"Aw Cap! Do we have to?!?" Johnny whined.
"Yes, John. The County is very excited about this project. They want us to give our full cooperation."
"But, Cap…"
"No buts, Gage."
Johnny sulked off. Roy chimed in.
"Maybe it will be different this time, partner."
"Different how? Remember the last time - the TV producer who only wanted to see us lift weights? Come on, they’re all the same."
"This one isn’t." Captain Stanley interrupted. "She’s from National Geographic."
"She?" John had stopped sulking all of the sudden.
"Yes, and she’s done some pretty impressive stuff. HQ sent me down some of her work. Take a look." The Cap spread out a stack of clippings and photos.
"Let me see those…" Johnny got up and took a look. "Hey - these are good. Hey, look this is from Yellowstone, and these - Hey I know this place! It’s a two day hike…" A wolfish grin spread across his face. "She’s into camping, photography…yeah Roy, maybe this one will be different."
Roy looked at the Captain, and they both rolled their eyes.
The klaxon sounded.
Squad 51, man unconscious, 1467 Palmer Drive, 1-4-6-7 Palmer, cross street Weston. Time out 8:10.
Roy followed Johnny out to the Squad. It was going to be a long ride.
###
Captain Stanley looked up when he heard the knock at his office door.
"Captain Stanley, I presume."
Before him stood a slightly tom-boyish young woman, loaded down with camera gear and a turnout coat that looked like it would fit her. She was pretty in her own way, just enough for him to worry about Gage. He stood up and invited her in and offered her a seat.
She entered, holding out her hand and introduced herself.
"I’m Isabella Sabatini, but you can call me Izzy," she explained in a New York accent, very quickly and confidently, but with warmth all the same. "Here are all my papers from HQ, including the releases." She took her seat.
Cap took the papers and looked them over. All seemed to be in order.
"It’s quite unusual for us to have someone ride with us. The County really must be excited about this article. It’s not every day that we end up on the cover of a national magazine."
"You’re right, and of course this means a lot to them. From a public relations stand point, this is some of the best free press they can get."
"Well, we’re glad to have you aboard. I believe HQ briefed on the regulations."
"Yes. I’m not to become an additional rescue. I realize my clearance may make you think I’ll get in the way - but I’m here to write and shoot the story, not be in it, Captain. "
"Great, that puts my mind at ease. So if there’s nothing else, let me introduce you to the men…"
"Actually Captain, there is one more thing I’d like to put your mind at ease on."
Cap looked puzzled.
"I grew up with three older brothers, so I can take care of myself."
How’d she know?
"And one last thing…My three brothers - all New York City Firemen. So I know my way around a firehouse, and how to handle firemen. Especially single firemen."
Cap let out an audible sigh of relief.
"But I need you to keep that between us. I got the assignment because of my background. My feeling is if your men knew that, they might focus more on me, and I wouldn’t the casual observer that I need to be."
Captain Stanley knew they would indeed focus on her, especially John and Chet, but he wasn’t worried anymore.
Izzy strode through the door followed by the Captain, who then made the introductions.
"Men, this is Isabella Sabatini. She’s the photojournalist from National Geographic I was telling you about earlier. She is doing a cover article on the L.A.F.D.’s emergency response system with a highlight on the paramedic program. She comes with clearance to ride with us. So she’ll ride with you two in the Squad," motioning to Roy and the ever smiling Johnny.
Izzy took the floor.
"Hi, call me Izzy. I know that you’ve had the media follow you around before, but this will be different."
'It sure will,' thought Johnny.
"I realize you might be concerned about a civilian working with you so closely. But I assure you we’re all professionals here. And forgive me for putting it so bluntly, I’ll stay out of your way, and all I ask is that you stay out of mine. Any questions so far?"
Johnny started to speak, but Chet cut him off. Johnny shot Chet an evil look.
"Yes, Izzy. Have you done anything recently in National Geographic that I might have seen?"
"Sorry, Chet. I didn’t take any of those photographs of the naked natives." She grinned.
The room erupted in laughter, with Johnny laughing loudest.
"She got you good, Chester B.!"
"Shut up, Gage."
Izzy turned to Johnny with the same grin on her face.
Johnny flashed his ‘killer’ smile and leaned in closer to her.
Looking him straight in the eyes with smile to match his…
"I’ve been warned about you, Gage."
"You can call me Johnny," he said coyly.
"Gage, there are two thing you need to know. One - I don’t date firemen. And two - when I’m riding in the Squad, Roy drives."
Now it was Chet’s turn to laugh.
"Now who’s got who pegged, Gage?"
"Hey…!" Johnny miffed.
"I did my homework guys. Like any good journalist would." She then rattled off the accidents Johnny had had and his rep with the Rampart nurses. And not to leave anyone out, she mentioned Chet’s barbed wire collection and practical jokes, Mike’s fried chicken, Marco’s chili, and made a very vague and diplomatic reference to someone setting a hat on fire.
"It’s just amazing what people will tell you if you only ask," she finished.
With the tension and the ice broken, she went to work.
"Captain, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I’d like to start with a tour of the station before I start interviewing your men." Turning to Johnny, "And to show that there’s no hard feelings, I would be honored if you showed me the Squad, and where I can stow my gear."
"John, why don’t you do the tour as well," Captain Stanley added.
Johnny, with his ego repaired, did so willingly.
Chet spoke as soon as they were out of hear shot. "Hey Cap, I think she’ll be okay. I mean I don’t think she’ll get in the way. I know we just met her, but she kinda fits in."
There was agreement amongst the group.
"Good Kelly, because I have to give HQ daily updates as to how it’s going."
The klaxon sounded: Station 51, unknown type rescue, Tony’s Restaurant, 3-2-1-5 Springfield Ave, cross street Franklin. Time out 10:20.
Station 51 KMG-365.
###
Roy and Johnny were first on the scene, seconds ahead of the engine. They were greeted by what appeared to be the manager of the restaurant .
"You won’t believe this!!! You just won’t believe this! I can’t believe this my…"
Johnny interrupted. "Sir, can you tell us what the problem is…"
"I, I…oh, just come on it. It’s easier to show you!"
The manager lead them through the dinning area, into the kitchen. Over the grease pit, hanging out of the vent, was, a pair of legs.
"Hey, someone get me out of here!"
Roy went up to the vent. "Hey, what’s your name?"
"Johnny."
Chet muttered, "it figures", but Gage didn’t hear him.
"Well, Johnny, we’re going to get you out of there. So just hold still. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No, just a little stuck."
"Okay, you just, uh, hang in there," Roy suppressed a giggle as he realized what he said.
"Cap, I think we’ll have to see if we can pull him out from the roof. The vent here’s too small."
"Sir," the Captain turned to the manager. "How do we gain access to the roof?"
"This way."
"Chet, Marco, go with Gage up to the roof. See what you can do from there."
They managed to extricate the man from the vent with a little effort. Roy and Johnny looked him over. He was covered with grease, but otherwise, unhurt.
Izzy was waiting for them back at the squad.
"Where were you? It’s like you just disappeared," Johnny said to her as he put away the gear.
"That’s the idea"
"What’s the idea?"
"That’s the idea. I’m not supposed to get in the way. Remember? You do your job, I do mine."
"Yeah, but I didn’t see you do anything."
They all climbed into the squad, with Roy in the driver’s seat.
"Gage, I’m writing an article. I need information to write about. I spent my time finding out that guy’s story from the manager. What did it look like to you?"
"You don’t have to get hostile…"
"No, Gage. What did you think happened back there?"
"He was breaking in."
"So where were the cops?"
Johnny looked at her and realized she was right.
"The guy is a family friend of the owner. He’s mildly retarded, and was given the job of janitor at the restaurant. He also has a habit of forgetting his keys. Which is what happened today. Afraid he was going to get yelled at, he decided to try another way in. And that’s his story."
She looked over her notes.
"Somehow, I don’t think that’s what the County had in mind for this article. I mean, that’s not what we do."
Roy knew what was coming next, and noted they were just two minutes away from the station. He was thankful for that.
"I mean, this is a dangerous job..." Johnny was in gear.
Izzy cut him off. " No. I disagree. Not the part about it being dangerous. I’ll be here for two weeks - I’m sure I’ll see the dangerous side. But most people know that the job is dangerous. You need to balance it out. I’m trying to write about real life here, not fiction. You’re here to save people, right? Is it any less of a rescue if it’s a scared little kid with his hand stuck somewhere verses pulling someone from a burning building? I think they’re equal - ‘cause they’re both very happy to see you when you show up on scene."
Johnny looked at her, and said nothing. Roy was caught off guard by the silence, and nearly drove past the station.
Izzy couldn’t resist, "You’re not picking up any of Gage’s bad habits? Are you Roy?"
###
Back at the station, the men went about their chores. Izzy went about hers. She followed them around interviewing and photographing them. Very casually, very unobtrusively. Over the next week, she went on almost every run they had. Between runs, she sat on the couch in the rec room going over her notes. On A shift’s days off, she was either at Rampart or headquarters researching and interviewing. She stayed true to her word. She stayed out of their way.
###
Station 51, man trapped - Global Shipping Docks - Warehouse Road corner Walker Street, Warehouse Road corner Walker Street - time out 1345.
A huge loading crane had become stuck over the water. A worker had crawled out in an attempt to fix it. He had lost his footing and fell. He was suspended out over the water by his safety harness.
Captain Stanley assessed the situation with his men and the dock master.
"Sir," turning to the dock master, "can we move that crane in any direction?"
"Just up and down. Part of what Steve was fixing were the controls that allow us to bring her in from over the water," replied the dock master.
"LA, this is Engine 51. We request Fireboat 11 to our location."
"10-4, Fifty-one."
"Roy, John, what if we lower the crane down as far as it can go, and you lower him down into the boat."
"I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work. We should go up and secure him first, before lowering the crane," Johnny suggested, "just in case."
"Good, take a handy talky with you and let us know when you’re ready."
Johnny and Roy boarded the elevator to the crane cockpit. Marco and Chet got the stokes and rest of the gear ready to load onto the fireboat. The paramedics crawled out onto the crane’s arm. Roy secured the lines. Johnny readied himself to go over the edge.
Roy tried to ease the tension with a little humor.
"Can you swim, partner?"
"Yeah, but I don’t really feel like taking a dip today."
"Don’t worry, I’ve got you," and with that, Roy started to lower Johnny down to the victim.
Johnny came along side the man, and secured a safety belt around him. Roy threw down a line, which Johnny secured to the belt.
"Cap, we’re ready. Johnny has secured the victim. We’d like to lower the crane."
The Cap gave the okay to the crane operator, and the engine came roaring to life. Slowly, the crane arm lowered until it was 20 feet above the fireboat. Roy lowered the victim down to the boat and the crew pulled him in.
"Johnny, I’m going to lower you down now," Roy shouted down to Johnny.
Johnny made the okay sign back to Roy.
Suddenly, there was a loud searching sound. The crane jerked. Roy slipped and fell, but he managed to stay on the crane arm.
"Johnny, are you okay?!?" he shouted, while holding on to the line that held his partner.
"I’m fine! Are you okay?!?"
"I’m okay, but your safety line is wedged between some of the gears up here. I can’t lower you down."
Just as suddenly as before, the crane jerked again, this time more violently that before. Johnny’s lifeline was beginning to fray.
"Johnny! Your line’s about to snap!" warned Roy. "Cap. Move the boat! Johnny’s line’s about to give!!!" Roy called into the HT.
And with that, it did. With his arms and legs flailing, Johnny tried to move himself from over the boat to over the water. It wasn’t very graceful but it worked. The dive wasn’t worthy of the Olympics, but it saved his life. Everyone rushed over the side of the dock. It seemed like forever before a gasping, choking Johnny surfaced. The fireboat crew pulled him out. He took a moment to get his breath, and then went straight to work on the victim. He checked the victim’s vitals while the boat pulled up to the dock. The Cap, Chet and Marco were waiting to give him a hand.
"That was some dive, John. Are you sure you’re okay?" asked the Cap as he helped carry the victim to shore.
"Yeah, I just swallowed some sea water."
"You go in and get checked out, as well. How’s the victim?"
"He’s probably got a concussion, but no other injuries that I can tell."
Roy ran over just as soon as the crane elevator touched down.
"Are you okay?" Concern was all over Roy’s face.
"Yeah, good thing I know how to swim, uh partner?" Johnny was ginning. He let Roy off the hook. He saw that Roy was really concerned. "Hey, lighten up. It wasn’t your fault. Now let’s get to work."
Roy was thankful that Johnny was all right. It was close call.
Johnny and Roy both climbed into the ambulance for the ride to Rampart. Chet followed in the squad. Izzy went along with him.
"So, Izzy, where’d you get that turnout coat? They’re pretty hard to come by, I mean, outside of being in the fire department."
"It was a gift." She didn’t elaborate further.
"Well, it must have been from someone with some strings to pull. I tried to get one for one of my nephews and I couldn’t." He looked over to her.
"In my line of work, I get to see things and meet people that the average person on the street wouldn’t. So, yes, they could have pulled some strings. It was a gift. I accepted it, and that’s about it. But remember, Chet, I’m supposed to be asking the questions here. What happened back there? Tell me in your own words." Izzy had turned the conversation around just in time. Chet may have started to ask some difficult questions. She dutifully took notes as he went into his monologue. In no time, they were at Rampart.
"Thanks, Chet. We’ll pick up again back at the station." She closed the squad door just as the engine pulled up to pick up Chet.
Izzy entered through the ambulance entrance and walked up to the nurses' station. Roy was with Dixie, having a cup of coffee.
"So, how’s the victim and Johnny?"
Dixie answered, Roy was still a bit shook up. "Both are fine. The victim has a mild concussion, and Johnny has nine lives. And speaking of the devil…did Morton give you a clean bill of health?"
"Dix, I think he has it out for me. I mean, hey, all I did was swallow some water. No need to poke and prod me."
"Hey, that was some fall, Gage," Izzy interjected. "You could have been seriously hurt."
Johnny’s grin began to grow. "Do I detect a bit of concern in your voice?"
"Yes, that was a quite a fall. You could have hit the boat." Izzy knew where this was going. Just where she wanted it to.
"Well," Johnny was now in perfect form, "you really are concerned about me."
Izzy grinned back, "Yes, I was really concerned about you. Because, ya’ see, Gage, if anything happens to you, they’ll replace you with Brice. And I don’t want that to happen."
The smile was wiped from Johnny’s face. Roy nearly spilt coffee on himself at the mention of Brice’s name.
"How do you know about Brice?" Roy said as he cleaned up his mess.
"How could I not know about Brice. That man is practically stalking me! ‘Do I need any help with the technical details?’, ‘Do I need someone to proof read the story?’, ‘Can I suggest a good shot?’ I have to call ahead whenever I stop by headquarters, to make sure he’s not around. That man’s not human!"
Roy laughed for the first time since Johnny’s plunge. "He’s the walking rule book of the department."
"Please warn me when he’s around, so I can escape." Izzy looked around nervously.
"Well, if I save you from Brice, maybe we could…" Johnny wasn’t giving up.
"Puh-lease, Gage! For God’s sake, show me a little respect." Johnny was starting to get on her nerves. "You know, Gage, I’ve got your entire escapade on film. If you don’t cut it out, I’ll make up a bunch of 8 x 10 color glossies for Dix to hang in the nurses' lounge. See if that won’t cramp your style." Izzy watched his smile fade yet again. ‘When will he learn?’ she thought.
###
The ride back to the station was very quiet. Johnny’s wounded ego was keeping him from saying much. Roy was grateful for the peace and quiet. He knew that it wasn’t his fault that Johnny fell, but it still bothered him a lot. Johnny was going to rib him about it soon enough, but not with Izzy around. He wasn’t going to give her another chance to take him down a notch so soon, and Roy knew it. She really knew how to handle Johnny, and Chet for that matter. He thought about what Chet had observed after they meet her for the first time. How she fit in immediately. Maybe it was just part of her job to handle all different types of people. Maybe it was just that she knew how to handle people like Johnny and Chet. Whatever the reason, he was glad she was riding in the squad right now.
Back at the station, while Johnny grabbed a quick shower, Izzy had her hands full.
"You actually caught the entire fall on film!" Chet was beside himself with glee.
"You bet. I’ll have the photos back tomorrow."
"Guys, I think those pictures may be worth more than a thousand words. Whad’ya think?" Chet was off and running with an idea.
"Now, Chet, don’t you think that’s a bit rough on John?" the Cap asked.
Four voices said ‘no’ simultaneously.
"Come on, Cap, it’s just his ego. It’s not like we’re inflicting any permanent damage. Johnny’s ego could use some deflating every now and again," Chet assured the Captain.
Chet turned to Izzy, "Come on, Izzy, get us some copies…please."
"I’ll think about it, Chet. But what’s in it for me?"
"Putting Johnny Gage in his place," Chet countered.
"She already did that, Chet," Roy spoke up from the sidelines. "You missed it. She got him twice at the hospital. He didn’t say a word all the way back to the station."
The klaxon interrupted them all. It sounded, and sounded, and sounded. Everyone rushed out of the kitchen. Izzy was amazed at this amount of manpower they were calling out. ‘This one’s really big. This one’s going to be different,’ she thought. This one would be different, really different.
###
The abandoned factory was fully involved. Captain Stanley called for a 4th alarm. Men and equipment were everywhere. Thick black smoke filled the air. Flames shot out from the top floor windows. The heat was searing. Lines were pulled to all sides. They had surrounded the building. As they tried to knock down the flames, the water just seemed to explode into steam. Johnny and Roy were pulled from the line they were manning by Captain Stanley.
"GAGE, DESOTO! Over here!" The Cap pointed to a fireman being carried out after being over come by smoke. They went to work. Then another came out, and another. Between them and Squad 116, they had nine smoke inhalation victims, including two that were serious. Then things got worse.
They felt it before they heard it. A low sickening rumble that reverberated through their chests could only mean a collapse. Roy and Johnny locked eyes. There was a rush of men and equipment, and calls over the HT. "Man trapped!" Controlled chaos broke out. Shouts and cries for help filled the air. This was the part Johnny and Roy hated. They had to wait. They couldn’t leave the men they were treating. It seamed like hours before Captain Stanley rushed over to them.
"The façade collapsed. One of Engine 115’s men is caught underneath. What have you got here?"
Roy answered. "Seven non-life threatening, two we have to keep an eye on."
"Gage, you come with me. Roy, stay here."
Johnny grabbed a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope and followed the Captain in.
Engine 115’s men were tearing the pile of rubble apart, in a desperate attempt to free their downed comrade. A good ten minutes had gone by when…
"OVER HERE!"
Johnny ran towards the voice. They had found him. Johnny helped to move the injured firefighter onto the backboard. The injuries would be very serious. He didn’t want to look him over here. He was going to need Roy’s help with this one. Roy met him half way and helped carry the backboard back to the safe area by the squad. The Captain followed close behind and saw what Johnny didn’t.
Johnny shouted. "I can’t find a pulse! He’s not breathing!" as he begun chest compressions. "ROY! ROY! He’s not breathing!!!" John yelled at his partner. "Intubate him!"
Roy had grabbed an airway and was about to intubate, when he froze. The man had no face! The air mask had melted. It had become fused to…
"ROY!"
Roy was white as a sheet. He had seen a lot bad things happen to people, but by far, burns were the most awful. And it was the worse when it was a child or a fireman.
"ROY!!!" Johnny was now screaming at him. He grabbed Roy and shook him hard.
"ROY! COME ON!!!"
Roy met Johnny’s gaze.
"Johnny, I think…"
"NO!!!"
"Johnny. He didn’t…"
"ROY!! HE’S NOT BREATHING!!!"
Captain Stanley stood behind Johnny. Roy looked up at the Captain. The Captain put his hand on Johnny’s shoulder.
"John. John, it’s okay. There’s nothing that we could have done…"
"We didn’t even try!!!"
Roy knew his partner too well. Johnny didn’t admit defeat readily. The Captain and Roy had to physically pull him away from the victim. The Captain sent Johnny over to the rear of the squad to calm down. Roy grabbed a blanket to cover the dead firefighter.
"LA, this is Engine 51. We have a code-f ." Hank’s voice nearly breaking.
10-4 Fifty-one.
It was happening all along, but no one took notice until now. A flash went off. From behind the squad, Johnny caught it out of the corner of his eye. He spun around and exploded.
"WHAT THE HELL…!!!"
The Cap and Roy were on him before he could get very far.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING!!!! Johnny raged at the top of his lungs.
Izzy knew not to answer. She knew Gage wasn’t looking for an answer. Right now he was looking to take a piece out of her. She quickly retreated into the darkness and out of his sight.
###
Izzy rode back in with the engine. Johnny and Roy rode in with the injured firemen. She was glad she didn’t have to ride back between them. She was grateful for the silence.
The engine arrived back to the station. Izzy pulled Cap aside. They spoke so quietly that the rest of the crew couldn’t make out a word. Cap motioned her into his office and the conversation continued behind the closed door.
Back in the kitchen, the men sat quietly. A mix of conflicting emotions filled their heads. Fear, 'it could have been me'. Relief, 'thank God it wasn’t me'. Guilt, 'why wasn’t it me and why wasn’t I there sooner, why couldn't I help'. And confusion, as to what was happening behind those closed door. There were no raised voices that they could hear. The walls were brick, but after what happened, silence wasn’t what they were expecting. Soon, however, they wouldn’t be disappointed.
Izzy came back into the room with the Captain. He was about to say something when the squad backed into the bay. The engine wasn’t even off, when they heard the cab door slam.
Johnny started before he even entered the room.
"WHERE THE HELL IS SHE?!?"
He burst through the doorway. Cap placed himself between Johnny and Izzy, just in case.
"What the hell were you thinking out there?!?"
The Captain stepped in, "John, I think we’re all…"
"No Sir! I’m sorry sir. I thought she’d be different! But she’s like all the rest!" He was practically spitting. "I just don’t believe it! I just don’t believe she did THAT!!!"
Izzy looked at her shoes. She knew she could say nothing that would calm him down. She had to let him vent, and hopefully afterwards she’d be able to explain.
But by now, Johnny had worked himself up good. He was almost apoplectic. He turned to storm out of the room, but not before letting one last barb fly.
"You," he pointed at Izzy, "have no respect for what we do and who we are!"
So much for letting him calm down.
"Respect?!?" Izzy jumped up. "RESPECT! I, have NO respect?!?"
Johnny was just standing there looking at her in disgust. He shook his head and turned away to walk out the door.
"GAGE!!! Don’t tell me about respect! I’ll tell you about respect! I buried two firemen!"
Everyone in the room, except the captain, snapped to attention, including Johnny.
Izzy, her voice now slowly draining of anger, continued.
"I was raised by my dad. He was one of New York’s Bravest. Has was a New York City Fireman. I was the youngest of four kids, and the only girl. I was the apple of his eye. We were very close. He was made captain when I was 10. I was so proud of him, and if it wasn’t for the fact that there weren’t any female firemen, I would have followed him into the department.
One year later, he went into a multi-story structure, much like the one today, to look for two of his men who hadn’t come out. Well…the floor gave way…when they pulled him out, he had 3rd degree burns over 80% of his body. It was a death sentence then, as much as it is now. He held on for two weeks. What I remember of the funeral isn’t much. It was at St. Patrick’s and the mayor, the cardinal were there and a sea of dark blue. Mostly though, it was a blur."
She grabbed the chair and sat down.
If the klaxons sounded now, everyone would have jumped out of their skin.
Johnny sat down too. He pulled up a chair next to her.
She continued, barely above a whisper.
"I have to apologize. There’s something I didn’t tell you - I told the captain, but I asked him not to tell all of you. All my brothers went into the academy and became firemen. So, I pretty much grew up in a firehouse."
"Well that explains how you know about…" Chet was silenced by all the dirty looks.
"Nicky, Sal and Mickey all made captain. Nicky took dad’s place at the station and in our house. He held the family together. Four years ago next week, there was a brownstone fire. Nicky and two of his men went into the abandoned building in the South Bronx. They had a report of people trapped. They went in to look for them. We found out later that the squatters that made the report were high on dope, and that there wasn’t anyone in there. I was told that there was a dull roar, the kind you feel before you hear it. The building collapsed in upon itself. It took them four days to recover my brother’s and his men’s bodies."
She paused and looked Johnny in the eye.
Johnny, as well as everyone else, was speechless. What could anyone possibly say.
"Johnny," she said, using his first name for the first time. "I didn’t mean any disrespect by taking that photo back there. Please understand that. I want to show the job for what it is - not as some romantic piece of fluff. Do you think it would be fair for the article to play the job as place were you guys only save lives? That you never lose any, including your own? If this article inspires someone to join a the fire department or become a paramedic, wouldn’t you want that person fully aware of just how dangerous the job can be? Aware that they could die? Would you want to work next to someone that didn’t understand that? Yes, Johnny, I do have respect for what you do and who you are. It was out of respect I took that photo, and for no other reason."
She stopped, got up, and looked around. ‘Somebody said something please!"
Silence all around.
"Well, once again, I’m sorry…um, I’m done here…I really shouldn’t be taking up anymore of your time."
She turned towards the door. An arm reached out and gently grabbed her arm. She looked at its owner.
Johnny spoke first. "I’m sorry," he learned now why she wouldn’t date firemen, and that was okay with him. But he was hopping that they could be friends.
"You don’t have to apologize. I should have been straight with all of you from the start."
"I’m sorry," he said again.
"No, I’m sorry," she repeated.
"No," he stressed with a small grin. "I’m sorry."
"Okay, okay, okay," Izzy knew it was all okay now. "We’re even. But let me make it up to you all. How ‘bout I take some portrait shots for you to take home for your loved ones? And for you, Johnny, how ‘bout some NYFD pranks to keep Chet in line?"
"Hey! That’s not fair!" protested Chet. "Gage gets East Coast pranks and all I get is a photograph?"
She turned to Chet. "Maybe. Maybe you might get some extra copies of those other photographs," and winked.
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