Page 26 of From the Flames
“So what now?” Kevin asked.
“I’m going to send you home, but you need to rest. Do you have someone to look after you?”
“Kevin is going to come home with me and the kids. We’ll look after him. His dogs are already there, and I’m sure they’ll stand guard and make sure he takes it easy. He can sit on the sofa with the kids and watch cartoons. It’s Grant’s turn to pick today, so Kevin can watchEncantountil he passes out.”
“Good,” Rosco said with a smile. “He needs someone to look out for him or else he’ll go running into burning buildings.” Rosco was teasing, and Kevin thought about flipping him the bird, but he remembered the kids were there, and he did not want to have to explain that to them.
“How long before he can go?” Willy asked.
“I want a picture of his lungs, so they’re going to do a CAT scan. Someone will be in to take him down in a few minutes. Once those results come back, he should be good to go.” Rosco left the room, and soon Kevin was on his way down for tests. April wanted to ride along, but she stayed behind with Grant and a concerned-looking Willy.
BY THEtime Kevin got back, Willy was sitting in a chair in the room with April on his lap and Grant on the floor, spread out on his belly, coloring. “How did it go?” Willy asked.
“Oh, it was peachy, but I hate that. It makes me claustrophobic—and I go into burning buildings for a living.” The orderlies put the bed back into place, and April climbed into the bed with him.
“Be careful, honey,” Willy said, but Kevin made room for her, and she settled next to him.
“Did they fix your owie?” April asked and then went off about her last owie, showing him where it had been and telling him that it was all better because Daddy kissed it. Kevin tickled her a little, and she giggled. He was quickly becoming addicted to the happiness that radiated from Willy’s small family.
“How is your breathing?” Willy asked. “Is it better?”
“Yeah. That seems to be working its way out pretty well.” At least he could breathe without the tightness. That was good. Willy held his hand, and they sat quietly for a while until Rosco returned with the news.
“You got really lucky. Your lungs are largely clear, but there are areas where you got material into them. But it appears that your system is expelling it. You need to rest and let your lungs heal and your system take care of itself. I’m going to send a message to your regular doctor to have him see you in a week or so.”
“When can I go back to work?” Kevin asked.
“You need rest and time to heal up. Give yourself some time. I’ll send a message to the station so they know.” Rosco drew closer to the bed. “And I mean it. Don’t think about going back early because you’re feeling better. Working with breathing equipment is going to be harder while you’re recovering.”
“We’ll all watch him,” Willy said. “And you need to do what the doctor says. All of us want you to heal up well.”
Kevin growled. He hated being laid up and everyone knew it, especially Rosco.
“It’s okay. You can stay with us for a few days, and we’ll make sure you get taken care of.” Willy put his hand on his shoulder, and Kevin closed his eyes and placed his own on top of it.
“Are you sure?”
Willy leaned over him. “Of course I am. You took care of us when we needed it, and we’ll take care of you.” He lifted his gaze. “How soon can we take him home to get him settled? And I need to know how much activity he can have.”
“Walking outdoors as long as the weather is good, but he’s not to overdo it. Though I’m sure he will want to run a marathon next week.”
“Actually, it’s the week after,” Kevin quipped and then began coughing. Willy held his hand until the spasm passed. “Okay, I get it.”
“You will cough, and you need to keep an eye on it. If you cough up blood, come right back in here. We need to see you immediately. Also, if the cough gets worse or you have any trouble breathing, don’t wait to see if it gets better, okay?” Rosco was firm and stared at Kevin as a nurse came in the room with Kevin’s phone.
“A Chase dropped this off for you, but he got called away,” she explained.
“Thanks,” Kevin said softly. The nurse nodded and left the room.
Kevin rolled his eyes at Rosco, but Willy agreed for him. “You can count on it.” He squeezed Kevin’s hand. “I want him to be around, and he needs to take care of himself.” He’d hoped the interruption would have changed the subject.
Kevin’s first instinct was to be pissed, but then he looked at Willy and saw only concern and care. It had been quite a while since anyone felt that way about him.
“Okay. I think I got this.” He lay back. “Can we get on with it?”
“Sure. I’ll have one of the discharge coordinators come in with the paperwork. But I want to warn you, you shouldn’t be alone for the next few days in case something happens, so spend some time with your family and enjoy it. The work will be there when you get back. It isn’t going anywhere.” Rosco left the room, and April shifted next to him.
“Can we get food? I’m hungry.”
