The List - Part 2

 

Joanne and Johnny stood at the back of the room as Drs. Brackett and Early pronounced Roy fit to go home. He had casts on his left arm and leg but everything was mending nicely.

 

"Now Roy," Dr. Brackett shook a finger at him. "You're still weak so don't start thinking you are going to go home and work around the house. You really need to be quiet another week or so. I don't want you up on that leg for any length of time for at least another week. Then we'll get you a walking cast so you can be more mobile."

 

Joanne winked at Roy. "If I have to tie him up to keep him down, I will." She and Roy already decided how to keep him occupied while he was still restricted to the bed and the couch. Roy blushed but grinned right back at her.

 

Johnny noticed them both and rolled his eyes deciding not to make eye contact with either for a minute. He was just thrilled that Roy got through this without any major problems but broken limbs. He and Joanne made some plans this week while Roy was stuck here. It felt real good knowing that Roy would be able to appreciate every one of them.

 

The threesome got Roy and his wheelchair to the house easily. It was raining so Johnny parked the car in the garage and they entered the house through it. Planks were placed on the few spots where there were stairs so Roy's wheelchair could move around easily. Roy was expecting to have to help Johnny with the lock on the garage door as it had been sticking lately but was surprised when it opened easily. Johnny noticed the look on his face and just noted, "The lock needed to be fixed. It was an easy repair."

 

Then just as Roy thought he would have to have a small tantrum to keep from being wheeled back to the bedroom, Johnny wheeled him straight to the front porch. "Can you scoot over to the swing on your own or do I need to help?" Johnny asked.

 

Roy shook his head. "I've got it. Just give me your arm." With Johnny's help, Roy managed to sit on the swing. With that move, the kids who were standing next to the door waiting, ran over to give him hugs. They visited just yesterday, so knew he was okay, but were still thrilled to have him home. After giving him hugs, the kids turned to their mom, gave her a hug, and ran down the steps to Johnny's Land Rover. "Bye!! Bye," they called.

 

Johnny turned and looked at Roy's questioning eyes. "We felt you needed at least one quiet night at home. I don't work tomorrow morning but I do the next day so this worked best." He turned and gave Joanne a hug, making her promise to call if she needed anything.

 

She gave Johnny a kiss on the cheek and added, "God give you strength," as he headed toward her two impatient children. Johnny laughed and waved as he got in the Land Rover and headed for his home.

 

Joanne sat on the swing next to Roy and drew his arms around her. They sat and listened to the rain and all the lovely night sounds for a while before Joanne helped Roy back into the house and to their bed.

 

Johnny and the kids came back near noon the next day. The kids ran to the door and found it locked. They looked in the garage when Johnny suggested that their parents ran away from home. "Nu-uh, Uncle Johnny," Jennifer shook her head. "They didn't take their cars. Daddy couldn't run far in a wheelchair."

 

Johnny fished out the spare key he had for Roy's place. He told himself not to worry, but where would they be? Jo knew I was coming back this morning. He opened the door and stopped. This didn't look right?! And then took a step forward, stopped dead in his tracks, whirled around, grabbed the kids before they could go in, and slammed the front door shut. He hoped neither kid would notice how red his face had turned.

 

"Uh, kids, let's go for a walk around the neighborhood. I think we'll find them when we get back."

 

When they got back from their walk, the front door was unlocked and Roy and Joanne were sitting together on the front porch swing. Johnny tried to look everywhere but at his favorite couple while Chris and Jen told them all about their time at Johnny's. Johnny gave up after the kids raced over to the neighbors. Joanne just gave him a saucy smile, and Roy, just grinned.

 

"Did you see much?" Joanne winked at Johnny. "Ohh, man," Johnny said, "I just got a gander of clothes all over the room. Then I saw your heads and after that everything else is just a blur." Joanne and Roy laughed at Johnny's consternation. "I thought married people used a bedroom for that."

 

Joanne reached out and smacked Johnny lightly on the head for that one. "Listen you. We're married not dead. We'd never march into your place without knocking. Just 'cuz we're married doesn't make you safe barging into our place either!" She leaned back and gave Roy a short but passionate kiss.

 

Johnny decided he better change the conversation to a safe subject quick. "Roy, I've talked with Chris' baseball coach. If you want to help as assistant coach, you and I can go over this week and talk with him. He thinks that even with a walking cast on, you'll be a great help with the boys. They'll have to retrieve anything they throw too far from you. He thinks that will be great incentive for them to improve their aim."

 

Roy grinned. "Great. I was going to call him this week anyway. You gonna help with batting practice?" Johnny nodded.

 

Roy shaded his eyes as he peered out to see why a police cruiser was pulling up in front of his house. The doors opened and out stepped Pete Malloy and Jim Reed.

 

Pete and Jim moved to the porch and shook everyone's hand. "Say, Joanne, we went 10-7 to come over. Mind if we grab a sandwich?" Jim Reed smiled at Joanne.

 

"Since we called and asked you to swing by, sure, let's go to the kitchen." Joanne led Johnny and Jim to the kitchen hoping she had enough food for both their appetites.

 

Pete propped himself up against the porch rail. "Alright Roy. I've set everything up. Two weeks from now, we'll run up to the lake Tuesday night and fish all day Wednesday." Roy was thrilled to see Pete. He planned on asking him to go fishing but was surprised that Pete already made their plans before he even asked. He was all set to ask how Pete knew this was what he wanted when Joanne came out and interrupted their discussion, asking Pete how his wife and stepson, Judy and David were. Lunch was over so soon he never got the chance to ask.

 

The weekend before Roy started back at the station, Johnny and Chet came over early and helped Roy with chores. Chet explained their aid by stating that they didn't want him overtired his first days back. Roy started to smell a fish, and so wasn't surprised when Cap and family walked in with a pot full of clam chowder. Soon after the whole A shift was there, moving everything around the backyard and bringing more tables and chairs out. Roy stood looking at this scene and then at his two best friends, Johnny and Joanne, who were whispering conspiratorially off to the side. "What is going on?" Roy hissed at the two of them.

 

"We're having a party," came the voice from behind him. Dixie brought a beautiful white coconut frosted, Angel food cake and was setting it down behind him. He looked over and saw Drs. Brackett, Early, and Morton putting various food contributions down on another one of the tables.

 

Kel Brackett came over and shook everyone's hand, then rolled up his sleeves. "Where's the grill? I want to put my time in with these burgers early so everyone can start with the best!"

 

Early grinned. "I'll let you warm everyone up, then I'll give them something to really sink their teeth into during my turn." Johnny and Joanne snuck away before Roy could turn to ask them anything more.

 

"ATTENTION! ATTENTION!" Chris and Jen DeSoto banged a couple of pots together as Johnny called everyone to look toward the deck. Johnny, Joanne, Chris and Jen were all standing there looking as if they won a lottery. Roy moved closer, curious about what was going to happen now, but wondering if he shouldn't just move out of range. They all looked as if they were up to something and, as Roy had found out earlier, even under a tickle interrogation, Jennifer wouldn't even crack today.

 

"Thank you all for coming to our home today," Joanne called out. "We've been talking of doing this for a long time but Roy kind of pushed me to it a couple of months ago." Roy scrunched his eyebrows together wondering when this came up for discussion. He didn't remember it. She continued, "Not just the last few months, but the last number of years, Roy and I have been meaning to do this to thank you all for being great friends. I have leaned on you, and Roy has breathed a little easier, knowing everyone of you are such wonderful people willing to help in our times of trouble." Roy still didn't remember discussing this with Joanne, but vaguely remembered thinking the same thing when trapped in that flophouse. There was something else he was trying to remember…

 

Johnny then turned to Jen. who went back in the house. She came back with a frame, which she held close to her, hiding the front. She smiled at her dad and crooked her finger for him to come up. Roy went up and, promising both his wife and partner that they would be paying for whatever they were planning, knelt down next to his daughter and son.

 

"Dad," Chris said. "We think that as a dad you are absolutely awesome. Sometimes, we don't listen like we should or do what we should," and with that he rolled his eyes at his dad who playfully swatted at his head, "but we want you to know, we love you and just so you know, we know you love us too."

 

Roy started to grab for both children but Jen moved just out of his way. "Wait Daddy, it's my turn," Jennifer put her hand out to stop him. Roy shrugged as the crowd lightly laughed. "Daddy, we want you to know that the best times we have with you are just the regular times. We don't need to go to Disneyland or Knott's Berry Farms for you to show us a good time. We loved going to the beach with you last weekend and hiking with you yesterday. Thank you for being such a great great great Daddy."

 

With that, she threw herself at Roy, keeping the frame turned into her body. Roy grabbed her and Chris and gave them great big hugs. He kept his face on Chris' shoulder, trying to wipe away the few tears that were escaping his eyes. He was pretty sure his weren't the only ones but everyone was looking at him. Jennifer pulled away and handed Johnny the frame.

 

"Roy," Johnny shook his head as Roy stood up to face him. "You scared the living daylights outta me the last time we worked together. When we got to you, you were just lying there. I have never prayed more in my life. Anyway, I couldn't figure out what you were clutching on to so tight and decided I had to keep it for you." Johnny looked at Joanne. She wiped a tear away and motioned for him to continue. "I gave it to Joanne, thinking it was a last letter or something. She started smiling while she read it. Then she showed it to me. We decided that as much as we could we would be sure you got to do everything on that list. I think you've managed every one of them. We framed it but left most of these things without checkmarks on them. Joanne and I figured most of them were things you planned to keep on doing all the time so they would never be 'done'. There is a spot in the kitchen Jo has picked for this to go." Johnny held up the frame, which held the list. "Anyone who wants can see this at anytime. Joanne said to leave it on the dessert table so you can see it when you get your sweets. We are so glad you are here to complete your 'Things to Do Today' list."

 

Roy grinned and hugged Johnny and Joanne as the crowd came forward to echo their sentiments. As the crowd thinned out, Roy found himself seeking Joanne's eyes more and more often. Both of them were looking forward to the evening after all the guests left and Johnny took the kids one more night for them.

 

Joanne almost choked on the Coke she was drinking when she saw Roy's eyes finally pop wide open as he remembered something. She knew what he had finally realized and was surprised it had taken him this long. He went and grabbed the frame out of Hank Stanley's hands. Hank stared at his senior paramedic wondering if he had finally lost it. "Uh Cap, I don't think you want to look at this." Roy stammered.

 

"Nonsense, you twit," Hank growled at him. "I'm the last person to see it. Did you write something about me?"

 

Roy shook his head. He's right; everyone else already saw it. Give it to him. Roy resolutely handed it over to Cap. I guess I can go to a brush station somewhere.

 

Cap looked at it. "Roy, you must not have been doing too well at the end. You skipped a number."

 

Roy looked as Cap turned it towards him. Number 13 was gone. Roy laughed it off but wondered to himself. After all the guests and the three kids (Johnny included) left, Roy and Joanne stood in the kitchen and hung up the list. He put his arms around her and kissed her. She started to kiss back, promising more but he put his finger to his lips. "I know I don't remember everything about that night, but I have remembered that there was definitely a number 13 on that list. As much as I want to keep that on my permanent list, just where did it go?" Roy leaned back, looking Joanne in the eye.

 

"Only Johnny and I saw it, and he swears he will never admit he did. That one is framed upstairs in our room, so you will never forget it!"