I'll Be Watching by  Lindasqd51 Captain Stanley began to open a letter he'd just received. As he began to read a smile spread across his face. Then the tears began to fall. He needed a few moments to get himself under control before gathering his men to tell them what was in the letter. After a few moments Hank Stanley realized he'd always cry thinking of this very special letter. Walking into the bay he asked his men to join him. Mike, the engineer, leaned against the cab of the engine. Kelly and Marco stood near the controls. Johnny and Roy leaned against the squad. Each man noticed the red eyes and tear stained cheeks of their Captain. "Hank, what's wrong?" Roy asked. Hank's voice lacked its usual tenor. It was still cracking when he spoke," I just got a letter.....remember.........." *********** Six Days Earlier "God, I hate dress uniforms," John Gage groaned pulling at his collar.  "What a way to have to spend a Saturday." "Tell me about it Gage," Chet said scratching at his neck. Marco was pulling at his collar, "I'm being choked to death." "Oh, it's not that bad. Besides we are here representing the County," Mike Stoker added scratching at his own neck. "Better not make another comment Johnny, here comes the Cap," Roy said pointing behind Johnny. They watched Captain Stanley approach with a man and a little boy. "Gentlemen, this man has request he'd like to make of us," Hank nodded to the man. Hank introduced his men. "Hi, uh, I got kinda a favor to ask all of you," The man began to explain. "My name is Mike. This little guy is my son Mac." Mike ruffled the hair of the seven year old boy. "Mac here dreams of becoming a firefighter, always has." Mike's face grew serious. "Mac and his grandpa always talk about it. You see his Grandpa was a firefighter till a disease took the use of his legs." All the men stopped pulling and scratching. "Mac and his Grandpa talked about the day he'd graduate from the fire academy. Mac's grandpa is 77. So, he told him that when the time came to throw his," Mike rubbed the boy's shoulders, "cap into the air, he'd be watching from heaven." The guys all felt the pull on their hearts. Their eyes couldn't leave the little boy. Mike continued, "Well, this past Tuesday, Mac's Grandpa took a spill from his wheelchair He had bleeding on the brain. Then on Thursday Grandpa suffered a massive stroke." Mike needed a moment to gather his strength. "I'd like to ask you all for a favor," Mike continued. "Of course, anything," The crew of station 51 said together. "Could Mac use one of your hats to throw into the air? I'd like to take a picture to give to his Grandpa." John Gage stepped up and kneeled in front of the boy, "It would be an honor if you'd use mine." "Why don't we all do it?" Roy suggested. The men nodded and made semi circle around the smiling boy. Mike stood back and got his camera ready. On the count of three they all threw their caps into the air. The picture was taken. **************** Captain Stanley was finishing reading the letter. "..........when we arrived back home my wife told me her father, Mac's Grandpa had past away earlier in the day. Though we were all sadden Mac made the point that Grandpa had seen him throw his hat toward heaven. We developed the picture and it was laid in his coffin for all to see at the wake. Your kind and simple gesture, toward a little boy you did not know, was the greatest gift during such a sad time. The crew of Station 51 will be in our prayers always." No one spoke. No one moved. They all wiped at their faces. And a minute or so they each quietly headed off to some private place in the station to mourn a man they did not know. Captain Hank Stanley framed the picture the father sent along with the letter. It hangs proudly in the dayroom. POST SCRIPT Last Tuesday my Uncle Neil fell from his scooter. His injuries were mentioned in the story. Mac and Mike are real. Replace the guys with cadets from Annapolis and the location was the Navy game on Saturday. Uncle Neil was a Navy veteran and until last Tuesday strong and healthy. Mac has been talking about being a Navy pilot for years. My Uncle often told him he'd be watching his graduation from heaven. "So, throw your cap to heaven, I'll be watching." The picture was in the casket for all to see. At the eulogy the picture was explained. Not a dry eye amongst the 300 mourners. Feedback for Lindasqd51 return to main menu .