the other heroes

THE OTHER HEROES
by Tammy

The three ladies giggled and blushed nervously as their hair and faces were carefully made up. The department had asked if they would be willing to participate in an interview with the popular morning show host, Lyla Rivers. There was a disastrous fire two weeks ago that caught the country's attention for the loss of firemen's lives and the many others who were injured trying to save them. The press was pressing hard to speak with the families of the lost firefighters or at least the families of the injured. Finally, to relieve the pressure that all the families were receiving from the different agencies, the department had looked to one of the stations that had been hit hardest but whose wives were considered some of the strongest in the service. They were wives of veteran firefighters and had, between the three, been in leadership roles in the Spouse's Support Network consistently during the last ten years. Fast friends because of their husbands' ties first, but secondly and now most importantly, their own personalities and interests, they again stepped up to the plate. Joanne DeSoto, Beth Stoker, and Emily Stanley promised one interview if and only if the press would stop hounding all the families. All the press surprisingly agreed and now the interview was about to take place.

"Joanne. Are your kids still at your mom's?" Emily asked the brunette to her left as they watched in the mirror while the preparations continued.

"They should be home next weekend. I want them to have a week here before school starts. Beth, are your parents gone now?" Joanne looked in the mirror to Emily's right, noting that all three of them had lost a bit of weight this last month.

Beth nodded. "Yeah, I finally felt the boys and I were fine. It was very helpful having them here all this time but I needed to get my house back. Mom was starting to make all my decisions and it was becoming much to easy to let that happen."

Both Emily and Joanne nodded, understanding too well how that was. Help and support could too easily become a crutch if it was allowed to. The producer of the show came in then and, thanking the three women again for their participation, took them to the three chairs where they would sit to be interviewed. The friends too immediately noted that with one chair in the back and one to each side just slightly in front, they would be able to maintain physical contact with each other. After the last few weeks, this seemed extremely important to them.   "Lyla will come in just before air time. We plan on giving you fifteen minutes but that can be shortened or lengthened. Please just answer as much or as little as you want. We have Kleenex here," he motioned to a box on the small table in between them. Each lady laughed and held up a hand which already had a tissue or two balled up in it. "You ladies are definitely prepared. Lyla will be asking you pretty standard questions, but don't feel pressured to answer any specific way. The department and our station really do want your honest opinions."
Each lady looked at each other. Emily then looked at the producer. "That's good because you have three very independent women here with strong opinions. We couldn't hide them even if you or the department wanted us to. This was a horrid time for us and the department and we definitely are too tired to dissemble for anybody else's sakes." The other ladies nodded. The producer smiled and once again congratulated himself on getting this interview approved. These women were just the image that the viewers would love.

Lyla sat down and a sound technician was right there checking her mic. She noted that all three women had their mics clipped to their shirts and were all set to go. They appeared slightly nervous but Lyla could tell, from years of interviews, they would be fine on air. She briefly introduced herself and verified each woman's name and the name and title of their spouse. She recognized the names DeSoto and Stanley from various local news bulletins she had seen over the past few years. She knew all three men were highly thought of in the department and all considered tops in their fields. She nodded as the countdown to their segment began. 3-2-1
"Today I would like to introduce you to three of the unsung heroes of the LA County Fire Department. Their husbands were some of the men involved in the warehouse fires earlier this month that claimed eight firefighter's lives and injured twenty-two others. On that day, Beth Stoker's husband Mike was the engineer for Station 51. Joanne DeSoto's husband Roy was one of two paramedics from that station, and Emily Stanley's husband Henry, or Hank, was the captain. I again want to thank all three of you for taking time to come and speak to us. I can only imagine how difficult it is for you all."

All three nodded. "First, Emily. Your husband Hank, how long has he been captain of Station 51's A shift?" Lyla looked to the slightly more mature woman to set the tone for the other two. She had a feeling that her husband's status as captain also led to her being the one willing to lead the others in this interview.

Emily smiled hesitantly, then began with just a hint of a nervous cough. "Hank's been a captain for thirteen years now. This crew has been together for most of that time."

"Isn't that unusual for a shift of firefighters? Don't crews normally transfer around?"

Emily looked at the two women she considered her closest confidants in life. They nodded, giving her quiet support. "Yes, this shift is somewhat unusual. This group has had a long time together but that day was to have started many changes. The day of the fire was to be Mike Stoker's last day as engineer. He had passed his captaincy test and was to finish his last shift then. Roy DeSoto was going to begin a new position as head of the paramedics for the department within two weeks."

Joanne broke in and grinned broadly at her friend, "And don't forget. Hank was to become battalion chief soon also." 51's A Shift was definitely changing.

Emily looked proud for her husband's accomplishments, yet had felt hesitant to sound as if she were bragging for him.

Lyla smiled and questioned all three, "How did you all feel about the changes?"

Joanne nudged Beth, knowing that she might need to be prodded to speak. "Well, I was happy for Mike. And," with a side glance at Emily, "I was also relieved because as captain I felt he would be even safer there than as an engineer." She grimaced slightly as all three realized that hadn't helped Hank.
Joanne nodded and agreed. "I knew that Roy's new position would put him behind a desk a good portion of the day. He still planned to ride along with the paramedics and keep his certification, which meant I could still be certain that he would put himself in dangerous situations, but at least it would be less often."

Emily spoke up again. "We all have put in years worrying for our husbands. Sometimes firefighters' wives look at husbands' promotions as their reward for being nervous all the time." She smiled and the other ladies lightly laughed. They knew promotions meant more money but the safety issue meant more to them than any other benefit.

Lyla's face took a more serious look as she asked her next question. "How hard is that for the spouses? The worrying that is. I mean, you know each day that they will probably have to fight a fire. What does that do to you and your family?"

Both Beth and Emily looked over to Joanne. She shrugged as if to say, Sure, my question.
"My friends here think I should answer because my husband and his partner have both been injured more often than all of the other shift members totaled together," Joanne replied quietly. "They are rescue personnel. That puts them at a somewhat higher risk. I learned sometime ago that I had to let the worry sit in the back of my mind and not let it consume me. The kids do the same. I used to think that it didn't bother them at all. As they have become teenagers, we have talked to them about it and found out they have their own ways of putting it away." Joanne looked at Emily who grinned remembering conversations she'd had with her daughters at that age. Children of firefighters grew up a little more quickly. "Whenever Roy was hurt, they were troopers. Please understand, they fight as much as most kids do, but if Dad or 'Uncle Johnny' is hurt, they rally together and do everything they can to help me out. They have helped me take care of both of them and pick up most of the household chores now that they are older. I do happen to know that both of them have found other children of firefighters or police officers to talk with, sort of an impromptu support group."

"I am surprised that paramedics would be injured more often," Lyla peered at Joanne, somewhat surprised. "I thought that they just treated anyone at the scene who needs treatment? Wouldn't that keep them out of the fire?"

Joanne's lips turned up in a small smile. "Yes, I know. But someone has to bring those people out of that fire. They generally need to find those individuals first. And that means going into the burning buildings before the fires are contained. Then sometimes the people can't be moved until they have begun treatment. If there is no one injured then they work the hoses just like the rest of the men."
Lyla's next question was almost expected. "How often have your husband and his partner been injured?"

Joanne's grin was a little subdued. "That is a tough question. When the guys answer, they only count the hospital visits that lasted longer than two or three days. I used to count all visits. I stopped at fifty. That was a long time ago. My neighbors are great at taking in my kids at a moment's notice. I probably owe more favors than I can ever repay."

Beth and Emily both giggled at that and nodded their agreement.

Lyla pursued Joanne's response. "Do you go and check on Roy's partner too?"

"Oh, yes," Joanne replied. "Johnny's single and my family has adopted him or he adopted us? Not that that makes much difference. He's my husband's best friend and we both care for him." Joanne hesitated, wondering what Roy's reaction to that comment would be. "If the injuries are bad, though, everyone is there."

"Meaning all of A shift?"

"At the very least, though they are there no matter how bad the injury. It also means the three of us," indicating herself and the other two ladies, "whomever of Marco and Chet's families are in town, and, if the injury is really severe, any other firefighter who can get there. I have to say this, the emergency room staff of Rampart General, the hospital our guys normally go to, have become part of this group also. In fact Dixie makes sure the families of the victims are looked after. We consider her one of us. Drs. Brackett, Early, and Morton have been known to come in from off duty when one of the brotherhood is hurt."

Lyla cocked her head at that. "The brotherhood?"

Beth stepped in there. "It is amazing. When you marry a fireman, you soon find out about the brotherhood. Any fireman who is injured or in need finds he has hundreds of brothers in the area. If people outside of the area can help, the brotherhood can go statewide or even nationwide. A funeral for a firefighter, as we just witnessed, can have representatives from all over the state. At most of the recent ones we had, there were firemen from neighboring states too. We all make sure the surviving spouse is never in need. We've held blood drives and organ match testing done whenever a firefighter or his family requires it. I know of an old car that a number of firemen have used to temporarily replace cars wrecked in non-work related accidents until a new vehicle is acquired. The actual owner has never taken a cent for the use of it. This type of help occurs all the time and noone questions it." Beth took a deep breath. Joanne and Emily glanced at each other and smiled. They knew Beth hated public speaking but was passionate in her role as the current president of the spouse's support network.
Joanne picked up the original topic again. "Most of the hose jockeys and the paramedics work in teams of two. These partnerships often result in very strong friendships. My husband and his partner, and Marco and Chet, have been together for so long, that they have become best friends. The shift is like a family with Cap, Hank, as its head."

Lyla questioned again. "Do you three ever feel excluded then? If they are so close, some women might feel jealous."

Again all three looked at each other and laughed. Emily took this one. "If anything, we know that they are going to do everything possible to ensure they all come home each night." She reached over and took Joanne and Beth's hands with hers. "And if they are all brothers, we have become sisters. Joanne's kids have toys at my house that have been left there from years ago. Johnny and I are godparents to Joanne's youngest, JD, and both Hank and I are godparents to Beth and Mike's middle boy. Joanne and Roy are godparents to Beth and Mike's youngest. We have spent a number of nights babysitting each other's kids or holding each other's hands. Sometimes," she stopped, her voice trailing off.

"Sometimes, what," Lyla pursued this question quietly.

Beth and Joanne each looked at their joined hands then looked up and silently approved of Emily's continuing.

"Sometimes, we get together when the guys are working and share our worries. Mama Lopez, most of Marco's sisters and cousins, and Chet's mom and sister have joined us many times. The guys don't know about that." She smiled, "We have tried to have some secrets. Our toughest times are during one of the guy's hospital visits. Joanne is always our strongest, but we tease her that she has more experience. We have to be strong for the guys. We don't want them to worry about us. Obviously, they know we hate to get the late night phone calls or a visit from the battalion chief. We let it all out in our late night sessions. If anyone out there works at a tissue company, you should thank us for most of your sales."

Beth grinned, "Don't forget the ice cream makers. We eat a lot of ice cream those nights."
Joanne laughed. "I think there are a few empty containers in my garbage can right now."   All three women looked at each other guiltily then. Had they sounded uncaring?

Lyla realized what their concern might be. She stepped in quickly. "Your husbands were all seriously injured that night. From what you have told me, this is definitely not the first time. I have seen enough to believe that this must be very hard on you each time. Knowing how much heartbreak would be involved living with a fireman, would you still marry them?"

All three women looked at each other. The other two deferred to Joanne as this question had come up in the last of their late night group sessions.

"Lyla, I have watched various women let some wonderful men get away from them because they didn't think they could hack being a firefighter's wife. Johnny, Chet, and Marco are terrific guys. Beth and Emily both married their husbands after they had become firefighters. I had married Roy before he became one. Would we have made the same choices? Last week, I was very close to telling Roy that this was the last time I wanted to spend my anniversary at the hospital, or wondering if he would be in the hospital or visiting a friend in the hospital. We were married 15 years ago today." Joanne grabbed a tissue and brought it to her eyes. Beth and Emily both reached out to support her. Joanne looked at them gratefully and thanked them with her eyes. "Yes, I would have loved him anyway. I wouldn't change a thing about my life with Roy. The kids and I have wonderful memories that can never be taken from us.   I know Beth and Emily feel the same way. What makes them wonderful husbands and fathers is the very thing that makes them great firefighters. They have large, wonderful, beautiful hearts. My life has sometimes seemed like a roller coaster but I am truly blessed to be along for the ride."

For just a moment the set was quiet as all three wives wiped away the tears that had come. Even Lyla, who had never lost her composure on the air, seemed to be hesitating, thinking of how strong these women were. That thought brought her back to the next order of business.

"The audience may or may not know the status of your husbands. We wanted to let everyone know at the end of our interview. Let me give you the following updates. Mike Stoker is to be released today with a broken arm and minor burns. Captain Hank Stanley is also going home, cleared after being treated for smoke inhalation and burns. Roy DeSoto was scheduled to be released this next week. He was treated for smoke inhalation, a concussion, and had a compound leg fracture." Joanne looked at Emily and Beth, slightly confused by the verb Lyla used. What had happened that she wasn't aware of?
Lyla reached over and held her hand, smiling broadly. "The fact of the matter is all three men demanded to be here to do what you do for them every day. They wanted to support you." At that a dress-uniformed Mike and Hank, pushing a robe wrapped Roy sitting in a wheelchair, moved in behind the ladies. Roy handed Hank one of the bouquets he held.   Now all three had a bouquet. Roy and Mike looked at Hank waiting for him to start. All three wives were shocked to see their husbands standing there (or sitting there). The tears were flowing openly from the women.

Hank addressed Lyla. "Lyla. We want everyone to be aware of what we know already. These women give us the strength to go out everyday and do our jobs. A firefighter works odd hours, takes major risks, and doesn't make a whole lot of money. We miss a lot of school assemblies and can be called out during any emergency. We truly love doing what we do. Any firefighter out there can tell you of a man who was stopped from doing this job because of pressure from the home. These three women are representative of all the spouses in the department who not only support us in the good times but are rocks during the bad ones. ."

At that Hank moved to give Emily her bouquet. She reached up and grabbed him in a huge hug, crushing the flowers between them.

Mike turned to Beth. "Thank you for everything. Being there and loving me." Mike knelt down in front of Beth and handed her her bouquet. Her tears flowed as she kissed him and put her tear stained face into his shoulder.

Joanne moved over to Roy, not sure whether to take the flowers gracefully or grab them and beat him over the head with them for leaving the hospital too early. Roy looked at her for just a moment, knowing the decision she was probably contemplating and quietly commented, with a twinkle in his eye, "Jo, this is being broadcast nationally. The kids might see it." He relaxed seeing her own eyes begin to twinkle. "Joanne, I just want you to know. I thank my lucky stars every night that you said I do fifteen years ago. I don't know what I ever did to deserve you, but I promise to try to be there for you just as you are for me." With that, Joanne burst in tears and kissed Roy with a long lingering kiss that finally Hank broke up with a laugh.

Hank looked at Lyla. She nodded. Hank looked at all three ladies and, waving back to where they were hidden, called out the rest of the men. Chet, Marco, and Johnny came out with more flowers. They each handed a bouquet to one of the ladies and gave them a grateful hug. Johnny, who of course presented Joanne with his flowers, spoke for the three. "We want you to know that we can't always figure out why they deserve you either, but we are very grateful you are there for them and are always there for us. Someday, we each hope to find a wife like you. But in the meantime, we are thrilled to have sisters like you." Joanne reached out again, and being careful of his bruised ribs, gave him another hug and a kiss on the cheek with tears flowing still.

Lyla turned and spoke in the camera as the scene behind her became a hug and tear fest. "These people are only representative of the fire department. There are many more of them in the cities and counties where you live and work. Remember this when you see them on their way to a call. Say a prayer that their families will have their whole family together at the end of each day."

Editor's note: This is Tammy's first fan fiction. Please give her your feedback. Thanks.

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