|
| |||
| |||
|
|
| ||||
|
|
| Page Fourteen |
|
Upon reaching his destination, Kel approached his office with grim determination. With greater force than was necessary, he flung the door open. Brent sat in one of the leather-upholstered chairs in front of the imposing desk. Pasting a smile on his face, Kel addressed his father. “Hey, Dad. Are you ready to head to the Doctor's Lounge?” Brent shrugged his shoulders. “In a minute. I thought we could talk first.” The younger Brackett nervously laughed. “You sound like a typical shrink. You guys always want to talk.” “Spoken like a true surgeon. Always wanting to plunge right into things.” “Dad…” “It’s okay,” Brent said. “Obviously we each have our own talents.” An uncomfortable silence ensued. Feeling like a world-class jerk for his behavior earlier, Kel cleared his throat. “Dad, I’m sorry for that little stunt in the OR. It was immature and uncalled for. You just caught me off guard, that’s all.” “I know. But when you invited me to watch you work, you didn’t plan on me ambushing you either.” “I did assume it would be under more controlled circumstances,” Kel admitted. Leaning back in his chair, Brent said, “I had an opportunity to speak with a couple of your biggest fans this evening.” “Oh?” “The paramedics that work with the firefighter you operated on. I believe their names were Roy and Johnny?” Kel smiled broadly. “They were one of the first teams I trained. I wasn’t a huge supporter of the program initially. Oh, to be honest, I was vehemently against it. I thought it was dangerous and essentially amounted to practicing medicine without a license. But eventually I came around and became one of the program’s staunchest defenders. We cleared some substantial legislative hurdles and funding crises, and now I can’t imagine how we managed pre-hospital care without our paramedics.” “They were quite effusive in their praise,” Brent commented. “You certainly have earned their respect. You’re more than a mentor to these men.” Suddenly embarrassed, Kel joked, “Well, perhaps they may not feel so charitable when it’s time for their annual performance evaluations.” “Seriously, Kel. That says a great deal about your character. I would be immensely flattered if someone thought that highly of me.” “But Dad, you’re well respected in your field…” “It’s not the same,” Brent lamented. “So what if I’ve published extensively? Other than impressing a handful of snobbish colleagues and adding a few lines to my Curriculum Vitae, I haven’t accomplished anything of lasting significance.” Kel rubbed his temple. First there was the strange confession in the restaurant, and now there was a melancholy tone to his father’s last remark. This was proving to be an interesting evening. Staring at the carefully arranged bookcase, Brent continued. “Based on the hospital grapevine, I expected you to be arrogant and overbearing, and thought your employees would cower in your presence. Instead, I discovered you’re merely passionate about your life’s calling. In retrospect, I can see your career choice wasn’t an act of parental defiance. This is what you were meant to do.” “I can’t imagine doing anything else, Dad. I feel complete here.” “Yes, I can see that now.” Resting his elbows on his desk, Kel asked, “Dad? Don’t you think we need to forgive ourselves too?” Brent raised a questioning eyebrow. “What?” |
 |
 |
 |
|
“Don’t get me wrong. Forgiving each other is a significant step in the right direction in putting our relationship back on track, but it isn’t going to help if we’re consumed with guilt over past offenses.” The elder Brackett buried his face in his hands. “That’s easier said than done. You don’t have a constant reminder of your mistakes.” “I don’t understand,” Kel said. “Your mother isn’t the same person anymore. She blames me for tearing her family apart. Scarcely a day goes by that I’m not reminded of my failures as a father. You have no idea what it’s like to go home every day, knowing your presence is barely tolerated.” “So when you moved to Los Angeles…” “I was not only trying to reestablish communi- cation with you, I was trying to save my marriage,” Brent finished. “Wow,” Kel exclaimed. “I had no idea. Mom always sounds okay when I talk to her.” “Of course, she would,” Brent snorted. “You’re her precious baby, even if you are forty-two years old. She still wants to protect you from all of the unpleasant things in life.” “Oh, man. I really messed up, didn’t I? I must have broken her heart when I left home.” “She was pretty upset with both of us,” Brent pointedly added. “You’re not entirely at fault.” Kel was furious with himself. He was so anxious to escape his domineering father, he never considered the effect his departure would have on this mother. During telephone conversations, she always sounded so cheerful. Now it was apparent because of the power struggle between the two men, his mom had been cruelly deprived of the most cherished relationships in her life. “Do you think she’ll ever be able to forgive me?” Kel asked earnestly. “Hah! You’re completely blameless as far as she’s concerned. I’m the heartless…well, you get the idea.” “That’s not fair. It was ultimately my decision. I could have handled the situation better,” Kel reasoned. “Hindsight is always crystal clear, son,” Brent replied. “At the time, you were so blinded by your contempt for me, I doubt you could have arrived at any other solution. Besides, as much as I hate to admit, I was relieved to see you go. After years of yelling and screaming, I looked forward to having some quiet time with your mother.” The younger man attempted a feeble grin. “I assume that was a case of be careful of what you wish for?” “Absolutely. Your mother didn’t speak to me for weeks. The situation deteriorated to the point where we separated for a couple of months.” “You’re kidding!” As Kel looked across his desk, he realized the man sitting opposite him was a stranger. It was difficult to comprehend this was someone he once shared his dreams and aspirations with. Was it his imagination, or did his father age a little bit more each time he shared another humbling personal secret? |
 |
 |
|
“So how are you two doing now?” Kel inquired. Running his fingers across his chin, Brent responded, “We’re managing. We’ve settled into a comfortable routine here, and she’s made new friends. But hardly a day goes by that she doesn’t ask about you. She wants to know if I’ve seen you, do you look well, how is your career doing…that sort of thing. Mainly she wants to know why I haven’t marched into your office and thrown myself at your mercy.” Mentally evaluating the available floor space, Kel said, “I don’t know, Dad. Perhaps there’s a spot over here where prostration might be an option.” A chuckle was heard from across the room. “I’ve groveled enough for one evening. We’re overdue for a cup of coffee.” As Brent rose from his chair, Kel motioned for him to sit down. “Wait a minute, Dad. I want to make a phone call.” “Can’t it wait until tomorrow? It’s late.” “That’s the problem. I’m hoping it’s not too late,” Kel explained. Puzzled, Brent sat back down. “Who are you calling?” “I want to call Mom.” “At this hour?” Jolted to reality, Kel pushed the phone back to the corner of his desk. “You’re right. I don’t know what got into me. Besides, I don’t even have the number on me.” Moved by the haunted expression in his son’s eyes, Brent sighed. “Do you have a pen?” “No…she’s probably already in bed. I’ll call her later.” His father seized control of the phone and dialed the familiar number. Thrusting the receiver into Kel’s hands, Brent quietly left the room. With each ring, Kel’s heart rate accelerated. His mouth felt incredibly dry. Oh, this was ridiculous, he thought. He was a grown man calling his own mother. It wasn’t like he was a gawky teenager asking the prom queen out for a date! The ringing stopped and was replaced by a gentle voice. Summoning his courage, Kel tentatively said, “Mom? It’s Kel…” ------------------------------------------ |
 |
 |
|
********************************* From :rosanne iho <irosanne@yahoo.com> Subject : [EmergencyTheaterLive] It looked like a man.. Date : Sat, 14 Dec 2002 13:39:53 -0800 (PST) It was Chet Kelly's first day back to work. In the rec' room of Los Angeles County Fire Station 51, six firemen sat huddled in front of a TV set, watching the Dodgers and the Padres battling it out in the first game of a double-header. They cheered, as Dodger's pitcher, Don Sutton, struck out the Padres-- one, two, three. The Dodgers came to bat. First baseman, Steve Garvey, hit a single. Outfielder, Dave Lopes, also singled. Sutton walked. With the bases loaded--and no outs --Dodger slugger, Dusty Baker, stepped up to the plate. "There's the wind up...and the pi--!" the announcer began, only to be drowned out by the Station's alarm. There was a group groan. "Squad 51..." the dispatcher declared, and the Station's Engine Crew untensed. Paramedics John Gage and Roy DeSoto groaned again and started heading for the garage. "Child down...Wonder Wheels Park...Three and one half miles east on Dart Lane...Then, two and a quarter miles south on Ridgeway Road...Take the first left on Coolidge...It's the fourth driveway on the right...Caller advises you go in the second gate..." "Got it, L.A...." John acknowledged, when he finished his jotting. "10-4, Squad 51..." a rather relieved relayer came back, "Ambulance responding...Time out...17:03" "Squad 51, KMG-365," the fireman further acknowledged. He replaced the radio, snatched up their copy of the call slip and raced around the rescue squad. "We'll start with east on Dart Lane," he proposed, piling into the passenger's seat and pulling on his helmet. His partner nodded his approval of the plan. ############################## Eight minutes of masterful map-reading later, DeSoto drove through the second gate at Wonder Wheels Park and cut the sirens. "Squad 51...cancel," their radio announced. Squad 51's occupants stared down at the dashboard in disbelief. "We may as well check it out," Roy determined, "After all the trouble we went through to get here." Gage nodded in agreement and grabbed the mic'. "L.A., Squad 51. We are at the scene and intend to follow through with the call." "Roger that, 51..." DeSoto parked the Squad at the edge of an enormous concrete lot. He and his partner exited the cab and started strolling off in the direction of a movie crew, filming skate boarding stunts. They watched--in wide-eyed wonder--as a young skate boarder went flying off the end of a three foot ramp, spun twice around and landed gracefully back onto the lot--still on her skate board! Seeing as how they were being completely ignored, Roy cleared his throat and queried, "Did somebody call the Fire Department?" "I'm okay...Honest!" the girl insisted, as she came rolling up. "It's just a little 'road rash'..." she added, and pointed to her scraped and bleeding knees. "You sure you're not seriously hurt?" Gage grilled her. The little lady rolled her eyes and motioned towards the concrete lot. "Did that look like I was seriously hurt?" "Looks can be deceiving," Roy reminded the girl. "Why don't we check you out real quick...just to be sure." The film's director stepped between the paramedics and his star. "If the kid says she's okay--she's okay! Pam's a Pro!" The thirteen-year-old nodded, defiantly. "You didn't hit your head, did you?" Roy's still-worried partner wondered. Pam gave Gage another roll of her eyes and shook her pretty little head 'no'. John sighed. "Well...since you won't let us examine you...I...uh...guess we'll be getting back to the Station. And, you can get back to..." he glanced down at the skate board, "...that." The girl gave herself a push and went rolling off across the lot. "Shouldn't she be wearing a helmet?" DeSoto, the Dad, wondered aloud. Pamela's Producer completely ignored the pesky paramedic. "All right, Kiddo...How about a backward somersault with a reverse handstand?" The young 'Pro' picked up speed. |
 |
 |
|
The two firemen exchanged alarmed looks and then watched, in amazement, as Pam flipped herself back over into a somersault. The little lady landed in a crouched position, threw her feet up into the air and went gliding by--standing on her hands! As she turned her board around and went sailing by for a second time, she flashed the camera a beautiful, upside-down smile. The paramedics released their held breaths and began heading for their rescue squad. "If this is a sample of what people are gonna be doing at Wonder Wheels Park," Gage grumbled, "Something tells me we're gonna be coming here...quite often." "After a week or two," DeSoto glumly concurred, "we'll know the way by heart." They climbed back into their truck's cab. John thumbed the radio mic'. "L.A., Squad 51 available...Returning to quarters." "Roger, 51..." ########################### DeSoto backed the Squad into Station 51's parking bay. The paramedic team piled out and sprinted into the rec' room. "What happened after we left?" Gage asked the guys who were still huddled in front of the television, watching the game. |
|
| |||
| |||
|
|
| |
 |
|
| ||||
| ||||
|
|