By:
Melisa Read
Kel sat by Dixie’s bedside in ICU. Tonight had been a very rough and emotional night for him. He was thinking that it was pure luck that Dixie and Tina, their newly adopted daughter, didn’t die. He had some fireman to thank when he had a chance. Dixie started to stir. He smiled down at her, stroked her hair and then held her hand gently squeezing it. Looking at her with love he said “Hey there, its about time you woke up.” Dixie looked around slowly realizing that she was in the hospital. Then she remembered the night’s events and tears started to flow. “Hey love, its OK.” Kel tried reassuringly. “Kel where is Tina, how is she?” “Joanne took her home. She had some bumps and bruises but otherwise she was OK. Roy called her and they both agreed that she could stay at their house for a couple of days. I hope that’s OK?”
Dixie nodded OK and then looked at Kel and his hands. “Kel your hands!” “I’m OK, really. I received some 1st degree burns on the right hand and a slight sprain on the left. I also got a few bruised ribs and as you can see I am in hospital attire also. I apparently was knocked out but no concussion, plus smoke inhalation, but Joe going to keep me here in a room this evening and possibly tomorrow. You have a broken leg, a slight concussion, a broken rib, smoke inhalation and a few small burns on your hands that Joe said would heal up quickly, but he said that it would be at 3 to 4 days before you would go home.” “Kel what about the house?” “Well, good news on that. According to Hank there was really only minimal damage to the house. It’s fixable. It will be probably a month, maybe two before we can get back in the house. In the meantime we have some wonderful people who have agreed to help us out. Johnny said that we can stay at his ranch until the repairs are finished.” Dixie closed her eyes for a minute and Kel noticed she had tears forming at the edges. Dixie opened her eyes and let the tears come. After a minute or two she spoke.
“So it was 51 that responded. I thought I heard John and Roy but wasn’t really sure. “Yea it was 51 and I will say this we will remember our 4th wedding anniversary and the 1 year anniversary of our adoption of Tina for a long time” Kel said in a joking but loving tone. “I am so tired Kel.” Dixie said as her eyes were trying to stay open. “Sweetheart go to sleep. I will be here when you wake up.” Before Dixie could respond a friendly voice behind Kel saying “No you will not, you are going to bed. The nurses will keep an eye on her.” Dixie giggled because the look on Kel’s face was priceless. Kel turned around in his wheelchair slowly and looked up at Joe. “Joe” he started, but he got no further. “Kel there is no sense in arguing. Dixie get some sleep and I will bring your stubborn husband back to you in the morning so you can have breakfast together.”
Kel realized he was beaten. He stood up carefully and bent over with some pain and gave Dixie a kiss. “I love you. Get some sleep and I will see you in the morning.” “I love you too Kel. See you in the morning.”
Joe pushed Kel’s wheelchair down to his room. They didn’t have to go too far. Joe arranged it so Kel was in a room next to ICU. He knew that way Kel would probably rest easier being near Dixie. Joe noticed Kel was really quiet. So when they got to Kel’s room he asked “Are you sure you are OK? I can give you something to help you sleep if you want?” Kel pondered this and thoughtfully said “No, but thanks for asking. I don’t think sleep will ever be able to erase tonight’s events.” Kel was quiet for a few minutes. Joe realized that Kel didn’t want to talk so he helped Kel settle in bed. Kel was grateful for the help. He was exhausted. “Kel, I have some rounds to make, but if you need me get the nurses to page me, OK?” “Thanks Joe.” After Joe left Kel lay in bed thinking over the days events. What a day it had been.
It was the start of a beautiful day. Kel and Dixie had the day off because it was their 4th wedding anniversary. They also had something else to celebrate. Tina had officially been their daughter for one year. It was still a little early so Kel and Dixie were laying in the bed talking quietly. Dixie was telling Kel about her conversation with Tina the night before. “She asked me why we adopted. I explained to her that we wanted a child and when we couldn’t have one the natural way we decided to adopt. Kel she asked me the craziest question. She wanted to know why we wanted her a full grown child and not a baby?” Kel asked, “What did you tell her.” “I explained that we asked the agency for a healthy child and we didn’t specify either way. I told her that we had been told about her parents and we were asked if we wanted to meet you. We immediately said yes. Kel when I told that we felt something of a bond after just being with her for a short time, she started crying. She told me she felt something of the same thing. Tina told me that she felt lucky that we picked her to be our child. She hugged me and said I am so thankful that you are my parents. She really has grown up in the 2 years. It’s so hard to believe that she is only 9.” Kel held Dixie in his arms. He kissed her, then said in a thoughtful tone “You know we have been lucky. One you and I finally got our act together and got married. My dad and I are closer now than when I was a child. And now we have a little girl who is ours, and who is dependent on us and loves us. It’s tragic that she had to come to us later in life, but I love her just as much.” Kel kissed Dixie saying, “we better get out of bed.”
The day flew by. Neal took his Granddaughter to see a movie so Kel and Dixie could get the house ready for the celebration. Neal and Tina came back around 2pm. Tina was so surprised that her parents included her in their celebration of their wedding. “Honey why would that surprise you. We love you and are so glad that you are our daughter” Kel asked her. With tears in her eyes she couldn’t say anything, but the hug she gave Kel spoke volumes. Joe, Mike, Johnny and Sharon his girlfriend of six months, Roy, Joanne and the kids were all there. Around 6pm Joe and Mike excused themselves along with Johnny and Roy who had to go to work. Joanne took Sharon home. At 7pm Kel drove his father to the Airport. Dixie was helping Tina get ready for bed. Actually they were having fun cutting up and goofing around. Finally Dixie told Tina she needed to get ready for bed since she was going on an overnight trip with some friends the next morning.
Tina was just getting to sleep when she heard her dad come into the room. He fixed her covers around her and leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Night Daddy, I l love you” “I love you to short stuff (his nickname for her)”
He and Dixie both decided to go to bed early. It had been a long day. They talked for a little bit and then drifted off to sleep. Something woke Kel up. He sat up with a start. “Kel, what’s wrong?” Dixie asked sleepily. “Dixie get up. The house, it’s on fire.” With that he was out of the bed. He called the fire department. When he opened the door to their bedroom he realized they were in trouble. “Oh My GOD KEL! How are we going to get out?” The fire was coming up the front stairs. Kel was trying to keep his head. He got wet towels. He put one around Dixie. Told her to start down the back stairs. She started to argue, but he stopped her “Go, I am going to get Tina. Move it.” Then he heard Tina. “Daddy, Mother, HELP ME!” Kel picked her up. She had gotten out of the bed and made her way to the hall, but got scared and couldn’t move. He wrapped the wet towel around her and they both started down the back stairs that would take them to freedom. At the bottom of the stairs Dixie was on the ground unconscious. She apparently fell down the steps. Tina screamed but somehow Kel got her out of the house. He vaguely heard sirens and someone screaming his name. He didn’t pay any attention. He ran back into the house. He had to get Dixie. He couldn’t lose her. Just as he got to her he felt something hit him and then blackness surrounded him.
“Johnny, he’s coming around.” “Kel can you hear me?” Kel came too, with an oxygen mask on. He was trying to take it off. “No Kel leave it on. You inhaled a lot of smoke. Just lie still for me. I need to get you cleaned up and get some vitals.” He was trying to say something, but kept coughing. Roy patted him on the shoulder. “Kel, Dixie is fine and so is Tina. Try to relax. We are contacting Rampart.” Kel nodded understanding. He tried to listen as Johnny called Rampart.
“Rampart this Squad 51 do you read?” Joe Early’s anxious voice came over the bio-phone speaker “Ten Four 51 we read you loud and clear.” Joe had been waiting an eternity it seemed. He and Mike had been manning the Base Station when the fire department issued Station 51 and Engine 36 to a fire at a home. They both recognized the address. “Rampart we have three victims of a house fire. Be advised that it’s The Brackett’s.” “51 we heard the address over the scanner. We realized whose house it was. Proceed please.” Realizing they all had to play it by the book Johnny proceeded. “Ten-four Rampart. 1st victim is a female aged 9. She has some bruises and bumps no apparent injuries. She was victim of smoke inhalation. She has received O2 on the scene. 2nd victim is a female age 42. She was unconscious when rescued. Was out maybe ten minutes. She has been semi-conscious since then. She has the following injuries: Broken right femur, possible concussion, 1st degree burns on her hands which sterile dressing have been applied, possible rib or ribs broken. Tenderness to touch, smoke inhalation.
She has received O2. BP is 140/90 the pulse is 80. 3rd victim is male aged 42. Was unconscious when rescued. Out for at least 5 minutes. Received 1st degree burns on his right hand; sterile dressing has been applied, possible sprain or broken left hand. Pt winced at pressure to his left hand. Possible rib fractures. BP is 150/96, pulse 100. Victim is receiving O2. Request IV’s on 2nd and 3rd victim. Squad 51 out.” Kel just laid there numb from listening to what Johnny just relayed to Rampart. He shivered. Roy noticed and asked if he was all right was anything else hurting. He shook his head no.
He listened as Joe spoke. “51 start IV with ringers on 2nd victim. If 3rd victim has no apparent head injury add MS 5 mg along with IV. Transport as soon as possible, we will be waiting for you.” “Ten-four Rampart, IV with ringers, and IV and MS 5mg. Ambulances are here. Will be transporting in 5 minutes. Squad 51 out.” They got the IV’s started. Kel was given the MS, which seemed to help the pain in his side. Johnny went with Dixie in one ambulance and Roy with Kel and Tina in the other. Kel closed his eyes, but he listened to Roy talking to Tina. He could tell that Roy was trying to get Tina calmed down. “Honey he and your mom are going to be fine. Don’t worry.” Kel opened his eyes and tears started to form when he took in the scene. Roy was hugging Tina. She was obviously crying. He and Roy both knew where her fear was coming from. Her biological parents died in a house fire 3 years ago. He reached out with his sprained hand and gently nudged her. She looked at him with tears flowing freely. He winked at her. She knew then everything would be OK.
Two hours later, Kel was handing his beautiful but scared little girl over to Joanne. Roy had called her. Roy came into the treatment where Kel was earlier. “Joanne is on her way. Tina will stay with us for a few days while you and Dixie recuperate.” Before Kel could respond Johnny spoke up “Kel my ranch is yours for use until your house is fixed up.” Kel had no response. He didn’t know what to say. He cleared his throat and said with a great deal of emotion “thanks guys, you don’t really know how much friends count until a crisis.”
Kel lay in the bed. His emotions were ragged. He looked at the clock. It was 3 am. Almost 24 hours ago everything was fine. Now their lives were turned upside down. He started crying and couldn’t stop. He apparently fell asleep because when he woke up he saw Joe sitting in a chair. “Hi, how are you feeling this morning?” “Sore, very sore and worn out” Joe said “That is the same response that I received from Dixie five minutes ago. She drifted back to sleep before I left. I don’t think you will be having breakfast together, maybe lunch is more like it.” Kel smiled and said “I think that maybe the order for me also.” They heard a soft knock. “Come in” Kel said. John and Roy walked in. “Hey you two. I was hoping I would be able to see you guys” “Hey, Kel. We just wanted to stop by for a minute to see how you’re doing?” Roy said. “And before you ask I talked with Joanne a few minutes ago. Tina is fine.” Kel just nodded. His emotions were raw and on the surface and he was too afraid to speak. Both paramedics realized this. He cleared his throat and with a quiver in his voice he said “thank you so much for what you two have offered in helping me, Dixie and Tina out. Mere words will never be able to express what I feel right now.” Johnny and Roy shuffled their feet mumbling thanks. They had to run would check on their star patients later.
Kel was in the hospital for two days. Roy told him that he could stay at his place along with Tina till Dixie got out of the hospital. Five days later they were at Johnny’s ranch. Three months later they were back in their house. They had a celebration. Kel and Dixie were in bed later that night. Kel kissed her lovingly and said, “Do you realize that we are very, very lucky to have the friends that we have.” “Yes, I do, but it wasn’t until the fire that I came to treasure them more.” Dixie said. They heard a knock and then Tina slowly opened their door. There she stood with tears streaming down her face. Kel opened his arm and she rushed to him. He pulled her between him and Dixie. They both knew what she wanted. “Tonight you can sleep with us. It will be OK. You’re safe. Don’t worry.” With that the Brackett’s settled in with renewed love for life.