Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Emerie
“That last call was a doozy, how do you feel about it?” Shane asks as we restock the ambulance.
“Pretty good, actually. I mean, I had a few minutes when I couldn’t get the IV in that I was panicking inside, but once I got it in place and the fluids going, the rest was a piece of cake,” I admit.
“You did well, Emerie. So far, there hasn’t been much I’ve seen that you need improvement on, and in reality, the longer you do the job, the better you get. Not sure if that makes sense, but right now, all the information stored in your brain is warring with what we’ve shown you. Whenever you’re in doubt, if one of us is tied up with another patient, go back to what you learned in classes. There’s nothing you can do that we all haven’t done at some point, and if it’s something that needs to be fixed, we’ll do so and then explain why we did it when we get back. We’ll never correct you in front of a patient. We don’t want them losing confidence in us, but we also don’t want you to feel bad either.”
“Thanks, Shane. I really like the job a lot. It’s definitely different from dispatching calls to actually being on scene to help those in need,” I reply. “Do we need more gauze?” I ask, looking at the bin.
“We always need more gauze,” he teases. “I think that’s the most used item in the rigs.” His laughter rings out as I go to the stock room and grab a couple of boxes of sterilized gauze. “Grab some more of the IV kits as well.”
Nodding, I add several kits to my full arms, and we get them put away just as the tones drop. “Looks like we were just in time,” I say as I hurriedly close the back of the ambulance then hustle to the passenger side door while Shane jumps into the driver’s seat.
“Sounds like it to me, too.” He radios into dispatch that we’re on our way and I mentally prepare myself for whatever we’re about to face.
* * *
“I could sleep for a week,” I murmur as I faceplant on the bunk I’m using during my forty-eight-hour stint. I need food, a shower, and lots of water, but right now, sleep is my priority after the seventeen-car pileup on the parkway. We were one of many ambulances transporting the injured, which ranged from the walking wounded to more critical patients. One even had to be airlifted out but had to be moved via ambulance to the football field because there wasn’t anywhere else for the helicopter to land.
As I drift off to sleep, I realize I haven’t even thought to check my phone. Opening it up, I see multiple texts from Damien. Most are memes he found like he said he would, but there are a few pictures of him and Vinnie ‘working’ around the farm with Dale. His last message is the one that makes my heart swell because he said he was falling in love with my little girl, and he appreciated me allowing him to spend time with her, as well as Levi’s family.
Please just don’t break my heart. I don’t think I could handle having that happen again.
Me: Glad you’re having a good time. Busy day today. Gonna catch some sleep.
Damien: Sweet dreams, Em. Miriam and Dale have me staying out at the farm, so I gave up my motel room.
I don’t reply, sleep already trying to claim me. Instead, as my breathing slows and the sandman does his thing, I smile because that sounds just like something the two of them would do.
* * *
“There’s a lot of downtime,” Irwin, the fire department captain says as he enters the kitchen where Shane and I are cooking breakfast. “But that’s not a bad thing, necessarily. It lets us catch our second wind and ensures that we have the equipment at peak performance.”
“Rig’s already fully stocked and gassed up,” I reply.
Thankfully, no calls came in overnight, so when I woke up, the first thing I did was take a hot shower, then change into a clean uniform. Shane had already gone through and restocked the rig, then we took it out to fill up before we picked up the stuff to make breakfast, as they were out of a few items. As I stir the sausage gravy, the timer for the biscuits goes off. Without missing a beat, I grab the potholder and pull them out, then turn off the oven. Shane’s making pancakes on the griddle, and we’ve already got a mound of sausage links and bacon cooked, as well as a huge bowl of scrambled eggs.
“Damn, we’re hiring her for sure,” Irwin states as he piles his plate high. “We even have fresh fruit and orange juice? Did y’all talk to my wife or something? She’s been on me to eat better.”
I giggle while shaking my head. “No, sir. I’m just used to eating healthy. In fact, I’m pretty sure I can talk Miriam into providing farm fresh eggs for the fire department.”
“So, how much you want for pay?” Irwin asks.
“Whatever the going rate is, sir,” I reply. Granted, I still have this last twenty-four hours to go, but inside, I’m jumping up and down because it sounds like I’ll have a job. It helps, too, that I get along with everyone here; I feel like their equal, not a red-headed stepchild. But I guess that’s small town living for you. Some of them know me because of Levi, of course, as well as Miriam and Dale. None of them have given me shit for Levinia; instead, Shane asks how her chicken is doing, while another of the overnighters, Tobias, wants to see the video of her swimming from one end of the pool to the other without a breath.
Shane snickers then adds, “She should get a bump just for the farm fresh eggs alone. Plus, everything we’re eating today is from scratch, so while most would think it’s not very healthy, it is because it doesn’t have all the extra crap that processed food has.”
Different men come through and fix plates, while I start cleaning up the dirty dishes. “Leave them,” Shane directs. “We need to eat and be ready. Whoever doesn’t go out on the next call will clean the kitchen. If they don’t, Irwin makes them wash all the trucks and our rig.”
“Everyone pulls their weight,” Irwin replies. “Plus, y’all cooked and typically, those who make it don’t clean it.”
“Fair enough,” I state, fixing my own plate. “But whether or not I get the job, I’ll check with Miriam regarding the eggs, because they really are better for you than those dehydrated eggs y’all have been using.”
When I saw those, I told Shane we had to hit up the grocery store. There was no way I was cooking with that crap in a cardboard container. They don’t know it, but I’m about to rock their world if I get the job, because thanks to Mom and Miriam, I’ve got healthy yet hearty recipes I’m willing to make.
“Miriam’s something else,” Irwin mumbles around a mouthful of eggs. At my look, he chews, then swallows and continues. “Went to school with her and Dale. She’s a good woman, that’s for sure, but she doesn’t take any guff off of anyone.”
I laugh and say, “You’re right about that!”
“Heard an old friend of Levi’s is in town,” Tobias interjects, glancing my way to see my reaction.
“Yeah, his best friend during his time in the service, Damien. He was medically discharged after an incident and is finally back in the States. He brought stuff that Levi had in the off-base apartment they had for Miriam and Dale, as well as me.”
“That had to be difficult,” Shane says, glaring at Tobias.
“Yes and no. I knew of Damien, of course, but because he was overseas on a mission, he couldn’t abandon his post and come back for Levi’s funeral. He’s a really nice guy, still healing from his injuries. Right now, he’s out at the farm giving Dale a hand.”
“Girl, you know good and well that Miriam and Dale are probably matchmaking right now,” Irwin retorts, smirking at me.
Seems like I’m today’s recipient of their inquisition. “Most likely. They want me and Levinia to be happy, of course. Not saying it won’t happen, but I literally only met the guy a few days ago, y’all. Let’s not set off wedding bells just yet, okay?”
“Alright, y’all, let’s get this cleaned up. Emerie, can you come to my office?” Irwin asks as everyone starts to stand and clear the table.
I sedately follow behind him because getting called to the captain’s office isn’t something I’ve ever experienced outside of my interview that landed me this internship, and once I’m inside, he closes the door, motions for me to sit down then he heads for his leather chair stationed behind his desk. Once we’re both seated, he looks at me and says, “I wasn’t kidding about that job offer, Emerie. You’ve done well on your ride alongs and are a team player, which is something we need around here. All the crews you’ve worked with have raved about your knowledge and skills, as well as your willingness to learn new things.”
“You were serious?” I ask, flabbergasted, as I let out the breath that I did not realize I was holding.
“As a heart attack,” he confirms. “The starting salary is sixty thousand a year, plus of course, benefits, which include health insurance, life insurance, and short as well as long term disability. I won’t presume to tell you what to do in regard to your finances, but I highly suggest you obtain the disability insurance. While it doesn’t happen often, the possibility always exists that you could get injured while on the job and depending on the severity of your injury, it would mean you still get paid.”
“I need to put my notice in for my dispatching job,” I murmur as my thoughts swirl in my head.
“You’ll have time for that because we have to wait until you receive your actual licensure and certification, but in the meantime, I want you to think about it and let me know as soon as possible, okay?” he questions.
“I’ll tentatively say yes,” I reply, “but before I start, I won a contest my bank had and I’m planning a vacation of sorts with Levinia to a water park.”
He starts laughing then says, “I have no problem with that, just please wear your sunscreen because otherwise, the guys will call you ‘Lobster’ and it’ll stick.”
I snicker because I’ve heard some of the not so flattering names they call each other. So far, I’ve been fortunate for one to not catch on when it comes to myself, but I’d prefer not to be called Lobster for the rest of my career. “I promise, we’ll both be protected from the sun. I’m kind of excited actually, because I asked Damien to come with us and he said yes.”
“It’ll be a good way for the two of you to get to know each other,” he replies. “Now, your shift is over so get on out of here and be sure to let me know once you have your documents in hand and whether or not you want the job I’ve offered you.”
“Will do, Captain. Thank you,” I say as I stand up to leave.
He snaps his fingers as if he’s forgotten something, so I stop my process of leaving and wait for him to tell me what just entered his mind. “Oh and take lots of pictures because I definitely want to see Vinnie as she goes down some of those slides.”
“I always do,” I murmur behind a hidden smile. Because of Levi’s death, I pretty much document everything when it comes to our daughter and I also make sure I’m in pictures as well so in the event something should ever happen to me, she’ll have memories to look back on with fondness.