by Gina Austin
“10-4 engine 43. Will advise on confirmation, over.” The emergency dispatch operator said.
“Copy that.” Captain Miller replied.
A crowd of spectators had already formed in the area. The trucks stopped and we all got out. Susan asked James to start filming as they followed the Captain. “Alex, check the folks in car # 1; see if they need any medical attention. Troy, do the same for car #2. Mike get the cutter; Nick your with me,” the captain said as they walked to the 3rd vehicle sitting on the train tracks.
“Please step away from the vehicle and off the tracks.” Nick told the onlookers as they approached the car. It was an older couple, probably in their early sixties who were driving a small economy car. The captain asked Nick to check the passenger while he spoke to the driver. The driver didn’t wait for the captain to ask anything. “I can’t move at all. My legs are pinned” The driver said.
“Captain Miller, Chicago fire department. We’ll get you and you wife out of there in a moment sir.”
Nick looked at the captain and said, “She’s got a pulse but not responding.”
“Check for gas leakage.” The captain said.
Troy reported, “Folks in car #1 checked out fine, just shaken up.”
“Good. Grab the 2nd cutter and bring it here.” The captain said.
“No gas leakage. We’re good for the cutters.” Nick said.
“Sir, You’re going to hear some loud sounds in a moment. That’s just us cutting the doors to get you both out. OK?” The captain asked the driver.
“Alright.” The driver said.
Captain motioned for Mike to start cutting the door frame on the passenger side when a bad situation had suddenly become much more complicated.
HORN, HORN
A freight train was heading there way but because the tracks were at an angle, there was no way the train conductor would be able to see them until it was too late. Captain Miller immediately grabbed his radio, “Dispatch, this is engine company 43. Inform the train dispatcher to stop all trains on this track. We have a car on the tracks.”
“Company 43. Unable to reach train dispatcher at this time.” The emergency dispatcher said.
Fire truck #1 was the closest and so was Troy. The captain yelled, “Troy, forget the 2nd cutter and grab the winch. Hook it up to the rear frame of the car. Fast! While Troy did what the captain ordered he told Mike to clear all the onlookers from behind Truck #1. He then ordered Nick to get into Truck #1 and rewind the winch on his signal.
Throughout the rescue attempt, James had been filming. When Susan overheard that the train dispatcher couldn’t be reached she grabbed James’s arm to get his attention and she pointed to where she wanted him to stand and film. Getting a wide angle view of truck #1 on the left side, the car that needed rescuing on the right and the view of the freight train that would be appearing shortly. Her heart beating rapidly, Susan feared tremendously for the couple in the car.
HORN, HORN
That train was sounding closer thought Nick. “All done captain!” Troy yelled.
HORN, HORN
Standing next to Truck # 1, the captain gave Nick the signal to reverse the winch. It was working but not fast enough. The winch was straining. The front portion of the car still remained on the tracks.
“Nick, lock the winch.” The captain yelled.
HORN, HORN, HORN, HORN
Turning the bend of the tracks, the train conductor saw the catastrophe that lay ahead and immediately pulled the brake lever to stop. Hearing the sound of screeching steel as the train attempted to stop, all the train conductor could do was close his eyes and wait for impact. There wasn’t enough length on the tracks to stop in time.
“Reverse now.” The captain yelled.
Flooring the gas on Truck # 1, Nick pulled the car off the track immediately with the freight train narrowly missing the car’s front bumper.
“Tell me you got all that?” Susan asked.
“I got it! I can’t believe how close that was. The news stations going to love this.” James said in relief.
The captain went to check on the trapped driver and asked, “Are you OK?”
“Yes. Thank you. Can you get us out now?” the driver asked.
“Absolutely.” The captain said. “Troy, Mike, cut them out.”
Jumping out of truck #1, Nick looked at Susan who seemed to be a few shades lighter in her face and smiled at her. Susan walked towards him with her hand over her heart and letting out a sigh of relief, stated she was glad that was over. When she was in front of him she said, “What an adrenaline rush! That was fantastic! You were fantastic!”
Nick replied, “I love it! Now you know why I do this for a living.”
Chapter 21
It was 3pm when they all got back to the station house. Nick got the OK from the captain to get started on cooking early since he wanted to cook something special for Susan and James, but he mostly wanted to impress Susan. Pulling out a large pot from the fire house kitchen cabinet, Nick began to prepare the ingredients for his home made tomato sauce. She’s going to love this.
Susan was downstairs in the garage interviewing the guys one by one as they became available. About 3 hours later, she decided to take a break and go upstairs to visit Nick. As she approached the kitchen she saw Nick squat in front of a bottom cabinet. She admired how his jeans stretched tight around his thighs. Stop that before someone notices she thought. Hearing footsteps approaching, Nick turned around, thankful it was Susan as his heartbeat quickened at the sight of her contagious smile.
“Never had a chance to ask you when we first started this morning; How’s it feel to be back on duty?” Susan asked.
“Feels great. Although I’m a bit out of practice here in the kitchen but it’ll come back to me.”
“I’m sure it will. The other guys don’t call you the master chef for nothing. Whatever you’re cooking smells wonderful.”
“Perfect timing to try my home made sauce.”
Nick brings over a wooden spoon with tomato sauce. Placing his hand under the spoon, he raises it up to Susan’s mouth. Susan tasted the sauce and all Nick can think about was how he wished his lips and not the spoon was connecting with her moist full lips right now. Susan closed her eyes and with a low whisper says, “Mm hmm, that may be the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
Whispering to Susan, “Just wait to see how it tastes with the chicken and pasta.” Realizing this is the closest she’s ever been face to face with Nick, she asks, “Hopefully this won’t be the last time I try one of your meals?”
“Just come back when I’m on shift and it won’t.” Losing herself in Nick’s light brown eyes that were almost translucent and at the moment contained an intensity that she never saw before. Nick returned the gesture by admiring her hazel eyes and sensing her contentment when they were standing so close to each other. Unfortunately all things end when abruptly they were both snapped out of their mutual gaze.
“Hey master chef, Hello Susan.” Alex interrupted, “When’s dinner ready? I’m starving”
Nick answered, “In another 15 minutes.” Bad timing Alex
***
After dinner, Nick walked Susan out of the firehouse.
“Thanks for that wonderful dinner and for letting me copy your recipes. I’ll get them back to you as soon as I can.”
“Guard that book with your life, it’s an original”.
“I see the lasagna has 5 stars, your favorite?”
“Amy’s favorite actually and the last dinner I ever cooked for her.”
“I’m so sorry Nick.”
“No need to be. It’s OK. For the first time in a long while I can actually say and mean it. I’m going to be just fine. I’m excited for what the future has in store for me.”
“That’s good to hear. I’m sure Amy would be happy to know that you’re moving on with your life, wherever and whoever you choose to share it with.”
“So when’s your next shift so I can have one of y
our wonderful meals again?”
“I’ll be on Friday.” Nick said.
“I’ll ask the captain if I could make my final filming day on Friday instead of Wednesday.”
“Look forward to seeing you then.” Nick said softly.
They looked deeply at each other again but Susan snapped out of it quickly. She didn’t want to be led by her emotions but it was clear to her that what she could have with Nick could blossom into something wondrous. She also knew in her heart that Tom was a good man, even if he prized money and prestige above all else. Nevertheless she made a choice to marry Tom and felt it was too late to back out. Susan felt trapped.
Nick had a fierce desire to kiss her but he didn’t want to cross the line. She was in a committed relationship and completely unavailable. Being the gentleman that he was, he immediately pulled out his open hand to shake Susan’s goodnight. Susan looked at his hand, grabbed it and took a deep sigh while looking up at his eyes. Nick then covered her hand with his other looking into her eyes as well, tilted his head slightly to the right and smiled at her.
Instantly Susan heard the voice of her father. The same words she dreamt when she was unconscious in the ambulance the night of the fire. The night she first met Nick. Her father’s gentle voice reminding her, “Wake up to the wonderful things I have in store for you.”
Noticing that Susan’s eyes widened and looked away suddenly as if remembering something, he asked her, “Everything OK?”
Releasing her hand from Nicks, she said, “Yes. Just fine. I just remembered something that’s all. Anyway, see you Friday. Have a goodnight.”
“Goodnight Susan.”
***
“Where have you been? It’s not like you to be late!” Tom said angrily.
“I’m truly sorry. I lost track of time and the special fire station segment I’m filming went longer than normal. Firefighters just don’t have 9 to 5 jobs.”
Well you do! I’d appreciate some thoughtfulness on your part if you have to cancel our dinner plans.”
Your right Tom. I should’ve called and I didn’t. As I said before, I truly am sorry.
I don’t know what’s going on with you but the Susan I knew before the fire was a person of integrity. When she said she was going to do something, THAT SUSAN DID IT!”
Not giving into Tom’s anger, Susan responded calmly, “Sounds like you’re not going to forgive me tonight on this, and that’s Ok. If you want to hold onto your temper tantrum, go ahead. I promise you, it won’t do you any good. Regarding your comment about my integrity; it’s very much intact so I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Susan responded compassionately.
“You’re just so different now. We wanted the same things before and now..” Tom hesitated.
“And now I don’t want the same things.” Susan finished Tom’s statement but he remained silent.
“You wouldn’t be wrong. I don’t want the same things as you do. I believe it would be really wise for both of us to take some time and reflect on that truth. What do you think? Susan asked.
“I think we shouldn’t be too hasty now.” Tom said
“I agree. That’s why we both need to take a step back and reflect so let’s take a few days to really think seriously of how we want our future to look like. Ok? Susan asked.
That’s fair. I’m heading out to Cleveland tomorrow afternoon and I should be back in about 2 or 3 days. I’ll call you when I get back.” Tom replied coolly.
“Ok goodnight.”
Chapter 22
Tuesday morning during cleaning duty at the fire house, the first call had come in. It was a medical call for an elderly woman in her late 60’s. The firefighters who were assigned to paramedic duty on today’s shift were Everson and Deckard. This was the first time Susan had met them since her initial visits to the Logan Square Fire Station. She made a note to interview them when they all got back to the station. Unfortunately the call turned out to be a false alarm as the woman mistakenly triggered her medical alert system. Susan was pleasantly surprised that everyone was professional and didn’t complain about the call being a false alarm. One of the firefighters admitted when false alarms occurred, it was a great opportunity to view it as an inspection drill.
They were returning back to the fire station when another medical call came. A care taker coming in for her morning shift found the elderly couple, who were both in their early 80’s, responding sluggish and nauseous. As the paramedics arrived, they found the caretaker sitting on the front steps of the one story residence. She walked the paramedics into the house. Susan and James stayed outside waiting for additional information on the call.
Checking the vitals of the unconscious couple, the paramedics also began feeling the same symptoms within minutes. Quickly opening all the windows and doors, Everson and Deckard hurried to get the elderly couple and caretaker outside. Everyone that had entered the home, were exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Further investigation found that after returning home and parking his Buick in the attached garage, the elderly husband forgot to turn off the ignition. By the time the caretaker arrived for work, the Buick’s gas tank had already emptied filling the house with the invisible, poisonous fumes.
Captain Miller explained to Susan and James how this was a perfect example of how one can have years of experience and still learn something new on the job. “Normally when answering a carbon monoxide call, the paramedics will enter the location with their respiratory gear on but they didn’t in this case since no one smelled exhaust from the Buick and no carbon monoxide detector was ever installed to alarm them. Another example of how firefighters never really know what situation they’ll face when on a call.” The captain said.
Following up on the story later that evening, Susan confirmed that the elderly couple survived, as they went through a similar but longer treatment than firefighters Everson and Deckard. The elderly couple had to undergo eight hours of high-flow oxygen treatment, the paramedics, five hours. After a few days of headaches, everyone was back to normal.
Chapter 23
On Thursday, Susan and Liz were in the patio area of Starbuck’s. Liz was counting the invitations of those that would be attending Susan’s wedding. Liz said, “Once we get an idea of how many people are coming then we can talk about the seating plan.”
Susan wasn’t even paying attention to what Liz was saying. Noticing that Susan’s thoughts were far away, Liz tried to get her attention.
“I just found out Joe and I won the $100 million lottery.” Liz said with no response from Susan.
“So Joe and I discussed it and we agreed on having 10 kids.” Still no response but Liz was enjoying this.
“So we both decided to sell everything and move down to South America.” Having lost her patience Liz tapped Susan on the shoulder and once Susan looked at her, she said. “Welcome back to planet Earth. Did you enjoy your trip?”
“I’m sorry Liz what were you saying? I’m a little distracted.”
“More than a little I think. What’s wrong?”
“The wedding date is getting closer and I’m really getting nervous.”
“Ahh...you’ve got the bride-to-be blues.”
“You think?”
“Sure, I was a wreck before my wedding don’t you remember.”
“Oh yes I remember.”
Liz takes a moment to look at Susan and says, “I want you to know regardless what happens, before, during and after your wedding day; I am always here for you. Susan breathes a sigh of relief. Oh Liz, if you only knew of the doubt I’m struggling with and the man who has unknowingly captured my heart.
***
Susan can’t stop thinking of Nick as she views the edited video of his fire house interview. Every time she looks at Nick’s face or even thinks about him, she hears her father’s voice in her head, “Trust me now and wake up. Wake up to the wonderful things I have in store for you.” Susan reaches the point that she can’t ignore her father’s words any longer. Su
san thought, “Dream or not; daddy wants me to be with Nick. That’s what it has to mean. This can’t be coincidence. I never hear daddy’s voice when I’m with Tom only with Nick.” Knowing in her heart what she has to do but still having thoughts of fear and confusion, she hears her father’s voice again saying, “Don’t be afraid Susan. I’m in your heart. Always have been and nothing can ever keep me away.”
***
I’m on shift tomorrow and it’ll probably be the last time I see her sweet face. Nick wonders. Knowing the next time he sees her, she’ll be married. I wish I was the guy marrying her.”