Answer to Challenge #3
"A Day to Remember"
Written by
Nan M.
Author's Note: Thank you's to E!U for posting my first story and for all your help! Hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Johnny slowly opened his eyes. Or, at least he thought he had opened them, but he couldn’t see anything. He had no idea where he was or how long he had been there. Maybe if I close my eyes again for just a minute....
His eyes closed, but it was almost an hour before they opened again. As he struggled to regain consciousness, he began to feel the mind-numbing pain that threatened to explode in his side. What the hell happened? It was impossible for him to concentrate on the answer. The effort it took just to think was overwhelming, and the blinding pain that flashed across his forehead left him exhausted. Blackness enveloped him again.
**********************************
It was going to be a beautiful day in Southern California.
It was late March, and while much of the rest of the country still lay shivering under a blanket of late winter snow, Southern Californians were being given a gentle reminder of why they chose to live here -- in spite of the crowds and traffic, in spite of the high prices and air pollution -- they put up with it all because of days like today.
A mild Santa Ana condition pushed the daytime temperatures into the 80s and cleared the skies of clouds and smog. The startling white of the snow-covered mountains stood in contrast to the deep blue hue of the skies. Palm trees swayed in the gentle breeze as the sun rose brightly in the early morning hours.
It was the kind of day that made even the most dedicated person want to play hooky. Only in Los Angeles could you be faced with a multitude of choices of how to spend a day like this -- a short drive to the mountains for a day playing in the snow under the warm sun... or a short drive to the beach for a day playing in the warm sand beside the Pacific Ocean. Or a horseback ride through Griffith Park, or a hike in the wooded canyons of the foothills surrounding the city.
It was going to be a day to remember.
*****************************************
The members of A-shift gathered for morning roll call. Captain Stanley congratulated them all on making it to work -- and on time -- knowing all too well how tempted even he had been to stay home and enjoy the gorgeous weather with his family.
“I’m sure you all heard about the brush fire that’s been burning near the Ventura County line.” Everyone looked at him expectantly, waiting to see if they would be responding. The look was not lost on the Captain. “Sorry, guys, but headquarters doesn’t expect to send us up there. We need to cover some of the stations that were called out to assist with the fire, so we can expect some runs out of our area today.”
After duty assignments for the day were handed out, everyone headed for the kitchen for some coffee.
“So, Johnny, what did you do on your days off?” Roy inquired as he poured two cups and handed one over to his partner.
“I pulled an overtime shift on the engine crew Friday over at 8’s. One of the guys came down with the flu, so I filled in for him. It was a quiet shift, nothing much happened.” Johnny smiled as he recalled his unexpected reward for working that day.
“Since Jeff was still sick yesterday, he gave me his tickets to the Eagles concert last night. Man, it was great!” Looking up, he saw Roy giving him a blank look.
“Geez, Roy, are you sure you’re only two years older than I am?” John was amazed at how out-of-touch Roy could be sometimes. “And you say I have no contact with reality..., I think maybe you’re the one who’s living in another universe.”
Stoker was sitting at the table and overheard John mention the Eagles concert. “Hey, I just bought their latest album. It’s got some really great songs on it.”
“See, Roy, even the ‘quiet one’ here keeps in touch with what’s going on.” Johnny and Mike started discussing which songs they liked best, as John filled him in about the live performance.
Roy sighed heavily, knowing that just by giving Johnny that one look, he had given his partner his topic for the day. “When am I ever going to learn?” he whispered to himself, then got up to go inventory supplies. Johnny had a puzzled look on his face as he watched Roy exit the room.
*********************************************
The early morning hours passed quickly and quietly -- neither the squad nor the engine had been called out. Roy had managed to avoid Johnny while they completed their chores, and thus any discussions about his not being ‘cool.’ He couldn’t avoid him all day, though, so Roy decided he’d just have to suffer through whatever Johnny had to say and get it over with.
“Hey, Johnny, if you’re done, how about we head over to Rampart for some supplies?”
“Sure, I’ll let the Cap know we’re going, and be right with you, Roy.”
John was uncharacteristically quiet on the ride to Rampart. Roy kept glancing over at Johnny to see if he was about to say anything, but instead John just stared out the passenger side window and tapped his fingers on the door frame, as if in time to some tune playing in his head.
Just as they pulled into the hospital parking lot, Johnny softly asked “Roy, we’re friends, aren’t we?”
That was not what I was expecting. Where did that come from? “I guess you could say that, Johnny.” Roy laughed, but then glanced at his partner to see if he was really being serious.
“Sometimes I wonder why.” Johnny’s tone wasn’t as sarcastic as the comment sounded, actually it sounded a little melancholy.
Roy turned to look at John with a surprised look on his face.
“No, Roy, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I just mean that we don’t have very much in common outside of work. If you stop to think about it, we’re pretty much opposites in every way. You know, what reasons do we have to be friends?”
Roy really didn’t understand what this was all about. “So, what is it you’re trying to say?” Roy asked, quietly wishing they would change the subject. “That we shouldn’t be friends? That’s a little crazy, even for you.”
Johnny sighed. “Never mind, Roy, I’m not sure I even know myself.” With that, they climbed out of the squad and went in through the emergency room doors.
As they walked down the hall, Roy spotted Dr. Brackett. “Johnny, why don’t you go get the supplies. I need to talk to Brackett for a minute, then I’ll join you.”
Johnny walked up to the desk and smiled. “Hey, Dix, how are you today?”
“Well, Johnny, it’s such a beautiful day, it’s hard not to be in a great mood, even if I am working. At least you guys get to ride around outside and take in the sunshine.”
Johnny handed her the list Roy had made out. While Dixie got the supplies out of the cabinet, John leaned back against the wall and was soon lost in thought.
“...with your partner today?” Johnny realized Roy had come up to the desk and he and Dixie were talking about him. “If I didn’t know him so well, I’d almost think he was deep in thought,” said Roy lightly. Dixie could have sworn she saw Johnny flinch at the remark.
John frowned at him. “Thanks a lot, pal. I’ll just go put the supplies away.” With that, John started down the hallway toward the door.
“Roy, if I didn’t know you so well, I’d think that was kind of a mean thing for you to say.” Dixie swatted his arm lightly.
“Oh, Johnny knows I’m just teasing,” replied Roy. “He's trying to figure out what makes us friends since he doesn’t think we have much in common.... It all started just because I don’t know who some crazy rock and roll band is.”
"Well, you are kind of an odd couple," Dixie joked as she watched John disappear down the hallway. “But, I’m not so sure he thought you were teasing.”
Roy thought about it for a second and decided maybe they were going to have to talk about this when they got back to the station. Johnny couldn’t possibly believe that they were anything but the best of friends. After all, Johnny was always at his house for dinner, or helping Roy with different chores, or doing things with the kids. They didn’t talk about their friendship much, and Roy just assumed that Johnny knew how special he was to him and his family.
Just then the tones sounded on his handi-talkie.
Squad 51, stand by for response....
After acknowledging LA dispatch, Roy started off toward the squad. “This run is a bit out of our area, so don’t expect to hear from us for a while, Dix. But it sounds like we may be back in a few hours....”
**********************************
As they slowly wound their way along the fire road, someone ran out into their path, frantically waving them down. As Roy pulled over to the side of the road, a boy who looked about 16 came up to the squad and started to plead with them to hurry and help his friends.
Johnny climbed out of the squad and tried to calm him down so they could understand what was wrong. “It’s okay, we’re here to help, but you’ve got to slow down and tell us what happened.” As the boy took a deep breath, John put his arm on his shoulder. “Okay, first tell me your name while I look at that cut on your forehead.”
“My name is Steve, and the cut doesn’t hurt," said the agitated boy. "My friends need help! We’ve been hiking today and were just taking a break over there.... We were standing at the edge of the ravine looking at the view, when the ground just crumbled out from underneath us. My friends fell down and I just barely managed to get back up onto solid ground.” He drew another deep, shaky breath before continuing. “Some guy on a motorcycle drove by a while ago and offered to go call for help. I thought maybe he forgot, it took so long for you to get here.”
By this time, Roy had come around the squad and after verifying with Johnny that the cut was superficial, asked Steve where his friends had fallen. It was only thirty yards from where they were stopped. Johnny handed Roy the safety-line then put on a belt. As soon as the line was secured, Johnny carefully made his way to the spot where the ground had given way just a short time ago. He saw two figures lying about 75 yards down the ravine. Neither one was moving.
“Okay, Steve, do you know if either of them were conscious after they fell?” Steve nodded at Roy, and said that Sarah had yelled up to him that she thought she had broken her leg and that the other one, Greg, was unconscious and bleeding from a cut on his head. But when he had returned after talking to the man on the motorcycle, Sarah hadn't answered him again. Steve thought it had been almost an hour since they had fallen.
Roy picked up the microphone and said, “Engine 51, Squad 51. We are at scene about 1 half-mile up the fire road. We have two injured hikers about 75 yards down a ravine. What is your ETA?”
“Squad 51, Engine 51. ETA is about 5 minutes” came Captain Stanley’s response to Roy, then “LA, Engine 51... we have two injured hikers, respond another engine to our location.”
Johnny unhooked himself from the safety line and grabbed the medical backpack and stuffed two c-collars into it. “Roy, I'll go on down and see what we've got. I'll radio on up to you the vitals so we can relay to Rampart. From what I could see, I think it'd be best to wait to establish IVs until we get them topside."
Roy concurred with Johnny's assessment and in no time, Johnny was on his way down. The engine rolled up just as he reached the first victim. After a quick head-to-toe of Sarah and applying a c-collar, he went over to Greg, who was about 10 feet further down and checked him out.
John keyed the HT, “Roy, they’re both unconscious and both appear to have head injuries as well as some broken bones. Be sure to load up some cardboard splints in the stokes." Chet and Marco helped put the equipment with the collapsable stretcher in the stokes and followed Roy down the ravine.
It took about 25 minutes to get both victims splinted and back up the ravine with the help of the engine crews. In the meantime, Captain Stanley had requested a copter to transport them to Rampart -- the injuries were too serious for a long ambulance ride. Copter 10 was cleared from the brushfire for the medical emergency and dispatched to the scene.
One thing in their favor was that both of the injured hikers were 18, so they could be treated without waiting for parental consent. Vince had arrived during the rescue, and took Steve back to the city to call his friends’ parents and arrange to have them meet at Rampart.
Roy was finishing up his transmission to Dr. Brackett. “Rampart, we are loading the victims into the helicopter now. That’s a 10-4 on the second IV for victim 1. Will start IV as soon as we take off. ETA at Rampart should be about 15 to 20 minutes.”
“10-4 Squad 51. We’ll be standing by.” Dr. Brackett turned to Dixie and asked her to page Dr. Early to help out when they arrived. “Will do, and then I’ll go set up in rooms 2 and 4 and we’ll be ready as soon as they come through the doors.”
“Dix, I’ll be in my office. Let me know as soon as the chopper arrives.”
**********************************
Roy patiently waited while Marco loaded his end of the second victim’s stokes. He could see that Johnny was already setting up the second IV for the first patient. Roy handed the bio-phone to the observer and leaned in.
“See you at Rampart,” yelled Roy so he could be heard over the copter engine and rotors. Johnny, with IV bag in his mouth, didn’t even look up, but did nod his head in affirmation. Roy took a step back, reached for the door handle and slid it shut.
Roy waved at the pilot to go ahead and lift off, and swiftly moved out of the way of the helicopter but not the small dust storm it created. Man, this happens almost every time, he thought to himself as he tried to rub the grit from his eyes. It wasn’t helping. Damn. He approached Stanley.
“You okay, Roy?” looking at Roy’s heavily tearing, bloodshot eyes.
“Yeah, rotor wash got me, again,” replied Roy disgustedly, still shielding his eyes. “Can you give me a hand? I want to irrigate before I fall into the ravine.”
“Sure thing, Pal,” Stanley reached over to loosely clasp a hand on Roy’s shoulder and began to lead him back to the squad.
Every head of every firefighter jerked up to look at the departing helicopter, already one ridge over when they heard what sounded like a rifle shot echo through the canyon.
“Copter 10. Experiencing malfunction. Am going down,” came the calm but urgent message from the pilot over all the firefighters radios. A burst of static, then, there was dead silence.
The tones started sounding over the radios as Stanley pulled out his HT from his pocket.
“Jesus,” said Stanley. He keyed the HT and said, “LA, this is Engine 51. Copter 10 has gone down near our location at Tonner Canyon, estimate 15 minutes to crash site.
“10-4, 51. All units responding to Copter 10 emergency. Location is Tonner Canyon. Repeat, Tonner Canyon.”
Roy, instantly turning pale when the pilot first voiced his emergency, mutely followed the path of the chopper in its fatal downward spiral. Then, it was gone beyond the ridge.
“Johnny.”
**********************************
Things on board the helicopter were in a state of controlled panic -- it spun in circles and started to descend -- the drive shaft had cracked, causing the loss of the tail rotor. The pilot had limited control over speed and descent, but there was no way he was going to be able to land safely. He quickly radioed his emergency transmission.
Something was obviously, seriously wrong, and Johnny’s first thought was to make sure the two stokes were secured as tightly as possible so they didn’t get thrown around if they crashed, then to get himself strapped in.
Time ran out.
The helicopter started to disintegrate as it slammed into the side of the canyon. Birds flew from the trees, squirrels and rabbits scattered, trying to escape the smoke and debris. Five minutes later, the hillside was silent again, as though nothing had happened to disturb the peace of the beautiful day.
**********************************
The voice of the dispatcher came over the radios again, “all units responding to Copter 10 emergency, meet at the Loma Linda Campground off Tonner Canyon Road. A command post is being set up to organize the search and rescue effort.”
After driving up and down the canyon roads, trying in vain to spot the fallen helicopter, the squad and the engine headed for the campground. As they pulled in, they saw that McConnike had already arrived and was setting up a temporary operations post. Several other engine crews and one other squad were already there, awaiting assignments. Large maps of the area were spread out on several tables and a radio center was being set up. McConnike signaled to Hank Stanley.
“Hank, I understand you saw where the helicopter went down. We need you to help pinpoint the search area on the maps for us. We also need to know who was on board....”
Taking a deep breath, Hank answered slowly, “they were 10-8 to Rampart with two injured hikers and... one of my paramedics.” Hank swallowed hard, “John Gage.”
That explained the look on the faces of the crew of Station 51. The Captain was trying hard to keep it together, but the rest of the men looked shell-shocked. DeSoto looked like hell.
“I’m sorry, Hank. I know you are all really close. We’ll do our best to find them quickly.” The Chief’s voice was full of compassion. “Okay, that makes six people -- they had an observer on board today." He paused a moment and then said, "Unfortunately, our resources are pretty slim right now with the brush fire at the other end of the county. But, the Sheriff’s helicopter will be here in about 20 minutes.”
With only about 4 hours daylight remaining, every minute mattered. They needed to locate any survivors before darkness fell. Even though the day was warm, it was still March, and the night time temperatures would dip into the 40s. The odds of surviving a helicopter crash were small, especially in this terrain, and even locating the crash site in the dense brush might prove difficult.
But no one was going to give up hope. Especially not Roy. He desperately needed to tell Johnny something... something he should have told him earlier today.
**********************************
Brackett came out of his office and walked briskly to the nurses station. “Dix, shouldn’t the helicopter have been here by now? It’s been almost 30 minutes since 51 said they were transporting.”
Dixie already had the phone in her hand. “I’ll call county dispatch and see if they can give us an update on their ETA. We have some rather anxious parents in the waiting room, too.”
After identifying herself and requesting the ETA on Copter 10, Dixie listened silently to the information she was given. Kelly Brackett watched in concern as the color drained from her face. “What is it, Dix?”
Her hands shaking as she hung up the phone, she gave him the bad news. “Copter 10 reported a malfunction and went down somewhere in Tonner Canyon just a few minutes after lift-off. The dispatcher didn’t have a lot of details, just that a search and rescue effort is underway now to locate the helicopter. They have no information yet about the people who were on board.”
Brackett hung his head and groaned inwardly. “Dixie, can you ask the parents to come into my office, and if Vince is still here, ask him to come in too. We need to give them the news in private. Maybe Vince can get some more information for us.”
“Sure, Kel. Just give me a second."
Just when she thought she had gotten her heartrate a little slower, calming herself a bit, Brackett turned back and asked “do we know which of the guys...?” Dixie shook her head no... either one would be a greater loss than she could bear.
“Maybe you’d better give me another minute, Kel.”
“Me too, Dix, me too.”
**********************************
The next time Johnny opened his eyes, he was able to remember everything that had happened. He strained to see his watch to get an idea of how long it had been since the crash. His vision was blurry and it took what seemed like hours instead of minutes just to figure out what time it was. Three o’clock. It’s been over 2 hours. John knew he had to check and see if the others were okay, but moving didn’t seem to be an option at the moment. His head was throbbing and his vision blurred. Dizziness washed over him at the slightest movement. As his level of consciousness increased, so did his level of pain. The worst of it came from his right side -- maybe some cracked ribs, definitely a broken leg. He felt a wound sticky with blood in his right shoulder, his sleeve soaked with it. He was cold, probably shocky. But, he was alive.
He hoped he wasn’t the only one.
Trying hard to ignore his own injuries, John struggled to sit up. Waiting for the dizziness to pass from that effort, he finally looked around and was stunned at the sight before him. He had been thrown from the helicopter, which lay off to his left. The entire tail section was missing, and the body of the chopper was smashed and twisted; the rotor blades bent and broken. He didn’t think that anyone inside could have survived, and instantly regretted his decision to secure the two stokes.
His vision blurred again and his heart began to beat more rapidly. Knowing he had to find out about the others for sure, John fought to steady his breathing and remain conscious. Slowly, very slowly, he began to crawl toward the helicopter. Stopping every few feet to deal with the pain, it took 10 minutes for him to cover the short distance. With one look, he knew that both the pilot and observer had died on impact. He felt sick, and laid back against the mangled copter to rest. He drifted in and out for a while. He wasn’t sure how long he had been sitting there when he heard the sound. It was close by, and he did his best to focus on it. There it was again. It was a person moaning softly -- at least someone was still alive!
**********************************
The phone in Kelly Brackett’s office rang, breaking the agonizing silence that had reigned once the news sank in. Everyone jumped in anticipation.
“Dr. Brackett, it’s Roy. I... I guess you heard?" Roy was calling from the privacy of the phone booth at the campground.
“Roy, is there any news?” Brackett asked softly. With that, Dixie and Vince knew it was Johnny who was missing. Dixie excused herself and left the room quickly.
“No, not yet. But the Search and Rescue helicopter has only been in the air for about 5 minutes. We saw the area where it went down, so we’re hoping they can get a fix on the crash site real soon. I just wanted to call to... to let you know... about Johnny.”
Roy couldn’t say anything more. He felt so helpless. This beautiful day had gone all wrong from the beginning, and now it was ending like a really bad dream. “Doc, we’ll call as soon as we know anything.” Roy hung up the phone and pressed his forehead against the cool glass of the booth, and closed his eyes for a long moment, then went to join his fellow firefighters once again.
Brackett passed along the news... which wasn’t really any news at all for the parents. All they could do is wait. Kel excused himself and told them to make themselves comfortable and to use his office as long as they needed. He had to keep busy. Dixie and Joe and Mike were in the hallway, getting ready for some victims of a TA that were due in any minute. Kel said a silent prayer for everyone that had been on board Copter 10, and went to work.
**********************************
Even though much of the LA County Fire Department was still battling the brush fire to the north, off-duty firemen kept arriving all afternoon, ready to help when the word came. McConnike was briefing the group as to how they would proceed once the helicopter spotted the crash site. The Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Group was sending a team to assist and would be arriving momentarily. Behind him, voices from dispatch and on-duty stations came over the radio, which was turned down so as not to interrupt the briefing, but still loud enough that any news from the search and rescue helicopter could be heard. Every so often, a faint, incoherent sound could be heard between the routine transmissions.
The Chief finished his briefing session. As others went to rest or get a cup of coffee, Roy stayed next to the radio, willing it to tell him Johnny had been found alive and well. The soft sounds could still be heard from time-to-time. Roy wasn’t sure what it was that finally captured his attention, but all of a sudden, he turned and motioned excitedly to Captain Stanley.
Stanley hurried over and asked “what is it, Roy?”
“Cap, Johnny had the HT with him! I think that’s been him trying to contact us for the last 20 minutes!”
Hank took charge of the situation. “Okay, we'll have everyone on this frequency stand-by while you try to raise him.” He hoped with all his heart that Roy was right.
“Thanks, Cap. He’s there, I know it.” Roy couldn’t explain how, but he knew that Johnny was still with them.
As soon as Stanley reported Roy's suspicions to McConnike, the call went out for the stand-by. Roy nodded when he was given the go-ahead.
"HT51... Johnny, this is Roy. Do you read me?” Roy’s voice was pleading, but was met with silence. "Johnny, do you read me?" He gripped the mike, determined to try again, when a short burst of static sounded, and then a whispered voice, almost too faint to hear.
“Roy....”
The entire group of firefighters gathered around the radio now, straining to hear. There were a hundred questions that needed to be asked in a hurry, but every man just stood there holding his breath, waiting to hear the voice again, to assure them that they hadn’t imagined it.
Taking a deep breath to stay calm, Roy asked, “Johhny, is everyone all right, are you all right?”
The response was slow in coming. They could hear the pain in his voice and the effort it took to answer.
“N... no.... The crew didn't make it. But the kids are still alive. Roy, they... they need help now.”
After a long pause, John started again, his voice getting weaker. “I was able to find the drug box and started another bag of Ringers on both of them, but they’re in bad shape. I... I can’t do anything... else... to help....” There was a long, strained pause. Just when Roy was going to transmit again....
“Roy, It’s... I’m gettin’ real cold and... I don’t think I can stay awake.” A painful groan and then silence again.
“Johnny, come on, stay with us. Try to stay awake. We need you to tell us when you hear the helicopter so we can find you and get you outta there!” Despite Roy's effort to remain calm, his voice kept getting louder and he almost shouted, “JOHNNY!” Only silence. “Come on, Johnny, answer me!” Still silence.
Roy’s hands were trembling as Hank took the microphone from him. “Come on, Roy, let’s go over to the canteen and get something. We know he’s alive, and they’re gonna find him soon.” Stanley put his arms around Roy’s shoulders to lead him away.
“But, Cap, are they gonna find him soon enough?” Roy’s eyes were full of fear for his friend. He didn't want to leave the radio.
“They will, Pal, they will. John will hang on... he always does.” He has to.
**********************************
Roy returned to the radio quickly. Nothing more had been heard from Johnny, and the search helicopter still hadn’t spotted the crash site. Frustration was mounting again as they were running short of daylight. Roy picked up the microphone and tried to raise Johnny again.
“Johnny, I need you to wake up. Those kids are counting on you to get them outta there alive.” I’m counting on you to get out of there alive. “Johnny, please if you can hear me, answer me.”
Even though he was hoping for a response, it still startled him when it came. “Roy, is that... is that you?”
“Yeah, Johnny, it’s me. Can you stay awake and talk to me for a while?” Roy’s voice was soft but urgent. “I need you to tell me how badly you’re hurt. And, don’t give me any of your usual ‘I’m okay’ -- I need to know.”
Roy could hear John draw a deep, painful breath. “My whole right side isn’t working too well. I think my leg is broken, and... maybe some ribs, too. My arm or my shoulder's been bleedin'. Roy, ’m really cold....” His voice faded away.
Roy was afraid John was going to pass out again. “Johnny, keep talkin’. Come on, stay awake and talk to me some more.”
“R... Roy... can... can you come get me now? I don’ feel so good and I wanna go home.” John’s words were starting to slur and he sounded disoriented. “Roy, tell Cap and Brackett not to be m... mad... at... me. Don’ wanna be in trouble, again.”
Everyone looked at Hank and Roy, wondering what Johnny was talking about. They obviously didn’t know either.
“John, nobody’s mad at you. We all just want you to get out of there and come home with us. Why would they be mad at you?”
“Roy, don’ tell ‘em, but I think... I think I broke my head again.”
Just as Roy was about to tell him it was okay, the observer from the helicopter shouted over the radio: "WE’VE FOUND THEM!"
The helicopter crew advised the downed chopper was in a spot too dangerous to attempt a rescue from the air, and that access from the ground would be difficult, but not impossible. The plans they spent all afternoon preparing quickly went into action.
Roy picked up the mike again and called to Johnny, “they’ve spotted you, we’ll be there to get you out real soon now. Hang on, Johnny, I’ll be right there.”
"Not goin' anywhere. Just... hur... hurry.” John sounded exhausted.
**********************************
Vince hurried down the hallway, and signaled to Brackett to join him in the doctor’s office. As they entered, Sarah’s and Greg’s parents sat up straight, looking hopefully from Vince to Kelly for any sign of good news. They weren’t disappointed.
Vince relayed the information he had been given during his last call to headquarters. “Radio contact has been made with the paramedic that was on board the helicopter. Apparently Sarah and Greg are alive, but unconscious. No one is sure if they’ve been injured further, but at least we know they're alive.” Prayers of thanks were whispered as tears flowed. Brackett also breathed a sigh of relief at what Vince had just said. Johnny was still alive, too.
Vince told them that it was still going to take about an hour before they were extricated from the canyon and transported to the hospital. Brackett suggested that they might want to go to the cafeteria and get something to eat while they waited. It was likely to be a long night for them all.
After the parents had left the room, Vince finished filling Brackett in on the rest of the details. “John was able to tell Roy that he didn’t think the kids could hold out much longer without help. He was apparently able to keep some IVs going, but I hear he’s in pretty rough shape himself. The paramedics at the scene are going to wrap and run; they’ll contact you the minute they’re on the way.”
“We’ll be standing by. Let’s just hope they reach them in time.” Brackett headed for the base station.
**********************************
The first rescue team to arrive went to work on the hikers, making sure they were stable enough to be carried up the hillside. Johnny was unconscious when Roy reached his side. At first sight, Roy thought they were too late. He was laying on his left side, so still. There was blood all over John’s right shoulder and arm, his right leg was obviously broken. The whole right side of his face was bruised and bloodied, his right eye swollen shut. As they rolled him gently onto the backboard, Roy was grateful to see the slow rise and fall of John’s chest. Dwyer quickly went to work splinting the broken leg, while Roy applied the cervical collar and checked his vitals. Johnnys' blood pressure was low, his respirations were shallow and labored. His skin was cold and he was unresponsive to stimuli. They carefully loaded him into the stokes for the arduous trip up the steep slope. Roy would stay by his side all the way to the hospital.
More than enough hands were at the top to help load all three victims into the waiting helicopter. The firemen and rescue teams stood and watched as the helicopter flew off toward the hospital, then the group slowly began to disburse. Their job was done.
McConnike came up to Stanley and the rest of 51s crew. “Hank, I’m really sorry about this, but we need you to return to duty right away. Our resources are really thin right now with the brushfire. I know you'd like to be at the hospital, but it’s just not possible right now. Oh, and Johnny's replacement will be in at 8. He'll pick up the squad and get DeSoto at Rampart."
Hank was just grateful that John and the kids were found alive. "It's all right, Chief. We'll call in available and head back to the station now. I know Roy'll be glad for the extra time at the hospital.... And, thanks for everything you did here today. I know it’s our job, but when it’s one of our own, it’s really rough. As soon as I hear from Roy, I’ll give you a call to let you know how Gage is doing.” Stanley walked over to join his men. “Marco, why don’t you drive the squad back to the station.”
**********************************
Sarah had regained consciousness on the way in, and while Greg remained unconscious, his vitals were stablized. After their initial examinations and x-rays, Dr. Early and Dr. Morton felt certain both would recover from their injuries and went to give their parents the good news.
Johnny’s blood pressure had continued to drop during the flight, and Kelly Brackett and a surgical team was standing by in the OR.
As the gurney came through the emergency room doors, Roy kept his hand on John’s shoulder all the way to the elevator. Dixie was there, and gently pulled him away as the doors slid closed.
“He’s going to be fine, Roy. He’s got the best doctor I know taking care of him now.” Dixie’s voice was reassuring. Roy leaned back against the wall in complete exhaustion, as all the emotions of the day flooded over him.
Dixie came to his rescue. “Roy, let’s go have a some coffee in the staff lounge. It’s quiet in there and you can rest while we wait for word on Johnny’s condition.” He didn't have the strength or desire to protest, and followed her slowly down the hall and into the room. Dixie poured him a cup, but by the time she turned around to hand it to him, he was already asleep on the couch. Dixie turned out the lights and quietly left the room. She passed the word not to disturb him.
Even in fitful sleep, his thoughts were haunted by John's questions about their friendship. Was it only this morning we had that conversation? It seems a lifetime ago. Roy had a lot he needed to say to Johnny.
It was several hours later when Joe Early came into the lounge. Roy startled at the hand gently shaking his shoulder. “Roy, we’ve got some news for you.” Roy noticed Dr. Early hadn’t said “good” news, but the doctor’s demeanor didn’t indicate it was bad news, either.
“John has a tib-fib fracture, but it appears to be a clean break again and shouldn’t pose any problems for him. He also fractured three ribs which is where he sustained the laceration to his liver, but Kel was able stop the bleeding and repair the damage. His lungs seem to be fine -- no damage from the broken ribs. We've stitched up his scalp and that deep laceration that followed along his scapula and upper arm. Unfortunately, he's lost a lot of blood and was pretty shocky when he got here. That, added to the severe concussion, made surgery a little risky but we just couldn't afford to wait.”
Dr. Early got up and poured himself some coffee during the last part and quickly took a sip before continuing. “Kel thinks that most of the injuries were sustained in the crash, but that he probably aggravated them, and the bleeding, by moving around afterward.”
That was Johnny. Ignoring his own injuries to try to help the others.
Roy found his voice. “Johnny tried his best to help Greg and Sarah. At least it wasn’t in vain. He'll be glad about that." He paused before he asked the next question, fearful of the answer. "Johnny... he’ll be okay, won’t he Doc?”
**********************************
Roy sat by John’s bed. He had been in a coma for three days now and hadn’t shown signs of waking. Roy had gone home several times to shower and sleep and spend time with his family, but he had been here, by his side, most of the time. He couldn’t help thinking back to that day, remembering that the last conversation he and Johnny had was about their friendship. Johnny had sounded so unsure about it, and instead of reassuring him, all Roy did was tease him. Now, he prayed for a chance to make it right.
Roy had to go back to work the next day. He had missed the first shift back after the accident to stay by John’s side, but there didn’t seem to be much he could do but wait. Might as well keep busy; he would still check in every time they came to the emergency room. Brackett and Dixie promised to call if there was any change.
The next morning, A-shift was in a somber mood following roll call. Their first job was to wash and polish both the engine and the squad, as C-shift had returned from a late run just before the change of shift and didn’t have time to get the rigs cleaned up.
Mike Stoker brought out a cassette player and a tape. “Would anyone mind if we listened to some music while we work? That morning...," he paused as everyone remembered that day. "... that morning Johnny and I were talking about the Eagles concert he went to, I offered to record some of his favorite songs on tape since I have most of their albums. I thought maybe we could listen to it, then Roy could take it over to Johnny tomorrow. I don’t think he’d mind if we listened to it first.”
Roy really didn’t think he was in the mood to listen to a loud rock and roll band, and was a little surprised that Mike had suggested it. He was even more surprised that everyone agreed it would be a good idea, so he didn’t say anything.
After the first few songs, Roy realized he actually liked the music. It wasn’t at all what he had thought. By the time “Desperado” was over he was beginning to understand why Johnny had liked this group so much. By the time “My Man” was over, he had to leave the room.
He knew now why Johnny had questioned their friendship. It wasn’t that Roy had said he didn’t like the music. It was that Roy had never even bothered to listen to it. He judged it to be crazy because Johnny had liked it. He had always assumed that the things Johnny did and liked were a little off-the-wall. Yet, he had never given his friend the benefit of the doubt. Other than some fishing trips, he had never made much of an effort to share in John’s interests. And yet, Johnny was always there for him and his family and whatever they were doing - cheering at Chris’s baseball games, helping with Jennifer’s birthday party, helping Roy with household projects. Roy always assumed that because Johnny was eager to share his interests, that was all that mattered. Roy was the one who took the friendship for granted. He was so wrong. He had to talk to Johnny.
**********************************
John had come out of the coma later that day, but continued to sleep for most of the next two days.
Roy was there when he opened his eyes....
“Hey, Johnny, it’s about time you woke up. That was quite a nap you took.” Roy smiled softly at the friend he almost lost.
Roy was rewarded with the grin they had all come to know and love. “Hey, Roy. I sure am hungry. What time is it?”
Roy laughed. Only Johnny could be out of it for 5 days and wake up talking about food. “Let me call the nurse and see what she says.”
A few minutes later, Dr. Brackett entered the room. “So, Johnny, I hear you’re hungry.”
“Doc, I know gossip travels fast in this hospital, but that’s got to be a record.” John’s humor was intact.
Brackett checked him over, and John discovered that he was really hurting in a lot of places. He would sort that out later as the pain meds wore off. All thoughts of trying to sit up left him as quickly as they came when he tried to lift his head. He had a serious headache.
“Well, Johnny, I think maybe you’d better take it easy for a while longer. I’ll ask them to send up something really light and you can see if eating agrees with you. Maybe Roy can help you out a little when your food comes.” Brackett turned to leave and stopped. “By the way, John, you did break your head again, but I’m not mad at you about it." Smiling, he left the room.
“Roy, what was that all about?” John asked, not remembering anything he had said that day.
“Maybe you should ask Cap next time you see him. I think it’s an inside joke between you and him and Brackett.”
With Roy’s help, John managed to down some broth and some Jell-O. He was surprised how exhausting it could be just to swallow a few bites. He settled deeper into his pillow and closed his eyes while Roy stacked up the few dishes and pushed the table out of the way.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw Roy staring intently at him. “What?” Johnny felt a little uneasy. “Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing is wrong. Not exactly anyway.” Roy wasn’t sure where to begin. “Johnny, do you feel like talking for a little while? If not, we can do this later when you’re feeling better.”
John was too curious now not to listen. “What is it, Roy? I’m all right. If I get too tired, I’ll just fall asleep, but you can keep talking if you want. So, what, what is it?”
Roy paused for a moment, and decided he needed to do this now. “Johnny, do you remember that day... the day of the accident... before that, when you asked me if we were friends?”
John nodded ever so slightly; he didn’t see why Roy was being so serious about this. It had just been a question, he didn’t think he had meant to upset Roy when he asked it. But he did remember that something that day had really bothered him, he just couldn’t remember what it was. Maybe he should just listen to what his partner had to say.
“Johnny, you wondered how we could be friends if we had so little in common. Well, at first I thought that was ridiculous, until I realized a few days ago that it’s not that we don’t have things in common, it’s that I don’t seem to try to share much in your interests. That made me wonder what kind of friend I’ve been to you. I take it for granted that you enjoy doing things with me and my family, but I never seem to be around when there’s something you want me to do with you.”
John smiled sheepishly, “Roy, there are some times you wouldn’t want to go with me... after all you are a married man.”
Roy appreciated John’s attempt to lighten the mood, but really wanted to finish what he had started. “I suppose you’re right about that. But, seriously, I’ve given this a lot of thought since last week.”
“I believe that friendship isn’t about the ‘things’ we do or don’t have in common. Friendship is about who we are, it’s about the qualities we have that make us special. My friendship with you is about how much I admire and respect you. You are the most generous, caring person I have ever known. I have never met anyone with your good humor and your incredible ability to forgive and forget, even when we get mad at you, or tease you, or pull pranks, or just tell you how crazy we think you are. You are so good at your job. There is no one... no one... that I trust more with my life than you.” He paused to draw a breath.
“... and when I thought we lost you the other day, I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it.”
John didn’t quite know what to say. He hadn’t really believed he was all that special, not like he thought Roy was special. It made him feel good, though, that Roy thought about him like that.
“Johnny, I know you’re probably getting tired. I just want you to know how important your friendship is to me, and that I’ll try harder to be a better friend to you from now on.”
John was tired, but happy to know that he had someone who cared so much. His eyes drifted closed.
“Roy, thanks. Me too, ya know?”
“Yeah, Johnny..., I know.” Johnny was drifting off and Roy got ready to leave.
“Hey, I almost forgot. Stoker sent over this cassette player and tape for you to listen to. It’s got some really great songs on it.”
John opened his eyes a little. “You... listened to it?”
“Believe it or not, I liked them so much, I even went out and bought one of their albums. Get some sleep, Johnny. I’ll be back to see you later.”
Roy pressed the “play” button on the tape player and left the room as the song began....
Spring time, the acacias are bloomin’
Southern California will see one more day.
Dream land, business is boomin’
Birds are a singin’ as I drift away.
It was going to be another beautiful day in Southern California.
It was a day to remember.
Don't forget to email the writer!
Nan M.
EDITOR'S NOTE: As she stated in her note in the beginning, this is Nan M.'s very First fanfic. Pretty darn good wasn't it! Please send her an email and let her know whatcha think! WE LOVED It!
RETURN
"A Day to Remember"
Written by
Nan M.
Author's Note: Thank you's to E!U for posting my first story and for all your help! Hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
“Sure, I’ll let the Cap know we’re going, and be right with you, Roy.”
John was uncharacteristically quiet on the ride to Rampart. Roy kept glancing over at Johnny to see if he was about to say anything, but instead John just stared out the passenger side window and tapped his fingers on the door frame, as if in time to some tune playing in his head.
Just as they pulled into the hospital parking lot, Johnny softly asked “Roy, we’re friends, aren’t we?”
That was not what I was expecting. Where did that come from? “I guess you could say that, Johnny.” Roy laughed, but then glanced at his partner to see if he was really being serious.
“Sometimes I wonder why.” Johnny’s tone wasn’t as sarcastic as the comment sounded, actually it sounded a little melancholy.
Roy turned to look at John with a surprised look on his face.
“No, Roy, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I just mean that we don’t have very much in common outside of work. If you stop to think about it, we’re pretty much opposites in every way. You know, what reasons do we have to be friends?”
Roy really didn’t understand what this was all about. “So, what is it you’re trying to say?” Roy asked, quietly wishing they would change the subject. “That we shouldn’t be friends? That’s a little crazy, even for you.”
Johnny sighed. “Never mind, Roy, I’m not sure I even know myself.” With that, they climbed out of the squad and went in through the emergency room doors.
As they walked down the hall, Roy spotted Dr. Brackett. “Johnny, why don’t you go get the supplies. I need to talk to Brackett for a minute, then I’ll join you.”
Johnny walked up to the desk and smiled. “Hey, Dix, how are you today?”
“Well, Johnny, it’s such a beautiful day, it’s hard not to be in a great mood, even if I am working. At least you guys get to ride around outside and take in the sunshine.”
Johnny handed her the list Roy had made out. While Dixie got the supplies out of the cabinet, John leaned back against the wall and was soon lost in thought.
“...with your partner today?” Johnny realized Roy had come up to the desk and he and Dixie were talking about him. “If I didn’t know him so well, I’d almost think he was deep in thought,” said Roy lightly. Dixie could have sworn she saw Johnny flinch at the remark.
John frowned at him. “Thanks a lot, pal. I’ll just go put the supplies away.” With that, John started down the hallway toward the door.
“Roy, if I didn’t know you so well, I’d think that was kind of a mean thing for you to say.” Dixie swatted his arm lightly.
“Oh, Johnny knows I’m just teasing,” replied Roy. “He's trying to figure out what makes us friends since he doesn’t think we have much in common.... It all started just because I don’t know who some crazy rock and roll band is.”
"Well, you are kind of an odd couple," Dixie joked as she watched John disappear down the hallway. “But, I’m not so sure he thought you were teasing.”
Roy thought about it for a second and decided maybe they were going to have to talk about this when they got back to the station. Johnny couldn’t possibly believe that they were anything but the best of friends. After all, Johnny was always at his house for dinner, or helping Roy with different chores, or doing things with the kids. They didn’t talk about their friendship much, and Roy just assumed that Johnny knew how special he was to him and his family.
Just then the tones sounded on his handi-talkie.
Squad 51, stand by for response....
After acknowledging LA dispatch, Roy started off toward the squad. “This run is a bit out of our area, so don’t expect to hear from us for a while, Dix. But it sounds like we may be back in a few hours....”
**********************************
As they slowly wound their way along the fire road, someone ran out into their path, frantically waving them down. As Roy pulled over to the side of the road, a boy who looked about 16 came up to the squad and started to plead with them to hurry and help his friends.
Johnny climbed out of the squad and tried to calm him down so they could understand what was wrong. “It’s okay, we’re here to help, but you’ve got to slow down and tell us what happened.” As the boy took a deep breath, John put his arm on his shoulder. “Okay, first tell me your name while I look at that cut on your forehead.”
“My name is Steve, and the cut doesn’t hurt," said the agitated boy. "My friends need help! We’ve been hiking today and were just taking a break over there.... We were standing at the edge of the ravine looking at the view, when the ground just crumbled out from underneath us. My friends fell down and I just barely managed to get back up onto solid ground.” He drew another deep, shaky breath before continuing. “Some guy on a motorcycle drove by a while ago and offered to go call for help. I thought maybe he forgot, it took so long for you to get here.”
By this time, Roy had come around the squad and after verifying with Johnny that the cut was superficial, asked Steve where his friends had fallen. It was only thirty yards from where they were stopped. Johnny handed Roy the safety-line then put on a belt. As soon as the line was secured, Johnny carefully made his way to the spot where the ground had given way just a short time ago. He saw two figures lying about 75 yards down the ravine. Neither one was moving.
“Okay, Steve, do you know if either of them were conscious after they fell?” Steve nodded at Roy, and said that Sarah had yelled up to him that she thought she had broken her leg and that the other one, Greg, was unconscious and bleeding from a cut on his head. But when he had returned after talking to the man on the motorcycle, Sarah hadn't answered him again. Steve thought it had been almost an hour since they had fallen.
Roy picked up the microphone and said, “Engine 51, Squad 51. We are at scene about 1 half-mile up the fire road. We have two injured hikers about 75 yards down a ravine. What is your ETA?”
“Squad 51, Engine 51. ETA is about 5 minutes” came Captain Stanley’s response to Roy, then “LA, Engine 51... we have two injured hikers, respond another engine to our location.”
Johnny unhooked himself from the safety line and grabbed the medical backpack and stuffed two c-collars into it. “Roy, I'll go on down and see what we've got. I'll radio on up to you the vitals so we can relay to Rampart. From what I could see, I think it'd be best to wait to establish IVs until we get them topside."
Roy concurred with Johnny's assessment and in no time, Johnny was on his way down. The engine rolled up just as he reached the first victim. After a quick head-to-toe of Sarah and applying a c-collar, he went over to Greg, who was about 10 feet further down and checked him out.
John keyed the HT, “Roy, they’re both unconscious and both appear to have head injuries as well as some broken bones. Be sure to load up some cardboard splints in the stokes." Chet and Marco helped put the equipment with the collapsable stretcher in the stokes and followed Roy down the ravine.
It took about 25 minutes to get both victims splinted and back up the ravine with the help of the engine crews. In the meantime, Captain Stanley had requested a copter to transport them to Rampart -- the injuries were too serious for a long ambulance ride. Copter 10 was cleared from the brushfire for the medical emergency and dispatched to the scene.
One thing in their favor was that both of the injured hikers were 18, so they could be treated without waiting for parental consent. Vince had arrived during the rescue, and took Steve back to the city to call his friends’ parents and arrange to have them meet at Rampart.
Roy was finishing up his transmission to Dr. Brackett. “Rampart, we are loading the victims into the helicopter now. That’s a 10-4 on the second IV for victim 1. Will start IV as soon as we take off. ETA at Rampart should be about 15 to 20 minutes.”
“10-4 Squad 51. We’ll be standing by.” Dr. Brackett turned to Dixie and asked her to page Dr. Early to help out when they arrived. “Will do, and then I’ll go set up in rooms 2 and 4 and we’ll be ready as soon as they come through the doors.”
“Dix, I’ll be in my office. Let me know as soon as the chopper arrives.”
**********************************
Roy patiently waited while Marco loaded his end of the second victim’s stokes. He could see that Johnny was already setting up the second IV for the first patient. Roy handed the bio-phone to the observer and leaned in.
“See you at Rampart,” yelled Roy so he could be heard over the copter engine and rotors. Johnny, with IV bag in his mouth, didn’t even look up, but did nod his head in affirmation. Roy took a step back, reached for the door handle and slid it shut.
Roy waved at the pilot to go ahead and lift off, and swiftly moved out of the way of the helicopter but not the small dust storm it created. Man, this happens almost every time, he thought to himself as he tried to rub the grit from his eyes. It wasn’t helping. Damn. He approached Stanley.
“You okay, Roy?” looking at Roy’s heavily tearing, bloodshot eyes.
“Yeah, rotor wash got me, again,” replied Roy disgustedly, still shielding his eyes. “Can you give me a hand? I want to irrigate before I fall into the ravine.”
“Sure thing, Pal,” Stanley reached over to loosely clasp a hand on Roy’s shoulder and began to lead him back to the squad.
Every head of every firefighter jerked up to look at the departing helicopter, already one ridge over when they heard what sounded like a rifle shot echo through the canyon.
“Copter 10. Experiencing malfunction. Am going down,” came the calm but urgent message from the pilot over all the firefighters radios. A burst of static, then, there was dead silence.
The tones started sounding over the radios as Stanley pulled out his HT from his pocket.
“Jesus,” said Stanley. He keyed the HT and said, “LA, this is Engine 51. Copter 10 has gone down near our location at Tonner Canyon, estimate 15 minutes to crash site.
“10-4, 51. All units responding to Copter 10 emergency. Location is Tonner Canyon. Repeat, Tonner Canyon.”
Roy, instantly turning pale when the pilot first voiced his emergency, mutely followed the path of the chopper in its fatal downward spiral. Then, it was gone beyond the ridge.
“Johnny.”
**********************************
Things on board the helicopter were in a state of controlled panic -- it spun in circles and started to descend -- the drive shaft had cracked, causing the loss of the tail rotor. The pilot had limited control over speed and descent, but there was no way he was going to be able to land safely. He quickly radioed his emergency transmission.
Something was obviously, seriously wrong, and Johnny’s first thought was to make sure the two stokes were secured as tightly as possible so they didn’t get thrown around if they crashed, then to get himself strapped in.
Time ran out.
The helicopter started to disintegrate as it slammed into the side of the canyon. Birds flew from the trees, squirrels and rabbits scattered, trying to escape the smoke and debris. Five minutes later, the hillside was silent again, as though nothing had happened to disturb the peace of the beautiful day.
**********************************
The voice of the dispatcher came over the radios again, “all units responding to Copter 10 emergency, meet at the Loma Linda Campground off Tonner Canyon Road. A command post is being set up to organize the search and rescue effort.”
After driving up and down the canyon roads, trying in vain to spot the fallen helicopter, the squad and the engine headed for the campground. As they pulled in, they saw that McConnike had already arrived and was setting up a temporary operations post. Several other engine crews and one other squad were already there, awaiting assignments. Large maps of the area were spread out on several tables and a radio center was being set up. McConnike signaled to Hank Stanley.
“Hank, I understand you saw where the helicopter went down. We need you to help pinpoint the search area on the maps for us. We also need to know who was on board....”
Taking a deep breath, Hank answered slowly, “they were 10-8 to Rampart with two injured hikers and... one of my paramedics.” Hank swallowed hard, “John Gage.”
That explained the look on the faces of the crew of Station 51. The Captain was trying hard to keep it together, but the rest of the men looked shell-shocked. DeSoto looked like hell.
“I’m sorry, Hank. I know you are all really close. We’ll do our best to find them quickly.” The Chief’s voice was full of compassion. “Okay, that makes six people -- they had an observer on board today." He paused a moment and then said, "Unfortunately, our resources are pretty slim right now with the brush fire at the other end of the county. But, the Sheriff’s helicopter will be here in about 20 minutes.”
With only about 4 hours daylight remaining, every minute mattered. They needed to locate any survivors before darkness fell. Even though the day was warm, it was still March, and the night time temperatures would dip into the 40s. The odds of surviving a helicopter crash were small, especially in this terrain, and even locating the crash site in the dense brush might prove difficult.
But no one was going to give up hope. Especially not Roy. He desperately needed to tell Johnny something... something he should have told him earlier today.
**********************************
Brackett came out of his office and walked briskly to the nurses station. “Dix, shouldn’t the helicopter have been here by now? It’s been almost 30 minutes since 51 said they were transporting.”
Dixie already had the phone in her hand. “I’ll call county dispatch and see if they can give us an update on their ETA. We have some rather anxious parents in the waiting room, too.”
After identifying herself and requesting the ETA on Copter 10, Dixie listened silently to the information she was given. Kelly Brackett watched in concern as the color drained from her face. “What is it, Dix?”
Her hands shaking as she hung up the phone, she gave him the bad news. “Copter 10 reported a malfunction and went down somewhere in Tonner Canyon just a few minutes after lift-off. The dispatcher didn’t have a lot of details, just that a search and rescue effort is underway now to locate the helicopter. They have no information yet about the people who were on board.”
Brackett hung his head and groaned inwardly. “Dixie, can you ask the parents to come into my office, and if Vince is still here, ask him to come in too. We need to give them the news in private. Maybe Vince can get some more information for us.”
“Sure, Kel. Just give me a second."
Just when she thought she had gotten her heartrate a little slower, calming herself a bit, Brackett turned back and asked “do we know which of the guys...?” Dixie shook her head no... either one would be a greater loss than she could bear.
“Maybe you’d better give me another minute, Kel.”
“Me too, Dix, me too.”
**********************************
The next time Johnny opened his eyes, he was able to remember everything that had happened. He strained to see his watch to get an idea of how long it had been since the crash. His vision was blurry and it took what seemed like hours instead of minutes just to figure out what time it was. Three o’clock. It’s been over 2 hours. John knew he had to check and see if the others were okay, but moving didn’t seem to be an option at the moment. His head was throbbing and his vision blurred. Dizziness washed over him at the slightest movement. As his level of consciousness increased, so did his level of pain. The worst of it came from his right side -- maybe some cracked ribs, definitely a broken leg. He felt a wound sticky with blood in his right shoulder, his sleeve soaked with it. He was cold, probably shocky. But, he was alive.
He hoped he wasn’t the only one.
Trying hard to ignore his own injuries, John struggled to sit up. Waiting for the dizziness to pass from that effort, he finally looked around and was stunned at the sight before him. He had been thrown from the helicopter, which lay off to his left. The entire tail section was missing, and the body of the chopper was smashed and twisted; the rotor blades bent and broken. He didn’t think that anyone inside could have survived, and instantly regretted his decision to secure the two stokes.
His vision blurred again and his heart began to beat more rapidly. Knowing he had to find out about the others for sure, John fought to steady his breathing and remain conscious. Slowly, very slowly, he began to crawl toward the helicopter. Stopping every few feet to deal with the pain, it took 10 minutes for him to cover the short distance. With one look, he knew that both the pilot and observer had died on impact. He felt sick, and laid back against the mangled copter to rest. He drifted in and out for a while. He wasn’t sure how long he had been sitting there when he heard the sound. It was close by, and he did his best to focus on it. There it was again. It was a person moaning softly -- at least someone was still alive!
**********************************
The phone in Kelly Brackett’s office rang, breaking the agonizing silence that had reigned once the news sank in. Everyone jumped in anticipation.
“Dr. Brackett, it’s Roy. I... I guess you heard?" Roy was calling from the privacy of the phone booth at the campground.
“Roy, is there any news?” Brackett asked softly. With that, Dixie and Vince knew it was Johnny who was missing. Dixie excused herself and left the room quickly.
“No, not yet. But the Search and Rescue helicopter has only been in the air for about 5 minutes. We saw the area where it went down, so we’re hoping they can get a fix on the crash site real soon. I just wanted to call to... to let you know... about Johnny.”
Roy couldn’t say anything more. He felt so helpless. This beautiful day had gone all wrong from the beginning, and now it was ending like a really bad dream. “Doc, we’ll call as soon as we know anything.” Roy hung up the phone and pressed his forehead against the cool glass of the booth, and closed his eyes for a long moment, then went to join his fellow firefighters once again.
Brackett passed along the news... which wasn’t really any news at all for the parents. All they could do is wait. Kel excused himself and told them to make themselves comfortable and to use his office as long as they needed. He had to keep busy. Dixie and Joe and Mike were in the hallway, getting ready for some victims of a TA that were due in any minute. Kel said a silent prayer for everyone that had been on board Copter 10, and went to work.
**********************************
Even though much of the LA County Fire Department was still battling the brush fire to the north, off-duty firemen kept arriving all afternoon, ready to help when the word came. McConnike was briefing the group as to how they would proceed once the helicopter spotted the crash site. The Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Group was sending a team to assist and would be arriving momentarily. Behind him, voices from dispatch and on-duty stations came over the radio, which was turned down so as not to interrupt the briefing, but still loud enough that any news from the search and rescue helicopter could be heard. Every so often, a faint, incoherent sound could be heard between the routine transmissions.
The Chief finished his briefing session. As others went to rest or get a cup of coffee, Roy stayed next to the radio, willing it to tell him Johnny had been found alive and well. The soft sounds could still be heard from time-to-time. Roy wasn’t sure what it was that finally captured his attention, but all of a sudden, he turned and motioned excitedly to Captain Stanley.
Stanley hurried over and asked “what is it, Roy?”
“Cap, Johnny had the HT with him! I think that’s been him trying to contact us for the last 20 minutes!”
Hank took charge of the situation. “Okay, we'll have everyone on this frequency stand-by while you try to raise him.” He hoped with all his heart that Roy was right.
“Thanks, Cap. He’s there, I know it.” Roy couldn’t explain how, but he knew that Johnny was still with them.
As soon as Stanley reported Roy's suspicions to McConnike, the call went out for the stand-by. Roy nodded when he was given the go-ahead.
"HT51... Johnny, this is Roy. Do you read me?” Roy’s voice was pleading, but was met with silence. "Johnny, do you read me?" He gripped the mike, determined to try again, when a short burst of static sounded, and then a whispered voice, almost too faint to hear.
“Roy....”
The entire group of firefighters gathered around the radio now, straining to hear. There were a hundred questions that needed to be asked in a hurry, but every man just stood there holding his breath, waiting to hear the voice again, to assure them that they hadn’t imagined it.
Taking a deep breath to stay calm, Roy asked, “Johhny, is everyone all right, are you all right?”
The response was slow in coming. They could hear the pain in his voice and the effort it took to answer.
“N... no.... The crew didn't make it. But the kids are still alive. Roy, they... they need help now.”
After a long pause, John started again, his voice getting weaker. “I was able to find the drug box and started another bag of Ringers on both of them, but they’re in bad shape. I... I can’t do anything... else... to help....” There was a long, strained pause. Just when Roy was going to transmit again....
“Roy, It’s... I’m gettin’ real cold and... I don’t think I can stay awake.” A painful groan and then silence again.
“Johnny, come on, stay with us. Try to stay awake. We need you to tell us when you hear the helicopter so we can find you and get you outta there!” Despite Roy's effort to remain calm, his voice kept getting louder and he almost shouted, “JOHNNY!” Only silence. “Come on, Johnny, answer me!” Still silence.
Roy’s hands were trembling as Hank took the microphone from him. “Come on, Roy, let’s go over to the canteen and get something. We know he’s alive, and they’re gonna find him soon.” Stanley put his arms around Roy’s shoulders to lead him away.
“But, Cap, are they gonna find him soon enough?” Roy’s eyes were full of fear for his friend. He didn't want to leave the radio.
“They will, Pal, they will. John will hang on... he always does.” He has to.
**********************************
Roy returned to the radio quickly. Nothing more had been heard from Johnny, and the search helicopter still hadn’t spotted the crash site. Frustration was mounting again as they were running short of daylight. Roy picked up the microphone and tried to raise Johnny again.
“Johnny, I need you to wake up. Those kids are counting on you to get them outta there alive.” I’m counting on you to get out of there alive. “Johnny, please if you can hear me, answer me.”
Even though he was hoping for a response, it still startled him when it came. “Roy, is that... is that you?”
“Yeah, Johnny, it’s me. Can you stay awake and talk to me for a while?” Roy’s voice was soft but urgent. “I need you to tell me how badly you’re hurt. And, don’t give me any of your usual ‘I’m okay’ -- I need to know.”
Roy could hear John draw a deep, painful breath. “My whole right side isn’t working too well. I think my leg is broken, and... maybe some ribs, too. My arm or my shoulder's been bleedin'. Roy, ’m really cold....” His voice faded away.
Roy was afraid John was going to pass out again. “Johnny, keep talkin’. Come on, stay awake and talk to me some more.”
“R... Roy... can... can you come get me now? I don’ feel so good and I wanna go home.” John’s words were starting to slur and he sounded disoriented. “Roy, tell Cap and Brackett not to be m... mad... at... me. Don’ wanna be in trouble, again.”
Everyone looked at Hank and Roy, wondering what Johnny was talking about. They obviously didn’t know either.
“John, nobody’s mad at you. We all just want you to get out of there and come home with us. Why would they be mad at you?”
“Roy, don’ tell ‘em, but I think... I think I broke my head again.”
Just as Roy was about to tell him it was okay, the observer from the helicopter shouted over the radio: "WE’VE FOUND THEM!"
The helicopter crew advised the downed chopper was in a spot too dangerous to attempt a rescue from the air, and that access from the ground would be difficult, but not impossible. The plans they spent all afternoon preparing quickly went into action.
Roy picked up the mike again and called to Johnny, “they’ve spotted you, we’ll be there to get you out real soon now. Hang on, Johnny, I’ll be right there.”
"Not goin' anywhere. Just... hur... hurry.” John sounded exhausted.
**********************************
Vince hurried down the hallway, and signaled to Brackett to join him in the doctor’s office. As they entered, Sarah’s and Greg’s parents sat up straight, looking hopefully from Vince to Kelly for any sign of good news. They weren’t disappointed.
Vince relayed the information he had been given during his last call to headquarters. “Radio contact has been made with the paramedic that was on board the helicopter. Apparently Sarah and Greg are alive, but unconscious. No one is sure if they’ve been injured further, but at least we know they're alive.” Prayers of thanks were whispered as tears flowed. Brackett also breathed a sigh of relief at what Vince had just said. Johnny was still alive, too.
Vince told them that it was still going to take about an hour before they were extricated from the canyon and transported to the hospital. Brackett suggested that they might want to go to the cafeteria and get something to eat while they waited. It was likely to be a long night for them all.
After the parents had left the room, Vince finished filling Brackett in on the rest of the details. “John was able to tell Roy that he didn’t think the kids could hold out much longer without help. He was apparently able to keep some IVs going, but I hear he’s in pretty rough shape himself. The paramedics at the scene are going to wrap and run; they’ll contact you the minute they’re on the way.”
“We’ll be standing by. Let’s just hope they reach them in time.” Brackett headed for the base station.
**********************************
The first rescue team to arrive went to work on the hikers, making sure they were stable enough to be carried up the hillside. Johnny was unconscious when Roy reached his side. At first sight, Roy thought they were too late. He was laying on his left side, so still. There was blood all over John’s right shoulder and arm, his right leg was obviously broken. The whole right side of his face was bruised and bloodied, his right eye swollen shut. As they rolled him gently onto the backboard, Roy was grateful to see the slow rise and fall of John’s chest. Dwyer quickly went to work splinting the broken leg, while Roy applied the cervical collar and checked his vitals. Johnnys' blood pressure was low, his respirations were shallow and labored. His skin was cold and he was unresponsive to stimuli. They carefully loaded him into the stokes for the arduous trip up the steep slope. Roy would stay by his side all the way to the hospital.
More than enough hands were at the top to help load all three victims into the waiting helicopter. The firemen and rescue teams stood and watched as the helicopter flew off toward the hospital, then the group slowly began to disburse. Their job was done.
McConnike came up to Stanley and the rest of 51s crew. “Hank, I’m really sorry about this, but we need you to return to duty right away. Our resources are really thin right now with the brushfire. I know you'd like to be at the hospital, but it’s just not possible right now. Oh, and Johnny's replacement will be in at 8. He'll pick up the squad and get DeSoto at Rampart."
Hank was just grateful that John and the kids were found alive. "It's all right, Chief. We'll call in available and head back to the station now. I know Roy'll be glad for the extra time at the hospital.... And, thanks for everything you did here today. I know it’s our job, but when it’s one of our own, it’s really rough. As soon as I hear from Roy, I’ll give you a call to let you know how Gage is doing.” Stanley walked over to join his men. “Marco, why don’t you drive the squad back to the station.”
**********************************
Sarah had regained consciousness on the way in, and while Greg remained unconscious, his vitals were stablized. After their initial examinations and x-rays, Dr. Early and Dr. Morton felt certain both would recover from their injuries and went to give their parents the good news.
Johnny’s blood pressure had continued to drop during the flight, and Kelly Brackett and a surgical team was standing by in the OR.
As the gurney came through the emergency room doors, Roy kept his hand on John’s shoulder all the way to the elevator. Dixie was there, and gently pulled him away as the doors slid closed.
“He’s going to be fine, Roy. He’s got the best doctor I know taking care of him now.” Dixie’s voice was reassuring. Roy leaned back against the wall in complete exhaustion, as all the emotions of the day flooded over him.
Dixie came to his rescue. “Roy, let’s go have a some coffee in the staff lounge. It’s quiet in there and you can rest while we wait for word on Johnny’s condition.” He didn't have the strength or desire to protest, and followed her slowly down the hall and into the room. Dixie poured him a cup, but by the time she turned around to hand it to him, he was already asleep on the couch. Dixie turned out the lights and quietly left the room. She passed the word not to disturb him.
Even in fitful sleep, his thoughts were haunted by John's questions about their friendship. Was it only this morning we had that conversation? It seems a lifetime ago. Roy had a lot he needed to say to Johnny.
It was several hours later when Joe Early came into the lounge. Roy startled at the hand gently shaking his shoulder. “Roy, we’ve got some news for you.” Roy noticed Dr. Early hadn’t said “good” news, but the doctor’s demeanor didn’t indicate it was bad news, either.
“John has a tib-fib fracture, but it appears to be a clean break again and shouldn’t pose any problems for him. He also fractured three ribs which is where he sustained the laceration to his liver, but Kel was able stop the bleeding and repair the damage. His lungs seem to be fine -- no damage from the broken ribs. We've stitched up his scalp and that deep laceration that followed along his scapula and upper arm. Unfortunately, he's lost a lot of blood and was pretty shocky when he got here. That, added to the severe concussion, made surgery a little risky but we just couldn't afford to wait.”
Dr. Early got up and poured himself some coffee during the last part and quickly took a sip before continuing. “Kel thinks that most of the injuries were sustained in the crash, but that he probably aggravated them, and the bleeding, by moving around afterward.”
That was Johnny. Ignoring his own injuries to try to help the others.
Roy found his voice. “Johnny tried his best to help Greg and Sarah. At least it wasn’t in vain. He'll be glad about that." He paused before he asked the next question, fearful of the answer. "Johnny... he’ll be okay, won’t he Doc?”
**********************************
Roy sat by John’s bed. He had been in a coma for three days now and hadn’t shown signs of waking. Roy had gone home several times to shower and sleep and spend time with his family, but he had been here, by his side, most of the time. He couldn’t help thinking back to that day, remembering that the last conversation he and Johnny had was about their friendship. Johnny had sounded so unsure about it, and instead of reassuring him, all Roy did was tease him. Now, he prayed for a chance to make it right.
Roy had to go back to work the next day. He had missed the first shift back after the accident to stay by John’s side, but there didn’t seem to be much he could do but wait. Might as well keep busy; he would still check in every time they came to the emergency room. Brackett and Dixie promised to call if there was any change.
The next morning, A-shift was in a somber mood following roll call. Their first job was to wash and polish both the engine and the squad, as C-shift had returned from a late run just before the change of shift and didn’t have time to get the rigs cleaned up.
Mike Stoker brought out a cassette player and a tape. “Would anyone mind if we listened to some music while we work? That morning...," he paused as everyone remembered that day. "... that morning Johnny and I were talking about the Eagles concert he went to, I offered to record some of his favorite songs on tape since I have most of their albums. I thought maybe we could listen to it, then Roy could take it over to Johnny tomorrow. I don’t think he’d mind if we listened to it first.”
Roy really didn’t think he was in the mood to listen to a loud rock and roll band, and was a little surprised that Mike had suggested it. He was even more surprised that everyone agreed it would be a good idea, so he didn’t say anything.
After the first few songs, Roy realized he actually liked the music. It wasn’t at all what he had thought. By the time “Desperado” was over he was beginning to understand why Johnny had liked this group so much. By the time “My Man” was over, he had to leave the room.
He knew now why Johnny had questioned their friendship. It wasn’t that Roy had said he didn’t like the music. It was that Roy had never even bothered to listen to it. He judged it to be crazy because Johnny had liked it. He had always assumed that the things Johnny did and liked were a little off-the-wall. Yet, he had never given his friend the benefit of the doubt. Other than some fishing trips, he had never made much of an effort to share in John’s interests. And yet, Johnny was always there for him and his family and whatever they were doing - cheering at Chris’s baseball games, helping with Jennifer’s birthday party, helping Roy with household projects. Roy always assumed that because Johnny was eager to share his interests, that was all that mattered. Roy was the one who took the friendship for granted. He was so wrong. He had to talk to Johnny.
**********************************
John had come out of the coma later that day, but continued to sleep for most of the next two days.
Roy was there when he opened his eyes....
“Hey, Johnny, it’s about time you woke up. That was quite a nap you took.” Roy smiled softly at the friend he almost lost.
Roy was rewarded with the grin they had all come to know and love. “Hey, Roy. I sure am hungry. What time is it?”
Roy laughed. Only Johnny could be out of it for 5 days and wake up talking about food. “Let me call the nurse and see what she says.”
A few minutes later, Dr. Brackett entered the room. “So, Johnny, I hear you’re hungry.”
“Doc, I know gossip travels fast in this hospital, but that’s got to be a record.” John’s humor was intact.
Brackett checked him over, and John discovered that he was really hurting in a lot of places. He would sort that out later as the pain meds wore off. All thoughts of trying to sit up left him as quickly as they came when he tried to lift his head. He had a serious headache.
“Well, Johnny, I think maybe you’d better take it easy for a while longer. I’ll ask them to send up something really light and you can see if eating agrees with you. Maybe Roy can help you out a little when your food comes.” Brackett turned to leave and stopped. “By the way, John, you did break your head again, but I’m not mad at you about it." Smiling, he left the room.
“Roy, what was that all about?” John asked, not remembering anything he had said that day.
“Maybe you should ask Cap next time you see him. I think it’s an inside joke between you and him and Brackett.”
With Roy’s help, John managed to down some broth and some Jell-O. He was surprised how exhausting it could be just to swallow a few bites. He settled deeper into his pillow and closed his eyes while Roy stacked up the few dishes and pushed the table out of the way.
When he opened his eyes again, he saw Roy staring intently at him. “What?” Johnny felt a little uneasy. “Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing is wrong. Not exactly anyway.” Roy wasn’t sure where to begin. “Johnny, do you feel like talking for a little while? If not, we can do this later when you’re feeling better.”
John was too curious now not to listen. “What is it, Roy? I’m all right. If I get too tired, I’ll just fall asleep, but you can keep talking if you want. So, what, what is it?”
Roy paused for a moment, and decided he needed to do this now. “Johnny, do you remember that day... the day of the accident... before that, when you asked me if we were friends?”
John nodded ever so slightly; he didn’t see why Roy was being so serious about this. It had just been a question, he didn’t think he had meant to upset Roy when he asked it. But he did remember that something that day had really bothered him, he just couldn’t remember what it was. Maybe he should just listen to what his partner had to say.
“Johnny, you wondered how we could be friends if we had so little in common. Well, at first I thought that was ridiculous, until I realized a few days ago that it’s not that we don’t have things in common, it’s that I don’t seem to try to share much in your interests. That made me wonder what kind of friend I’ve been to you. I take it for granted that you enjoy doing things with me and my family, but I never seem to be around when there’s something you want me to do with you.”
John smiled sheepishly, “Roy, there are some times you wouldn’t want to go with me... after all you are a married man.”
Roy appreciated John’s attempt to lighten the mood, but really wanted to finish what he had started. “I suppose you’re right about that. But, seriously, I’ve given this a lot of thought since last week.”
“I believe that friendship isn’t about the ‘things’ we do or don’t have in common. Friendship is about who we are, it’s about the qualities we have that make us special. My friendship with you is about how much I admire and respect you. You are the most generous, caring person I have ever known. I have never met anyone with your good humor and your incredible ability to forgive and forget, even when we get mad at you, or tease you, or pull pranks, or just tell you how crazy we think you are. You are so good at your job. There is no one... no one... that I trust more with my life than you.” He paused to draw a breath.
“... and when I thought we lost you the other day, I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it.”
John didn’t quite know what to say. He hadn’t really believed he was all that special, not like he thought Roy was special. It made him feel good, though, that Roy thought about him like that.
“Johnny, I know you’re probably getting tired. I just want you to know how important your friendship is to me, and that I’ll try harder to be a better friend to you from now on.”
John was tired, but happy to know that he had someone who cared so much. His eyes drifted closed.
“Roy, thanks. Me too, ya know?”
“Yeah, Johnny..., I know.” Johnny was drifting off and Roy got ready to leave.
“Hey, I almost forgot. Stoker sent over this cassette player and tape for you to listen to. It’s got some really great songs on it.”
John opened his eyes a little. “You... listened to it?”
“Believe it or not, I liked them so much, I even went out and bought one of their albums. Get some sleep, Johnny. I’ll be back to see you later.”
Roy pressed the “play” button on the tape player and left the room as the song began....
Spring time, the acacias are bloomin’
Southern California will see one more day.
Dream land, business is boomin’
Birds are a singin’ as I drift away.
Just when she thought she had gotten her heartrate a little slower, calming herself a bit, Brackett turned back and asked “do we know which of the guys...?” Dixie shook her head no... either one would be a greater loss than she could bear.
“Maybe you’d better give me another minute, Kel.”
“Me too, Dix, me too.”
**********************************
The next time Johnny opened his eyes, he was able to remember everything that had happened. He strained to see his watch to get an idea of how long it had been since the crash. His vision was blurry and it took what seemed like hours instead of minutes just to figure out what time it was. Three o’clock. It’s been over 2 hours. John knew he had to check and see if the others were okay, but moving didn’t seem to be an option at the moment. His head was throbbing and his vision blurred. Dizziness washed over him at the slightest movement. As his level of consciousness increased, so did his level of pain. The worst of it came from his right side -- maybe some cracked ribs, definitely a broken leg. He felt a wound sticky with blood in his right shoulder, his sleeve soaked with it. He was cold, probably shocky. But, he was alive.
He hoped he wasn’t the only one.
Trying hard to ignore his own injuries, John struggled to sit up. Waiting for the dizziness to pass from that effort, he finally looked around and was stunned at the sight before him. He had been thrown from the helicopter, which lay off to his left. The entire tail section was missing, and the body of the chopper was smashed and twisted; the rotor blades bent and broken. He didn’t think that anyone inside could have survived, and instantly regretted his decision to secure the two stokes.
His vision blurred again and his heart began to beat more rapidly. Knowing he had to find out about the others for sure, John fought to steady his breathing and remain conscious. Slowly, very slowly, he began to crawl toward the helicopter. Stopping every few feet to deal with the pain, it took 10 minutes for him to cover the short distance. With one look, he knew that both the pilot and observer had died on impact. He felt sick, and laid back against the mangled copter to rest. He drifted in and out for a while. He wasn’t sure how long he had been sitting there when he heard the sound. It was close by, and he did his best to focus on it. There it was again. It was a person moaning softly -- at least someone was still alive!
**********************************
The phone in Kelly Brackett’s office rang, breaking the agonizing silence that had reigned once the news sank in. Everyone jumped in anticipation.
“Dr. Brackett, it’s Roy. I... I guess you heard?" Roy was calling from the privacy of the phone booth at the campground.
“Roy, is there any news?” Brackett asked softly. With that, Dixie and Vince knew it was Johnny who was missing. Dixie excused herself and left the room quickly.
“No, not yet. But the Search and Rescue helicopter has only been in the air for about 5 minutes. We saw the area where it went down, so we’re hoping they can get a fix on the crash site real soon. I just wanted to call to... to let you know... about Johnny.”
Roy couldn’t say anything more. He felt so helpless. This beautiful day had gone all wrong from the beginning, and now it was ending like a really bad dream. “Doc, we’ll call as soon as we know anything.” Roy hung up the phone and pressed his forehead against the cool glass of the booth, and closed his eyes for a long moment, then went to join his fellow firefighters once again.
Brackett passed along the news... which wasn’t really any news at all for the parents. All they could do is wait. Kel excused himself and told them to make themselves comfortable and to use his office as long as they needed. He had to keep busy. Dixie and Joe and Mike were in the hallway, getting ready for some victims of a TA that were due in any minute. Kel said a silent prayer for everyone that had been on board Copter 10, and went to work.
**********************************
Even though much of the LA County Fire Department was still battling the brush fire to the north, off-duty firemen kept arriving all afternoon, ready to help when the word came. McConnike was briefing the group as to how they would proceed once the helicopter spotted the crash site. The Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Group was sending a team to assist and would be arriving momentarily. Behind him, voices from dispatch and on-duty stations came over the radio, which was turned down so as not to interrupt the briefing, but still loud enough that any news from the search and rescue helicopter could be heard. Every so often, a faint, incoherent sound could be heard between the routine transmissions.
The Chief finished his briefing session. As others went to rest or get a cup of coffee, Roy stayed next to the radio, willing it to tell him Johnny had been found alive and well. The soft sounds could still be heard from time-to-time. Roy wasn’t sure what it was that finally captured his attention, but all of a sudden, he turned and motioned excitedly to Captain Stanley.
Stanley hurried over and asked “what is it, Roy?”
“Cap, Johnny had the HT with him! I think that’s been him trying to contact us for the last 20 minutes!”
Hank took charge of the situation. “Okay, we'll have everyone on this frequency stand-by while you try to raise him.” He hoped with all his heart that Roy was right.
“Thanks, Cap. He’s there, I know it.” Roy couldn’t explain how, but he knew that Johnny was still with them.
As soon as Stanley reported Roy's suspicions to McConnike, the call went out for the stand-by. Roy nodded when he was given the go-ahead.
"HT51... Johnny, this is Roy. Do you read me?” Roy’s voice was pleading, but was met with silence. "Johnny, do you read me?" He gripped the mike, determined to try again, when a short burst of static sounded, and then a whispered voice, almost too faint to hear.
“Roy....”-
Spring time, the acacias are bloomin’
Southern California will see one more day.
Dream land, business is boomin’
Birds are a singin’ as I drift away.