tommy

Tommy
By SQ51 Storywriter

Johnny got out of his Land Rover. He could tell that he was the last one to arrive this morning. He looked at his watch. There were fifteen minutes before the start of his shift. A small boy rode up on his bike and said, "Hi Mister!"

"Hi there!" Johnny said, "You're out on your bike mighty early this morning aren't you?"

"Not really. It's Saturday, and there isn't any school today. Tuesday is the last day of school until next year.

"Saturday was my favorite day when I was a boy," Johnny said.

"Mine too. What's your name Mister?"

"My name is Johnny Gage, what's your name?"

"Tommy. I'm six years old. I'm in first grade. I just moved over there three weeks ago," Tommy said, as he pointed his finger across the road to a neighborhood in the distance.

"Aren't you a bit young to be riding your bike clear over here?" Johnny asked.

"I don't think so because I did it, didn't I?" Tommy said.

"That you did Tommy, but does your Mother know that you are here?"

"I live with my Grandmother. I don't have anyone else," Tommy said.

"She should know where you are Tommy. If you come back with her, maybe I'll give you both a tour of the fire station," Johnny said.

"Really, do you mean it?" Tommy asked excitedly.

"Yeah, sure I mean it," Johnny said.

"YIPPEE!" Tommy shouted. He turned around and rode his bike down the paved parking lot behind the station. Johnny walked toward the door. He put his hand on the handle to enter and Tommy rode up beside him. "Hey Mister, thanks," Tommy said. Johnny smiled and went inside.

Johnny realized that he should hurry because he now only had about 5 minutes to change into his uniform. He finally got changed and went into the kitchen. "Well, glad to see that you could join us today," Cap said with a grin.

"I've been here Cap," Johnny said, as he walked over to the stove and poured himself a cup of coffee. He sat beside Roy. Roy grinned.

Chet and Mike were outside raising the flags. After they finished and started to go back inside the building, they heard something and turned to look. It was Tommy. "Hi! What are you doing?" Tommy asked.

"We're putting the flags up like we do every morning," Chet said.

"What's your name?" Mike asked.

"My name is Tommy. Why do you do it?"

"Do what?" Chet asked.

"Why do you put those flags up there? They do it at school too."

"Well, because uh… just because we do, I guess. It's patriotic," Chet said.

"What's that mean?" Tommy asked.

"Well, it means that we are proud to live in this country and we are showing that by displaying the American flag," Mike said.

"And since we live in the state of California, we also fly the California flag," Chet added.

"Don't people know where they live?" Tommy asked.

"Sure they do Tommy," Chet said.

"Then why do you have to fly the California flag?"

"Don't you have some where you need to be?" Chet asked.

"Not really," Tommy said.

"We have to get back inside now Tommy. It was nice meeting you," Mike said. Chet and Mike started toward the door and heard a noise.

"OW!" Tommy shouted."

Mike and Chet went over to Tommy who had fallen off of his bike. "Are you all right?" Mike asked, as he saw the boy getting up from the sidewalk.

"Yeah, I think so," Tommy said. He stood up and Mike noticed that his elbow was skinned.

"Well, you come inside the station and we have a couple of fellows in there who'll take a look at that elbow for you," Mike said. He and Tommy went inside while Chet picked the bike up and wheeled it up to the front of the building and leaned it up against the wall. He noticed that the kickstand was broken.

Tommy was limping a bit as Mike took him up to Johnny and Roy.

"Hey, look who I found outside. His name is Tommy," Mike said. "He had a little accident on his bicycle.

"Well Tommy, we meet again," Johnny said, with a grin. "Have a seat here and let me take a look at you.   Do you hurt anywhere?"

"Well, only my leg and my elbow," Tommy replied.

"It doesn't look too bad," Johnny said, as he looked at Tommy's elbow.

"My leg hurts bad now," Tommy said.

Johnny raised the boy's pant leg and asked Tommy to point to where it was hurting. Tommy pointed to his ankle. "Right there!" Tommy exclaimed.

"I'll get some ice," Roy said. He pulled a chair up in front of Tommy and Johnny carefully put Tommy's foot in the chair to elevate it.

"I think we should splint it just to be safe," Johnny said, as he looked at the ankle.

"I agree," Roy said. "I'll get a splint from the squad, and call it in as a still alarm."

"Tommy, I think we need to call your Grandmother," Johnny said, as Roy brought the ice and splint out to Johnny. Johnny looked at Tommy's foot and it started to swell and was beginning to bruise. Roy cleaned Tommy's elbow and put a Band-Aid on it.

"Why do you have to call my Grandma?"

"I think that maybe you should have your ankle x-rayed," Johnny said.

"I don't know," Tommy said.

Johnny could see the look of concern on Tommy's face. "They will just take a picture of your ankle. It won't hurt."

"Really, you promise?" Tommy asked.

"I promise Tommy, now what is your phone number?" Johnny asked.

"I don't know it. I just moved here. I know my old phone number, but no one lives in that house now," Tommy said.

"Do you know your address?" Roy asked.

"Yeah, I know my address. I have my phone number written down on a piece of paper in my billfold. I got it in December for my birthday. My Grandma got it for me," Tommy said.

"Good, let me see it," Johnny said.

Tommy reached in his back pocket. "See, it's a nice one isn't it. It's like the big kids have, only mine is smaller."

"That's nice Tommy, but I need to see the phone number," Johnny said.

"My Grandma wrote it down for me," Tommy said, as he handed the folded piece of paper to Johnny.

"Here it is Roy," Johnny said. He handed the paper with Tommy's name, address, and phone number to Roy.

"I'll give her a call," Roy said.

"Is my Grandma coming here?" Tommy asked.

"I think she might," Johnny said.

"Good, then we can have a tour of the station like you said we could," Tommy said.

"I tell you what Tommy, I think that we should do the tour another time," Johnny said. He looked at Tommy's ankle and it looked unchanged.

Roy returned. "Your Grandma is on her way Tommy," Roy said, as he handed Tommy's piece of paper back to him.

"Was she mad?" Tommy asked, as he put the paper back into his billfold.

"No, she wasn't mad Tommy. She was concerned that you were hurt," Roy said.

"Oh, women, they are always worrying," Tommy said.

Roy and Johnny grinned. Tommy's Grandmother pulled into the drive. Roy went outside to show her where Tommy was. Roy came in with her and said, "Johnny, this is Mrs. Slymond, Tommy's Grandmother."

"Tommy!" Mrs. Slymond exclaimed. "Are you all right?"

"Don't worry Grandma, I'm fine," Tommy said.

Mrs. Slymond looked at Johnny and asked, "Is it broken?"

"We can't tell. He was limping. It needs to be x-rayed before we can be absolutely sure whether or not it's broken," Johnny said.

"Yes, right away. I'll take him right now," Mrs. Slymond said.

"We can call an ambulance for you," Roy said.

"No, no ambulance. I'll drive him myself," Mrs. Slymond insisted.

"Do you need someone to drive you?" Johnny asked.

"Oh no, we're fine. Thanks for all your help fellows," Mrs. Slymond said.

"We'll help you get Tommy's bike in the car," Roy said.

"I'll put the bike in the car for him," Mike said.

"They'll give us a tour too Grandma. Johnny said so."

"Sure we will, but not right now," Johnny said.

Johnny and Roy helped put Tommy into the car. Mrs. Slymond drove Tommy to Rampart.

"Nice kid," Johnny said.

Marco and Chet came into the room. "Is he all right?" Marco asked.

"I'm sure he is," Roy said.

"That's good," Chet said. "I think he hit your Land Rover with his bike."

"HE DID WHAT?" Johnny shouted.

Chet grinned and said, "You'd better check it out Johnny."

Johnny hurried out to his vehicle and didn't see any problems. "That Chet!" Johnny mumbled. He walked into the station and said, "Man Chet, what's the big idea telling me that he ran into my Land Rover!"

"You never know pal, just thought you'd better check it out is all."

"Chet, GROW UP!" Johnny shouted.

"What's the matter Johnny, can't take a little joke?" Chet asked.

"Oh Chet, SHUT UP!" Johnny said loudly.

The phone rang and Cap answered it. "GAGE, IT'S FOR YOU PAL!"

"Hello, this is Firefighter Gage speaking," Johnny said. "How is he doing Mrs. Slymond? It's not. That's great. I'm glad to hear that. Yes Ma'am I'm glad we could help. Sure you can visit anytime." Johnny placed the receiver in the cradle on the wall.

"Hey everyone, Tommy is going to be just fine. He should be off of his crutches in a couple of days. It's just a sprain," Johnny said.

"That's good," Roy said.

Part 2

A week later Tommy showed up at the station. Marco was outside and brought him in to see Johnny. "HI!" Tommy shouted. "I'm back."

"Hi there Tommy," Johnny said. "How's your ankle?"

"It's fine, I even rode my bike over here again," Tommy said.

"Can I see the fire truck?" Tommy asked.

"Sure you can," Johnny said. He picked Tommy up and sat him in the driver's seat.

"Is that my relief?" Mike asked with a grin.

"Maybe in a few years," Johnny said as he laughed.

"How do you start it?" Tommy asked.

"I hear a visitor," Cap said, as he walked up to the engine.

"Cap this is Tommy," Johnny said.

"Glad you could visit with us Tommy," Cap said. "Has anyone seen Chet?"

"He's outside Cap," Marco said.

Cap looked outside and saw Chet trying to ride Tommy's bike. "Chet you twit, get off of that bike and come in here."

Chet was getting off of the bike when the claxon went off. Johnny picked Tommy up off the seat of the engine's cab and put him down on the floor near the kitchen area door. "Tommy you need to get back out of the way and go home now,"

"Station 51 car on fire at Morrow's car lot. 2623 Wilfare Drive. Two Six Two Three Wilfare Drive. Cross street Angle Boulevard. Time out 10:17."

Johnny and Roy got into the squad and donned their helmets.

"Station 51, KMG 365," Cap said. He handed Roy the paper with the address on it and he grabbed his turnout coat and crossed in front of the engine and climbed into the passenger seat.

Everyone was seated into their places in the engine as they headed out of the garage. "It's only about three blocks from here," Johnny said.

They arrived at the scene.

Part 3

Mike and Cap got out of the engine.

"Get a reel line on that fire!" Cap said to Marco and Chet.

Johnny and Roy put their turnout coats on and saw Tommy. "TOMMY!" Johnny shouted. "How did you get here?"

"I…I…rode on the back of the fire truck. I held on tight," Tommy said. "It sure was windy."

"Tommy, that was so dangerous," Johnny said. "Are you o.k.?"

"Yeah, it was kind of fun," Tommy said.

"Well, don't ever do that again," Johnny said. "Cap we have a stow-a-way here. He rode on the back of the engine."

Cap came over and said, "That was a very dangerous thing you did son."

"I guess so," Tommy said, as he looked down at the ground.

"Tommy, I need your phone number," Cap said.

Tommy gave the paper that he kept in his billfold with the number on it to Captain Stanley. "Are you going to call my Grandmother?" Tommy asked.

"Yes I am Tommy. Gage, keep an eye on him," Cap said.

"Sure Cap," Johnny said.

"Can I see the fire up close?" Tommy asked.

"No, you are going to go sit in the squad Tommy," Johnny said. He put Tommy in the squad.

"My Grandmother is going to be mad," Tommy said.

"She's probably worried about you right now," Johnny said.

"I hope not," Tommy said. "I don't like her to worry because her pressure goes up."

Johnny smiled and said, "Yes, I bet it does."

Johnny walked over to Captain Stanley. "Cap what are we going to do with him?"

"I've called his Grandmother. She's on her way. She said that she would try to get a neighbor to drive her here because her car is in the shop. Give this paper back to Tommy."

"All right Cap," Johnny said.

Johnny walked over to Tommy and handed him the paper. "Your Grandmother is on her way Tommy," Johnny said.

"AH SHUCKS!" Tommy shouted. "I wanted to ride back in the fire truck."

"I don't think that's going to be possible," Johnny said, as he saw Tommy's Grandmother pulling into the lot with her neighbor, Harry Grey.

"TOMMY SLYMOND!" Mrs. Sylmond shouted. "DON'T YOU EVER DO THIS AGAIN YOUNG MAN!"

"Told you she'd be mad," Tommy said, as he looked at Johnny.

Cap came up to where Johnny was standing. "I'm Cap Stanley Ma'am. Tommy here had quite a dangerous ride," Cap said.

"Yes, I heard. He's quite a handful for me sometimes. I hope he wasn't too much trouble. I just don't know what gets into him sometimes. I'll be sure to talk to him about this when I get him home." She looked at Tommy. "I'm quite sorry," Mrs. Slymond said. "Come along now Tommy. Get in the car." Tommy waved as they left.

Johnny gave a slight grin. "What are you grinning at Pal?" Cap asked.

"Oh, he just reminds me of someone," Johnny said.

"Anyone I know?" Cap asked.

"Perhaps," Johnny said with a grin.

Johnny shook his head and walked off toward the squad so he and Roy could return to the station.

Part 3

Two days later Johnny and Roy were drinking coffee in the station. "I hope Tommy didn't get into too much trouble over that ride on the fire truck," Johnny said.

"Yeah, I know what you mean Johnny. But I know how much trouble Chris would be in if he had pulled a stunt like that," Roy said.

"It was dangerous. He was lucky he wasn't hurt," Johnny said.

Mike came in and said, "I found Tommy and his Grandmother outside."

"Mrs. Slymond, come on in and sit down," Johnny said, as he stood up and pulled a chair out for her.

"Thank you young man," Mrs. Slymond said.

"How are you doing Mrs. Slymond?" Roy asked.

"Oh, I'm doing all right. I have a few aches and pains occasionally," Mrs. Slymond said.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?" Marco asked.

"No thank you, I don't believe that I'd care for any," Mrs. Slymond said.

"You said that you'd give us a tour," Tommy said.

"You're right Tommy, I did," Johnny said.

Johnny gave Mrs. Slymond and Tommy a tour.

"This is great," Mrs. Slymond said. "I've never had a tour of a fire station before."

"I have Grandma, I even rode on the fire truck," Tommy said.

"And don't you ever do it again Tommy," Mrs. Slymond said sternly.

"But Grandma, I have to do it again. I'm going to be a fireman when I grow up and I can't walk to the fires," Tommy said.

Johnny laughed. "Tommy I think your Grandmother was referring to now."

"Oh I won't do it again now. It was fun, but kind of scary. I might even decide to drive the fire truck," Tommy said.

"I hope not for a while yet Tommy," Johnny said, as he looked at Mrs. Slymond with a grin.

"Thank you so much for showing us around the station. We really must be going now, " Mrs. Sylmond said.

"Oh it was my pleasure," Johnny said. He walked them to the door and said good bye.

The crew had a quiet evening and finally turned in hoping to get some sleep.

The claxon went off. "Squad 51, woman down 2997 Indiana. Two Nine Nine Seven Indiana, cross street Parker. Time out 6:18."

"KMG 365," Cap said. He handed the paper to Roy who gave it to Johnny. Roy drove out of the station to the address of the call.

Part 4

Roy and Johnny got out of the squad and got the equipment. They hurried inside. "HELP MY GRANDMA!" Tommy shouted.

"We will," Roy said.

"I called the fire department," Tommy said. "Grandma has the police and fire department numbers right by the phone.

"You did good Tommy," Johnny said.

Mrs. Slymond was sitting on the couch. "I told him to call you. My chest is hurting," Mrs. Slymond said.

"Why don't you lie down on the couch Mrs. Slymond," Johnny said, as he helped her to lie down. "How long has your chest been hurting?"

"Just a little while. It started after breakfast," Mrs. Slymond said.

Johnny took Mrs. Slymond's wrist and got her pulse and then put his hand on her chest to get her respiration rate. Roy took Mrs. Slymond's blood pressure.

"You're going to be all right now Grandma," Tommy said, as he patted her on the head.

"I know Tommy, I feel some better now. I'm sure it was just indigestion. I ate a large breakfast early this morning. I had a western omelet."

Johnny set the biophone up and contacted Rampart. He took his green pen and wrote down her pulse and respiration. "Rampart, this is squad 51, how do you read?"

Tommy walked over to Johnny. "I've never seen a phone like that," Tommy said.

"It's special Tommy. We can get the hospital on it," Johnny said.

"This is Rampart base, we read you loud and clear," Dr. Early said.

"Rampart, we have a female approximately 67 years of age complaining of chest pains. Vitals are as follows, pulse 94, respiration 24, BP is… He hesitated as he looked at Roy.

"148/92," Roy said.

"Rampart, BP is 148/92," Johnny said. "Patient states that she is feeling somewhat better now."

"Ten four 51. I'd like her to come in just as a precaution. Hook her up to a monitor and send me a strip," Dr. Early said.

"10-4Rampart," Johnny said.

"Mrs. Slymond, we're going to take you to Rampart and let them check you," Roy said, as he started connecting her to the EKG.

"No, I can't go. There isn't anyone to watch Tommy."

"What about your neighbor?" Roy asked.

"No, he works three days a week. Since he didn't work yesterday he'll be working today. There aren't any other neighbors that I know well enough to watch him. We haven't lived here long. No, I just can't go."

"Calm down, we'll figure something else out then," Roy said.

"Rampart, this will be lead two," Johnny said, as the ambulance pulled up outside.

"10-4 squad 51. Has the ambulance arrived yet?"

"Just arrived Rampart," Johnny said.

"EKG looks good. Continue to monitor vitals, and transport," Dr. Early said.

"10-4 Rampart," Johnny said, as he put his green pen back into his pocket.

"Does that pen write green?" Tommy asked.

"No Tommy it writes blue," Johnny said.

"My teacher has a red pen that writes red," Tommy said.

Johnny grinned. Tommy ran to open the door for the ambulance attendants.

"Roy, what are we going to do with Tommy?"

"Well, perhaps you can call Cap when we get to the hospital. He'll be able to ride up front in the ambulance to the hospital for now."

They gathered the gear and Roy rode with Mrs. Slymond and Johnny drove the squad to the hospital.

Part 5

Roy and Johnny took Mrs. Slymond into treatment room five. Tommy started to go into the room. Johnny grabbed him. "Whoa, don't think they need your help Tommy. What do you say, I'll get you a cup of hot chocolate or something."

"I guess so. Is my Grandma going to be all right?" Tommy asked.

"The doctors are going to look at her and make sure she is," Johnny said.

Roy came into the cafeteria. "How's my Grandma?" Tommy asked.

"Well, right now she's doing just fine Tommy, but Dr. Early wants to keep her here for awhile and watch her."

"What's going to happen to me?" Tommy asked.

Johnny looked at Roy. "Well Tommy, I get off work in a few minutes. How about if I introduce you to a real nice nurse and she'll take care of you and let you see your Grandmother. Then I'll pick you up in a little while. We'll go to breakfast."

"I've already had breakfast. I had a bowl of cereal and a little bit of an omelet," Tommy said.

"I haven't had anything to eat, so maybe you could drink a glass of milk or something," Johnny said.

"I guess that would be o.k.," Tommy said. Johnny took Tommy to meet Dixie. He explained the situation to her while Roy stopped to talk to Dwyer.

Finally Roy came up to the nurse's Desk. "Hi Dixie!" Roy said. "I need to get some supplies."

"Sure Roy, what do you need?" Dixie asked.

"I need some splints," Roy said.

"Help yourself Roy. I'll sign the paper after you get what you need," Dixie said.

"Thanks Dixie," Roy said.

Dr. Morton walked up to the nurse's desk and saw Tommy. "Weren't you just in here for a sprained ankle a few days ago?" Mike asked.

"Yes, that was me. You were my doctor," Tommy said.

"Don't tell me you're hurt again," Mike said.

"No, it's not me, it's my Grandma. She's not feeling good and I called the fire department," Tommy said.

"That was a smart thing to do," Mike said.

"My Grandma told me to do it," Tommy said.

"Dr. Early is with her in treatment five," Johnny said.

"Well Tommy, she's in good hands then, I have to be going now," Mike said.

"Bye Doc," Johnny and Roy said in unison.

"Yeah, see you later Johnny. You too Roy, " Mike said.

"Tommy let's go see your Grandmother," Dixie said. Johnny and Dixie took Tommy to see his Grandmother.

They entered the room. "GRANDMA!" Tommy shouted.

"Hi Tommy. Grandma is going to be just fine," Mrs. Slymond said.

"I was so worried Grandma," Tommy said.

"No need to worry now Tommy," Mrs. Slymond said.

"Mrs. Slymond, if you don't mind Dixie has volunteered to watch Tommy for a little while until I get off from work and then I'll be glad to take care of him for the day," Johnny said.

"How kind, but I couldn't impose on you like that."

"You aren't imposing on me, and besides what other choice do you have?" Johnny asked.

"That's true. I don't know how to thank you. Tommy you be a good boy now."

"Yes Grandma, I will." He leaned down and gave her a hug.

"Come on Tommy, you're Grandma needs her rest now," Dixie said.

"Bye Grandma!" Tommy said, as they left.

"Tommy, I'll be back as soon as I can," Johnny said.

Johnny and Roy returned to the station and Johnny drove back to Rampart and picked Tommy up and took him to breakfast.

Part 6

"This is fun. What else are we going to do today?" Tommy asked, as he sat with Johnny at the table in the restaurant drinking a glass of milk while Johnny ate breakfast.

"What did you want to do?" Johnny asked.

"I'd like to go to the amusement park, ride horses, go to the go-cart track, the zoo, the park, the swimming pool…" Tommy said, barely taking a breath.

"Hold on there," Johnny interrupted. "Tommy, it would take us a month to do all that. I was thinking that maybe you'd like to see a baseball game. The Dodgers are playing today," Johnny said.

"REALLY! A REAL BASEBALL GAME!" Tommy shouted excitedly.

"Sure, would you like to do that?" Johnny asked.

"I SURE WOULD!" Tommy exclaimed.

"We'll go by the hospital and see how your Grandma is and let her know about our plans first," Johnny said.

"I don't know if I can go then," Tommy said.

"Why not?" Johnny asked as he got up from the table to leave.

"Well, because she doesn't like baseball."

"We don't have to go if you'd rather not ask her…"

Tommy interrupted Johnny, "No, we can ask her."

"Good because someone gave me two tickets to the game today. I really want to see it," Johnny said.

They got into Johnny's Land Rover and Johnny drove to Rampart.

Part 7

Johnny and Tommy knocked on the door. "Come in," Mrs. Slymond said.

"HI GRANDMA! JOHNNY IS TAKING ME TO THE BALL GAME TODAY!" Tommy shouted.

"That is with your permission, ma'am," Johnny said. "I have two tickets."

"That's fine Tommy. You be a good boy now," Mrs. Slymond said.

"How are you feeling?" Johnny asked.

"Oh, I feel fine, but they want to keep me here a little longer. I'll be able to go home this evening if I'm doing as good as I am now."

"I'll bring Tommy by here after the game and check on you," Johnny said, as he smiled. "We'll go somewhere before the game for a while."

"Fine, I do appreciate you taking care of him," Mrs. Slymond said.

"BYE GRANDMA! LET'S GO JOHNNY!" Tommy shouted excitedly pulling at Johnny's arm.

"All right Tommy, I'm coming," Johnny said. "Good-bye Mrs. Slymond. I'll watch him closely."

"He's a hand full sometimes," Mrs. Slymond said.

They get into the Land Rover. "It's about three hours until the game Tommy. How about going to the zoo?" Johnny asked.

"YEAH!" Tommy shouted.

After a trip to the zoo the two headed toward the baseball park arriving in plenty of time to get seated.

Part 8

Johnny and Tommy talked for a while. Soon the players were announced and the game started. A young woman came and sat in the seat next to Johnny. She had dark shoulder length hair and brown eyes. Johnny glanced at her trying not to stare. He thought that she was very attractive. "HI!" Johnny said loudly. "My name is Johnny uh…John Gage, what's your name?"

"Welinda with a W," Welinda said.

"That's an unusual name," Johnny said.

"Did you come to the game alone?"

She looked at Johnny. "Apparently I did," Welinda said.

"So do you like baseball?" Johnny asked.

"Apparently I do," Welinda said.

"Well, since you are here alone and I'm here alone…" Johnny said.

Welinda looked at Johnny and then at Tommy and said, "Did you come to watch the game or talk?"

"I uh, I well, I…"

Tommy interrupted him as the crowd started cheering. "DID YOU SEE THAT HOME RUN?"

"Uh, no. I don't think that I did Tommy," Johnny said.

"It was really good," Tommy said.

Johnny sat watching the ball game and thinking about Welinda. He would occasionally glance at her.

"Do you want a hotdog Tommy?" Johnny asked near the end of the ball game.

"Sure," Tommy said.

Johnny got two hotdogs. He was taking them from the vendor when he heard someone yell, "LOOK OUT!" He turned in time to see Welinda being hit by a baseball on her wrist. It then bounced slightly off of her head, as she attempted to catch it.

Several people scrambled to get the baseball. "I GOT IT!" someone shouted.

Johnny asked the vendor for a cup of ice and put it onto Welinda's wrist. "I'm a paramedic with the Los Angeles County Fire Department," Johnny explained. He looked at her head.

"Oh, do you think my wrist is broken?" Welinda asked.

"Possibly," Johnny said. He saw a folded up newspaper lying at a man's feet. "Excuse me, may I have that newspaper? I can use it as a splint."

"Sure take it," he said.

"Thanks," Johnny said. He placed the newspaper around Welinda's wrist. He saw a scarf on the handle of Welinda's purse. He reached for it. "I'll use this scarf to tie the paper in place."

"Do you need another scarf young man?" A woman behind Johnny asked, as she handed it to him.

"Thanks Ma'am," Johnny said. He tied the second scarf around the newspaper.

"He'll fix you up good," Tommy said. "He's taking care of me while my Grandma is sick."

"Oh, he's not your…" Welinda stopped. "I thought he was your… Oh never mind. My wrist is really hurting me and I'm starting to get a headache."

"You need to go to the hospital and have them x-ray your wrist and have them look at your head," Johnny said.

"It'll be o.k. lady. X-rays don't hurt. It's just a picture. I had a picture taken of my ankle and it didn't hurt at all. Isn't that right Johnny?" Tommy asked.

"Yes, that's right Tommy," Johnny said.

Soon some people from the stadium came to see about Welinda. "I'm Mr. Hobart. We need some information from you. We need your name, address, and phone number. We also need to know exactly what happened. We called the Fire Department. They are on their way. We'll pay for all your medical expenses."

"My name is Welinda with a W, Morewall. I didn't see the ball coming until it was too late. I tried to catch it, but it hit me on my wrist and bounced and hit my head. My boyfriend dumped me last night. He likes baseball. These are our seats. We have season tickets. I was hoping he'd be here today. Guess it's over between us now. Do I really have to go to the hospital and have my wrist x-rayed?"

"It would be best," Mr. Hobart said.

"You really do need to go Welinda," Johnny said.

"All right. Would you come with me?" Welinda asked Johnny.

"I guess I can," Johnny said.

"Do we have to leave? Can't we stay?" Tommy asked.

Johnny looked at Tommy and then at Welinda. "Please!" Welinda said.

Johnny sat there thinking. "How do I get into these situations." He turned to Welinda and said, "I'll follow the ambulance in my Land Rover."

"Thank you so much," Welinda said, as the fire department squad and ambulance people arrived.

It was Dwyer and Bellingham. "What happened Gage?" Dwyer asked.

"She was hit with a baseball. She said that she's getting a headache. Possible broken left wrist," Johnny said.

Dwyer got her vitals and Bellingham called it in to Rampart. They applied a splint from the splint box around the makeshift newspaper splint. The ambulance attendants brought the stretcher to her.

"Oh I can walk," Welinda said. "It's my wrist that hurts, not my legs."

"It would be best if you didn't since the ball hit you in the head, " Johnny said. "You could get dizzy walking."

They put her onto the stretcher and carried her out to the ambulance.

"I'm sorry Tommy, I feel that I really need to go with her to the hospital. Are you disappointed?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah, kind of. Girls are always causing trouble. But at least I got to see a home run," Tommy said.

Johnny and Tommy got to the hospital a little after the ambulance.

Part 9

Johnny took Tommy in to see his Grandmother. He explained what happened. "Tommy, I'd like to take you to a baseball game next time I'm off and the Dodgers are in town, if it's all right with your Grandmother," Johnny said.

"IS IT GRANDMA?" Tommy asked excitedly.

"Sure it is Tommy," Mrs. Slymond said.

"I SAW A HOME RUN!" Tommy said loudly to his Grandmother as Johnny left her room.

Johnny went to check on Welinda. He met Dr. Brackett in the hallway outside of the treatment room. "We're taking her to x-ray Johnny," Dr. Brackett said.

"I'll just wait over here then Doc," Johnny said. He walked to the waiting room and sat down.

A man in a suit walked up to the nurse's desk in the Emergency Room and asked Dixie where he could find Welinda Morewall.

"She's in x-ray, but that gentleman over there is waiting for her," Dixie said, as she pointed to Johnny.

He walked over to Johnny. "Hi, I'm Mr. Grover. I'm with the publicity department of the Dodger's ball team and I'd like for Ms. Morewall to have this baseball and two tickets to the next game. All the members of the Dodger's Baseball team signed the baseball for her. It's a homerun ball. Will you see that she gets it?"

"I sure will. I'm sure she'll appreciate it," Johnny said.

He looked at all the signatures on the baseball. Soon Welinda came back from x-ray. Johnny stepped into the treatment room to see her.

"It's broken and luckily my head is just bruised a bit," Welinda said.

Johnny handed her the baseball and the tickets. "Look what came for you," Johnny said.

"How nice," Welinda said. "Could you give the ball to the boy who was sitting next to you please. And I insist you use the tickets to take him to another game."

"Tommy?" Johnny asked.

"Yes, it was because of me that he had to miss the very end of the baseball game and I'd like for him to have this baseball," Welinda said as she handed Johnny the baseball and the tickets.

"Thanks, that's real nice of you to do that for him," Johnny said. "I'll be glad to give it to him and take him to another game. Would you like to…maybe sometime we could uh…what are you doing next uh…what I'm trying to ask you…"

Welinda interrupted Johnny. "Of course I'll go out with you Johnny."

"You will?" Johnny asked.

"Don't look so surprised," Welinda said.

Dr. Brackett came into Welinda's room. "We need to get you to the cast room now," Kel said.

"How about dinner?" Johnny asked.

"No thanks Johnny, I have plans," Kel said with a grin.

"Not you Doc," Johnny said.

"That's fine. When?" Welinda asked.

"Next Friday night. I'll pick you up around 7:00 p.m. I'm taking you to a fancy restaurant."

"That sounds great, but not too fancy," Welinda said.

"Oh, I already have a place in mind. You'll really enjoy it," Johnny said.

Johnny opened the door and ran into the door casing as he turned around to say Good-bye. He went to Mrs. Slymond's room and knocked. "Come in," she said.

Johnny entered and saw Dr. Early.

"Hi Doc," Johnny said.

"Hi Johnny. Tommy was filling me in on all the details of the game. How's Miss Morewell?"

"I just left her in treatment four. She's going to the cast room."

"I'll get someone to get you a wheelchair Mrs. Slymond," Joe said. He patted Tommy on his head on his way out the door.

Johnny handed Tommy the baseball. "WOW!" Tommy exclaimed.

"Miss Morewall got that she wanted you to have it since she felt it was her fault that you missed the end of the game."

"FOR ME!" Tommy shouted. "Wait until the kids at school see this."

"You have been so nice to us Johnny," Mrs. Slymond said. My neighbor is on his way down here to pick us up since they are letting me go home."

"That's good Mrs. Slymond," Johnny said.

"You could do me one more favor, and please don't say no," Mrs. Slymond said.

"What's that?" Johnny asked.

"Well, I'm having a BBQ at my house to get to know my neighbors. It's about time that I do that. Please say that you'll come."

"Sure I'll come if I'm not working," Johnny said. "When is it?"

"It's Friday night at 7:00 p.m. I talked to my neighbor on the phone while you and Tommy were at the ball game. Harry is getting it all set up for me."

"You can come can't you?" Mrs. Slymond asked.

"Sure he can, can't you Johnny?" Tommy asked. "Please?"

Johnny looked at Tommy and Mrs. Slymond. "Sure I can come," Johnny said.

Harry Grey knocked and came into the room. "Are you ready Hilda?"

"Yes, I am. Thanks again for everything Johnny. Don't forget now, 7:00 Friday night."

"Oh I won't forget," Johnny said.

Everyone waved good-bye to Johnny.

"Man, now what am I going to tell Welinda," Johnny said to himself.

He walked down to the treatment room four where Welinda was awhile ago. She was not back from the cast room yet.

Johnny practiced to himself what he was going to say. "Uh Welinda, something has come up…no, that's not good. How do you feel about BBQ's? No that's not so good either. Welinda, you see it's like this… No, that doesn't sound right either. Finally Welinda returned to the treatment room. She had a cast on her wrist.

"I'll get the discharge papers ready," Kel said, as he left.

"Did Tommy like the baseball?" Welinda asked.

"He sure did," Johnny said.

"Can you take me to get my car? It's at the ballpark," Welinda said.

"Sure I can, but first there's something I need to tell you," Johnny said.

"I'm so excited about going to that restaurant Friday night. I can't wait," Welinda said.

"Well I'm afraid you may have to wait," Johnny said softly under his breath.

"Did you say something?" Welinda asked.

"Well, sort of, I guess," Johnny said.

"About Friday night," Johnny said.

"YOU AREN'T GOING TO BACK OUT ON OUR DATE ARE YOU?" Welinda shouted.

"No, I'm not backing out on our date," Johnny said.

"Good, because I have the perfect dress to wear. It's brand new and I've been dying to wear it. This will be the perfect occasion."

"About that, uh…" Johnny said.

Welinda interrupted him. "You're not like Tony, my ex-boyfriend. He use to tell me that he'd go somewhere with me and then change his mind or just not show up. You're not like that, I can tell," Welinda said.

"Uh, no, I'm not like that at all. Uh, speaking of BBQ's, I know of a great BBQ that uh…" Johnny said.

"I don't really like BBQ's," Welinda said interrupting Johnny. "They are so boring, don't you think?"

"Well, actually, well…yeah, now that you mention it they could be, but this BBQ that I'm talking about…"

"Who was talking about BBQ's?" Welinda asked. "Can't we talk about something else?"

"I guess we can as long as we go to the BBQ on Friday night," Johnny said.

"A BBQ Friday night, I should have known. All that talk about a fancy restaurant, that's all it was, just talk. I'm not going to a BBQ," Welinda said.

"No really, it was just that when I took Tommy his baseball…" Johnny said.

"Don't try to explain it, I don't want to hear it," Welinda said, interrupting Johnny.

The door opened. Joe came in with Tommy at his side. "Doctor Early told me where you were Johnny. My Grandma told me to come and thank Miss Morewell for the baseball," Tommy said.

"You didn't have to come all the way in here to do that Tommy," Welinda said.

Tommy looked at Welinda. There's something else. "Grandma wants you to come to the BBQ she's having," Tommy said.

"When is it?" Welinda asked.

"Friday night at 7:00," Tommy said.

"Friday night at 7:00?" Welinda asked.

"Can you come?" Tommy asked. "Johnny is coming. We'll have fun, please come."

Welinda looked at the floor and then looked at Tommy.

"Sure I can come. Tell your Grandmother that I'd like that very much," Welinda said.

"I WILL, AND THANKS FOR THE BASEBALL!" Tommy shouted as he ran from the room.

Welinda looked at Johnny. "Is that the BBQ, that you were talking about?"

"Yes, it is. I couldn't say no," Johnny said.

"Now I understand. I'm so embarrassed. I'm sorry that I didn't give you a chance to explain Johnny," Welinda said.

"That's all right," Johnny said.

Kel came back with the papers. "Let's go get your car. Is there someone who can drive it home for you?" Johnny asked.

"Yes, I called my friend Jan. She'll be waiting for us. I'll give you directions to her apartment."

"Thanks Dr. Brackett," Welinda said.

"Bye Welinda, take care of that wrist now," Dr. Brackett said. "Bye Johnny."

"Bye Doc," Johnny said.

"Bye, I'll take care of it, I promise," Welinda said.

Part 10

Johnny and Welinda picked Jan up and they went to the ballpark. Jan got into Welinda's car and drove it to her apartment. He and Jan went in with Welinda and Johnny asked her if she needed anything.

"No thanks Johnny. Thanks Jan for driving my car home for me."

"Any time. That's what friends are for Welinda," Jan said.

"I'll take Jan back to her apartment. I guess I'll pick you up around 6:30 Friday then?" Johnny asked.

"That would be fine Johnny. I'm looking forward to it. Bye now."

"Bye Welinda, I'll see you Friday night," Johnny said.

Part 11

Johnny picked Welinda up for the BBQ. "Hi Johnny," Welinda said.

"Hi, are you ready to go?" Johnny asked.

"Yes I am," Welinda said. "I won't know anyone except for Tommy and you."

"I know Tommy, his Grandmother, and Mr. Grey. The rest of guys on my shift were invited to come, but Roy and Chet are both working for someone on C shift tonight and the others had previous plans," Johnny said.

"I'd like to meet the guys you work with sometime Johnny," Welinda said.

"Sure, you can come to the station anytime. I'll introduce you. They are a great bunch of guys."

Johnny and Welinda were the second ones to arrive. Tommy ran towards them. "HI!" Tommy shouted. "Come back here in the yard. Mr. Grey is cooking hamburgers and hot dogs. Which do you want?"

"I'll have a hamburger," Welinda said.

"That sounds good to me too Tommy," Johnny said.

"Good I'll tell Grandma. She's counting how many to make."

"I'll go inside and see if I can help her," Welinda said. "I'll tell her for you."

"I'll keep Mr. Grey company until more people arrive," Johnny said. Welinda walked inside the house.

"Need some help?" Johnny asked, as he walked up to Mr. Grey. Tommy followed him.

"I've been helping him," Tommy said. Tommy stuck his finger in a hole on the grill.

"He's a big help," Mr. Grey said.

"It's stuck," Tommy said.

"What's stuck?" Johnny asked.

"My finger. I can't get it out."

"You sure are going to look funny dragging this grill to school on your finger next year," Mr. Grey said, as he laughed.

Johnny looked at it and turned it, but it was really stuck tight. "I'll go inside and get some dishwashing soap." He brought it out and put it around Tommy's finger and turned it and it came out of the hole. Johnny looked at Tommy's finger. "It looks just fine Tommy."

"Don't tell Grandma because she'll just worry," Tommy said.

Johnny smiled and said, "Just don't do it again Tommy. I'll take the soap back inside."

"I'm having trouble lighting the grill," Harry said.

"Johnny, can you come in and help me move a table outside?" Welinda asked, while standing at the back door.

"Be right there Welinda," Johnny said.

"I'm coming to help too," Tommy said, as he ran past Johnny into the house.

"I'll take a look at the grill when I come back," Johnny said.

"Hopefully, I'll figure it out before you get back, or we may have to have an indoor cookout," Harry said.

Johnny shook his head and grinned as he walked inside the house.

"I believe that this table can be moved outside without much trouble," Mrs. Slymond said. "I'll find a table cloth to put on it."

The doorbell rang. "I'll get it," Tommy said. He opened the door and said, "Hi."

"Hello, I'm Paul Smothers and this is my wife Carolyn. We live across the street."

"I'm Tommy. We're having a BBQ."

"I know you are. We were invited," Paul said.

"I have some potato salad that I brought," Carolyn said.

"Bring it in here," Tommy said, as he showed them to the kitchen.

Just then there was a loud sound like an explosion.

Johnny ran toward the sound and saw that the grill fire had flared up and caused an explosion. Mr. Grey was lying on the ground.

"CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AN AMBULANCE!" Johnny shouted.

Mrs. Slymond called.

"What happened?" Harry asked as he tried to sit up.

"Just lie still, the fire flared up and knocked you down," Johnny said.

"I was about to come inside and I turned around and then I heard the explosion. My arm is hurting. It's a little hard to breathe," Harry said with a raspy voice.

"Just lie still and try not to talk. The fire department is on the way," Johnny said, as he checked him for other injuries and got his pulse and respiration.

People in the neighborhood started showing up and crowding around. Mrs. Slymond apologized to the neighbors for not being able to have the BBQ. "Please stand back," Johnny said. "Paul, can you maybe keep these people back out of the way?" Johnny asked.

"I WILL!" Tommy shouted.

"We'll do it together Tommy," Paul said.

Station 51 C shift arrived within a few minutes. Pete and Roy came around the corner.

Chet and another fireman put the fire out quickly. Welinda came out to stand by Chet.

"Did you get vitals?" Roy asked.

"I got his pulse and respiration," Johnny said, as he put the oxygen on Harry. "This will help you to breathe a bit easier. I examined him Roy. No apparent injuries other than the burns."

Pete set up the biophone. Roy opened some bags of saline while Johnny put a sterile sheet over him. Roy began pouring the saline over Harry's right arm and neck. Pete got Harry's blood pressure and Johnny told him what the pulse and respiration were. Pete relayed the information to Rampart. The ambulance attendants brought the stretcher into the backyard.

"Roy, Rampart said to start IV Ringer's TKO, transport, and continue to monitor vitals," Pete said.

Roy started the IV in Harry's left arm. Johnny and Roy got Harry onto the stretcher and everyone left except for the crew of Engine 51.

Johnny looked around for Welinda. "Tommy, have you seen Welinda?" Johnny asked.

"She's with that fireman who put the fire out," Tommy said. "He was there at the station when I visited you."

Johnny looked and saw Welinda talking to Chet near the engine. He started to walk over to them and Mrs. Slymond said, "Well, I got to know all the neighbors, but this sure isn't the way that I wanted to do it. I do hope that Harry will be o.k."

"Well, I think he will be just fine Mrs. Slymond. He had some first and second degree burns on the side of his neck and on his right arm, but he was lucky that he wasn't standing any closer to the fire when it exploded," Johnny said.

"Would you drive me to the hospital to see him?" Mrs. Slymond asked. "I'm just so upset that I don't think that I can drive."

"Uh, I guess I can, but I have to see Welinda first," Johnny said.

"I'll go get her," Tommy said.

"That's o.k. Tommy, I'll go talk to her," Johnny said. Tommy walked away.

Johnny walked up to Chet and Welinda. "Welinda, Mrs. Slymond wants me to take her to Rampart to see Harry."

"Go ahead Johnny. Chet was just telling me about some of the fires he's fought. Isn't he the bravest," Welinda said. "Chet is going to take me to a fancy restaurant tomorrow night."

Johnny glared at Chet. "Let's get back to the station fellows," Cap said. He went behind the engine. "Hey son, get down off there," Cap said, as he took Tommy off the back.

"I've ridden on there before," Tommy said.

"Well, you aren't riding on there now," Cap said.

"Bye Welinda, I'll see you tomorrow night," Chet said, as he climbed into the Engine.

"Johnny would you drop me off at my apartment on your way to the hospital?" Welinda asked.

"Don't you want to go somewhere after I take Mrs. Slymond to Rampart?"

"I don't think so Johnny. You'll have to go pick her up later and there won't be anytime to go anywhere," Welinda said.

"Yeah, guess that's true. Can I ask you one question?" Johnny asked.

"I guess so," Welinda said.

Tommy was standing behind Johnny.

"Well, I just wanted to know why, uh, I mean what happened that you, uh…"

"Why were you talking to that fireman?" Tommy asked Welinda, as he interrupted Johnny.

Johnny glanced at Tommy and then looked at Welinda anticipating her answer.

"Well, I guess because he seems nice and I really like moustaches," Welinda said. "He did ask me to go to a nice restaurant. We're going to a baseball game next week too. I'll go in and get my purse and we can go." Welinda went inside the house.

"Gee, I wish I could go to the game next week," Tommy said.

"Well, I guess I can take you Tommy since it looks like I won't have any plans for then. It doesn't look like Welinda wants to go with me," Johnny said.

"I don't understand girls at all. Why doesn't she want to go with you? That guy she was talking to acts kind of goofy," Tommy said. "I told you that girls are always causing problems."

"Tommy, I think that you may have something there. Girls do seem to always cause me problems," Johnny said.

"Yeah, me too," Tommy said.

"Wonder how I'd look with a moustache?" Johnny asked.

"Goofy," Tommy said.

Johnny laughed and said, "You're probably right Tommy. Let's go take Welinda home and your Grandmother to the hospital to see Mr. Grey."

The End!

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