johnny. "I can't think of anything else I want to do either." A crooked grin appeared on his face. "Let's get back to the barn." Hearing those words, Roy turned the key in the ignition starting the motor. He slowly pulled the squad out from the parking lot when a loud POP was heard. The motor died. "I can't believe this. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!" Johnny shouted. "Now we're going to have to call Charley and he's going to blame us for breaking the squad. He always forgets there are others who drive this and the number of miles put on it. And he's….." Roy smiled. He was glad to hear Johnny ranting again. |