The Other Heroes - Part 2

 

Beth and Joanne each looked at their joined hands then looked up and silently approved of Emily's continuing. "Sometimes, we get together when the guys are working and share our worries. Mama Lopez, most of Marco's sisters and cousins, and Chet's mom and sister have joined us many times. The guys don't know about that." She smiled, "We have tried to have some secrets. Our toughest times are during one of the guy's hospital visits. Joanne is always our strongest, but we tease her that she has more experience. We have to be strong for the guys. We don't want them to worry about us. Obviously, they know we hate to get the late night phone calls or a visit from the battalion chief. We let it all out in our late night sessions. If anyone out there works at a tissue company, you should thank us for most of your sales."

 

Beth grinned, "Don't forget the ice cream makers. We eat a lot of ice cream those nights."

 

Joanne laughed. "I think there are a few empty containers in my garbage can right now."

 

All three women looked at each other guiltily then. Had they sounded uncaring? Lyla realized what their concern might be. She stepped in quickly. "Your husbands were all seriously injured that night. From what you have told me, this is definitely not the first time. I have seen enough to believe that this must be very hard on you each time. Knowing how much heartbreak would be involved living with a fireman, would you still marry them?"

 

All three women looked at each other. The other two deferred to Joanne as this question had come up in the last of their late night group sessions. "Lyla, I have watched various women let some wonderful men get away from them because they didn't think they could hack being a firefighter's wife. Johnny, Chet, and Marco are terrific guys. Beth and Emily both married their husbands after they had become firefighters. I had married Roy before he became one. Would we have made the same choices? Last week, I was very close to telling Roy that this was the last time I wanted to spend my anniversary at the hospital, or wondering if he would be in the hospital or visiting a friend in the hospital. We were married 15 years ago today." Joanne grabbed a tissue and brought it to her eyes. Beth and Emily both reached out to support her. Joanne looked at them gratefully and thanked them with her eyes. "Yes, I would have loved him anyway. I wouldn't change a thing about my life with Roy. The kids and I have wonderful memories that can never be taken from us. I know Beth and Emily feel the same way. What makes them wonderful husbands and fathers is the very thing that makes them great firefighters. They have large, wonderful, beautiful hearts. My life has sometimes seemed like a roller coaster but I am truly blessed to be along for the ride."

 

For just a moment the set was quiet as all three wives wiped away the tears that had come. Even Lyla, who had never lost her composure on the air, seemed to be hesitating, thinking of how strong these women were. That thought brought her back to the next order of business. "The audience may or may not know the status of your husbands. We wanted to let everyone know at the end of our interview. Let me give you the following updates. Mike Stoker is to be released today with a broken arm and minor burns. Captain Hank Stanley is also going home, cleared after being treated for smoke inhalation and burns. Roy DeSoto was scheduled to be released this next week. He was treated for smoke inhalation, a concussion, and had a compound leg fracture."

 

Joanne looked at Emily and Beth, slightly confused by the verb Lyla used. What had happened that she wasn't aware of?

 

Lyla reached over and held her hand, smiling broadly. "The fact of the matter is all three men demanded to be here to do what you do for them every day. They wanted to support you." At that a dress-uniformed Mike and Hank, pushing a robe wrapped Roy sitting in a wheelchair, moved in behind the ladies. Roy handed Hank one of the bouquets he held. Now all three had a bouquet. Roy and Mike looked at Hank waiting for him to start. All three wives were shocked to see their husbands standing there (or sitting there). The tears were flowing openly from the women.

 

Hank addressed Lyla. "Lyla. We want everyone to be aware of what we know already. These women give us the strength to go out everyday and do our jobs. A firefighter works odd hours, takes major risks, and doesn't make a whole lot of money. We miss a lot of school assemblies and can be called out during any emergency. We truly love doing what we do. Any firefighter out there can tell you of a man who was stopped from doing this job because of pressure from the home. These three women are representative of all the spouses in the department who not only support us in the good times but are rocks during the bad ones. ." At that Hank moved to give Emily her bouquet. She reached up and grabbed him in a huge hug, crushing the flowers between them.

 

Mike turned to Beth. "Thank you for everything. Being there and loving me." Mike knelt down in front of Beth and handed her her bouquet. Her tears flowed as she kissed him and put her tear stained face into his shoulder.

 

Joanne moved over to Roy, not sure whether to take the flowers gracefully or grab them and beat him over the head with them for leaving the hospital too early. Roy looked at her for just a moment, knowing the decision she was probably contemplating and quietly commented, with a twinkle in his eye, "Jo, this is being broadcast nationally. The kids might see it." He relaxed seeing her own eyes begin to twinkle. "Joanne, I just want you to know. I thank my lucky stars every night that you said I do fifteen years ago. I don't know what I ever did to deserve you, but I promise to try to be there for you just as you are for me." With that, Joanne burst in tears and kissed Roy with a long lingering kiss that finally Hank broke up with a laugh.

 

Hank looked at Lyla. She nodded. Hank looked at all three ladies and, waving back to where they were hidden, called out the rest of the men. Chet, Marco, and Johnny came out with more flowers. They each handed a bouquet to one of the ladies and gave them a grateful hug. Johnny, who of course presented Joanne with his flowers, spoke for the three. "We want you to know that we can't always figure out why they deserve you either, but we are very grateful you are there for them and are always there for us. Someday, we each hope to find a wife like you. But in the meantime, we are thrilled to have sisters like you." Joanne reached out again, and being careful of his bruised ribs, gave him another hug and a kiss on the cheek with tears flowing still.

 

Lyla turned and spoke in the camera as the scene behind her became a hug and tear fest. "These people are only representative of the fire department. There are many more of them in the cities and counties where you live and work. Remember this when you see them on their way to a call. Say a prayer that their families will have their whole family together at the end of each day."