Silent Resolve

By Vickie A. Stewart

When three children are trapped in a second floor room by a fire, two teenage girls take matters into their own hands and a few firefighters are caught by surprise.
SHAR and Jax are emancipated minors with a lot of attitude. Both girls have been hurt in ways no one should, but they were taught, by a dying college professor, to be all that they could be, if only to annoy anyone who ever declared they were nothing but trouble.
Jax was a mid-life surprise born into a dysfunctional family. SHAR has no family still living, she also has no voice, and some believe she’s mute by choice, still she makes herself understood.
Working as stand in’s and low level stunt doubles in the film industry and any other odd job they can find to make ends meet, neither girl is willing to give up their independence but they are very dependent on each other.
Both girls have a questionable past and are under suspicion of arson. What is the truth? Where did they learn their unique style of fire fighting?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9781105280245

Book preview

Silent Resolve

Silent Resolve

A Special Thanks to

My Technical Advisors on this project:

Retired Volunteer Fire Chief Ray P. Whiting

Captain /Paramedic Brian Gale

Firefighters from the Unified Fire Authority

Monica Colby

Also a special thanks to my proofreaders

without whom this story would be full of errors

Melody Peterson

Sarah Adams

Laura N. Stewart

Linda Rollins

Contents

Silent Resolve

Just What Is Going On Here?

Permission to Treat

Do I know you?

The Failures Of The Past

The Go Between

An Overdue Vacation

Welcome to My World

Facing Past Mistakes

Sharon’s Voice

The Other One

In Response of Doubt

More Questions Than Answers

Peace and Calm Sharon Style

Another Piece Of The Puzzle

The Power Struggles

The Flames of Defiance

A Protective Hand

Collision With The Past

The Spilling Over

A Loyal Gathering

We’ll Do It Our Way

Somehow Life Still Goes On

Just What Is Going On Here?

Their bike tires were going as fast as they ever had as JD and Sharon made a game of racing to the home of the director they were currently working for.  Being stunt doubles  and movie extras meant that you never knew what the next day would bring, but a simple task of going to the boss’s house to shut off the gas until the repairman finally arrived was a simpler stunt than most they were asked to do.

As usual, when they raced, Sharon was in the lead; she was just in the best physical condition of the two of them.  But unlike usual, Sharon wasn’t teasing JD by slowing down from time to time to give her the hope that this time she might just be able to keep up. This afternoon Sharon was pulling away with every push of a pedal.  Sirens in the distance gave JD hope that their boss had called the fire department like Sharon had recommended, but she didn’t dare get her hopes up. Those sirens could be headed anywhere; there was no way of knowing if they were headed in their direction yet.  Trying harder than she ever had before, JD rose from her bike seat and pushed hard on the pedals in an effort to catch up with her friend and near constant companion through thick and thin and life altering events, for the past three years. 

JD could feel her leg muscles wanting to cry uncle as she noticed Sharon pulling away. Still there was hope; she could tell from the landmarks that their destination was just a couple of blocks ahead.  Sadly those blocks were up hill.  JD could now see Sharon dismounting her bike and dropping it on the lawn as she cautiously walked toward the oversized home that they had been invited to twice before for cast parties.  When JD finally reached the lawn, she could see that Sharon had already removed a crescent wrench from her bike pouch and was just starting to attach it to the gas meter at the side of the house.

JD panted as she stayed astride her bike and watched as Sharon mentally made sure she knew which way to turn the wrench and started to turn.

That’s when they heard the explosion. 

JD dropped her bike next to Sharon’s and ran toward the back of the house where the commotion was coming from.

From the back door a woman stumbled, and JD hurried to her side and helped her to a lounge chair near the pool.

M- my ch-children! the woman stammered as she pointed back toward the house.

They’re still in the house? JD questioned in shock.

Y- yes, upstairs w-with th-their w-window open, the woman continued to point at the house frantically.

JD ran to the door that the woman had just exited from and when she saw the flames shooting upward engulfing the plush curtains decorating the stairwell to the second floor, she quickly slammed the door shut then pulled open the breaker box on the outside wall and pulled the main power switch.

As she stood holding the switch, trying to decide what to do next, she noticed Sharon rounding the corner of the house.

I thought you turned off the gas! JD screamed.

Sharon nodded her head as she held her hands up to show her confusion.

There’re kids in there, JD panted, upstairs in their rooms with the windows open.  Those open windows are going to draw those flames right up to them.

Sharon turned on a pivot foot and raced back to the front yard, and JD was on her heels. The two noticed the open window and looked to each other.

After a deep breath, Sharon gave the signal for a lift maneuver they had been working on whenever they had a spare moment in hopes of getting more frequent and higher paying stunt work on the movie sets.

JD moved into position in line with the window with one knee on the ground and the other positioned to be able to push upward at the right millisecond and her hands cupped together fingers interlocked about a foot off the ground.  Sharon came toward her on the run and stepped into JD’s cupped hands and pushed off at the same time JD pulled her hands upward.

It was this exact second that JD saw the first fire engine pull onto the street followed by a paramedic unit.  Captain Gale and firefighter engineer Tim Duncan were able to witness Sharon take flight, roll into a ball then stretch out again with her feet toward the open window.  Due to the adrenalin of both girls, Sharon hit the window high and crashed through the glass instead of the open screen they had been aiming for.   The window broke in large pointed shards instead of little pebbles; this was one house that didn’t have safety glass in their windows

JD was soon flanked by the captain from the first arriving platoon and the two paramedics, all eyes fixed on the window Sharon had just crashed through.

What’s going on here? the captain asked.

There’re children in that room, and the fire is moving fast up the stairwell.  We turned the gas off, and killed the power but something is still fueling the fire, JD reported quickly in a winded voice, then turning to the paramedics, There’s a woman out back by the pool. She’s taken in some smoke and her hands are burned.

I’m on it Cap, Mark Arnold called, then ran to the ambulance to retrieve oxygen and a box of supplies.  At the same time, the captain was calling for two inch and a half’s and a ladder to the window and an ETA, estimated time of arrival, on the next engine sent to help fight the fire.

While they were unhooking the ladder from the truck, Sharon was seen in the window giving a signal that only JD understood.

She’s got to drop the kids out now! JD shouted as she grabbed the remaining paramedic’s coat sleeve to make sure she got his attention over the sound of the water pumps and the roaring engines.  She then ran toward the building.  The two men with the ladder ran quickly urged on by the paramedic, Keith Donaldsfield; and before the ladder was against the house, Keith was half way up the ladder.  Sharon returned to the window with two children hanging on to her neck, all of them coughing from the smoke. Keith took the closest child, who was quick to change her grip from Sharon’s neck to his.  Sharon then let the firefighter take just a couple of steps down the ladder before helping the second child onto the ladder just in front of him and then turning back into the room.  Keith was half way down the ladder taking it slow to coach the young child in front of him when Sharon returned to the window with a third child in her arms. This child was smaller, under two years of age, and lay motionless in her arms wrapped in a blanket.  When it was clear that it would be a moment before the ladder would be able to help her, she moved to the next window and pushed out the screen. 

With a nod of Sharon’s head, JD took up a position under the window, and Sharon leaned out the window as far as she could and dropped the child into JD’s outstretched arms as the firefighters sprayed the area with a cooling mist of water.

As JD peeled the blanket away to check for a pulse, another explosion shook the ground knocking her to her knees.  As one of the firefighters helped her up with the baby still in her arms, a third explosion blew the rest of the windows and Sharon out on to the front lawn.

Sharon spun in the air hitting the ground on her feet then did a tuck and roll, to reduce the impact; a landing she had been practicing a lot in recent weeks to improve her status at work.  Before she had stopped moving, the firefighters turned their hoses on her and quickly doused any hint of flames from her clothing.

The now crying baby was taken from JD’s arms and she raced toward her friend.

Are you all right? JD asked as she knelt to the side of her friend who was on her hands and knees gasping for air and coughing.

Sharon simply slapped her thumb and first two fingers together, the American Sign Language for ‘no’.

JD was momentarily distracted by the arrival of the next fire engine until Sharon grabbed her hand. Turning back to Sharon, JD watched as she started forming letters with her hands.

S-U-L, sulfur? JD translated Sharon’s hand movements out loud, nearly drowned out by the sound of the engines and the captain who was calling out orders to the newly arriving fire crew over a public address system on the fire engines.

Sharon made the sign for yes then continued.

M-A- G-N, magnesium? JD again questioned.

Sharon again made the sign for yes before starting once again.

P-H-O-S, phosphorous?

Sharon made the sign for yes once again followed by the sign for speak, she then pointed to the firefighter in the red fire helmet who was giving out orders and JD understood.

Running to the Captain, JD tugged at his sleeve to get his attention. There’s sulfur, magnesium and phosphorous in there. He must be storing his pyrotechnic supplies in one of the upstairs rooms, JD yelled over the sound of everything else going on.

Do you have any idea how much is in there? the Captain asked.

JD just shook her head and shrugged her shoulders in response before turning her attention back to her friend.  Sharon was being helped to an area near the ambulance and eased to the ground on her stomach. She had blood oozing from the back of her right shoulder and blood on her left leg.  Not realizing she was trying to tell them something, the paramedic was holding her down as he placed an oxygen mask on her face.

JD hurried over to translate, She says she’ll be all right; you should take care of the others first.

Pardon me? Keith questioned.

She’s using sign language. She says you should take care of the others first, JD repeated.

Is she deaf? Keith asked over the sound of the engines and other firefighting noise.

No, she can hear perfectly, she just doesn’t speak, JD explained.

Tell her that my partner is taking care of the others; I need her to hold still so I can check her out, paramedic instructed, and JD just rolled her eyes in a ‘here we go again gesture.’

She can hear you, JD informed, slowly, loudly and sternly, she just doesn’t speak.

Okay then, paramedic Keith Donaldsfield took just a second to understand the situation as he counted Sharon’s pulse. Is she hurt anywhere other than this cut and burn on the back of her shoulder?

Sharon started forming signs with her hands as Keith wrapped a blood pressure cuff around her upper arm.

She says she thinks there’re a couple of cuts on her lower left leg, JD translated Sharon’s hand motions. Other than that she’s all right; she says she can wait till you’ve taken care of the children.

There’s a great big piece of glass still in that cut on her shoulder, JD pointed to the six inch long gash right in the middle of Sharon’s shoulder blade. Should I pull it out?

No! Keith spoke quickly to stop the overly helpful JD from touching the piece of glass still protruding from her friend’s shoulder. You could make things worse. We need to let them take it out at the hospital.

Yeah, you’re right; I knew that, JD consented and backed her hand away from the cut and onto her friend’s arm. I guess I’m just nervous, Shar is usually taking care of me.

That’s an interesting scar she has on the palm of her right hand, Keith inquired. Can you tell me how she got it?

I don’t know, JD answered. It’s been there as long as I’ve known her.  She never talks about it.

I can’t tell without moving her hand, but it looks like a star of some kind, Keith commented as he looked Sharon over.

Yeah, something like that, it has the shape of a star in the middle of it, JD answered.

During this conversation, Sharon simply lay stiffly on the ground. The only action she took was to make a loose fist with her right hand and turn it so that her scar was even less visible.  Her eyes were directed to the children she had helped rescue but her gaze seemed much more distant than anything that could be seen.

You’re going to have to cut your hair again Shar, JD small-talked while the paramedics worked on their patients, you singed it again.

Both girls were the same size, a healthy skinny about five ten or so in height with unusually muscular legs and a working tan showing that they most always wore similar sleeveless t-shirts and watches.  The biggest difference was that Sharon’s hair was darker by several shades of brunette with some natural reddish highlights.  Her hair was shorter, not quite to her shoulders, and currently had a section that was singed and shriveled coinciding with a burn about the size of a grapefruit on her neck that bore a large blister marking it a second degree burn.

It was hard to say how long JD’s hair was; she had it tightly braided and bobby pinned to the sides and back of her head.  Her hair was a sandy blonde and her eyes blue. Both girls had the remains of heavy theatrical make up that had been hastily removed missing the areas around the hair line and under the chin.

Working frantically to assess and treat their medical needs, while their crew mates extinguished the fire inside the house, were the paramedics. Mark Arnold was taking care of the mother and children.

Mark was slender but well built, surely a requirement of his profession, easily six feet tall with probably an extra inch or two beyond that, although it was hard to tell with the way he was squatting near the ground while he cared for his patients.  His hair was black, short all over in a buzz cut that was maybe a little over due for a trim but only if he wanted it. His deep brown eyes relayed both trustworthiness and playfulness at the same time.

His partner Keith was just a little shorter but only an inch or two and broader shouldered with deep blue eyes and sandy blond hair that was short on the sides and longer on the top, just a few shades darker than JD’s.

There’s not another medic unit available but we’ve got a transport ambulance on the way, a police officer informed as he stooped down near Mark as he applied bandaging to the mother’s hands with the 18 month old child in her lap while his sister held the oxygen mask close to his face.

It should be here any minute, do you need me to do anything else?

I think we’ve got it, Mark informed the police officer as he pulled a cell phone from his pocket and pressed a speed dial button that would connect them to the nearest emergency department.

Community, this is medical unit 83, we will be bringing in five victims of a house fire shortly, Mark began his report. Three children ranging in age from approximately ten to 18 months are suffering from smoke inhalation, and their mother is also suffering from smoke inhalation as well as first and second degree burns on her hands covering less than nine percent of her body.  We have wrapped the mother’s hands in sterile bandages and started an IV, we are administering oxygen to all of them and they are responding well.  Vital signs are normal and our exam findings are unremarkable. Stand by for a report on the fifth victim.

The phone was passed to Keith who took just a second to finish cutting Sharon’s pant leg to get a better look at the cut she had there before taking it from his partner.

Community, this is Donaldsfield, we have a female in her teens; she crashed through one window to get into the house to rescue victims from a second floor room.  She was then blown out another window and fell from the second story when some pyrotechnical supplies exploded.  In addition to smoke inhalation, she has a cut on the back of her right shoulder approximately six inches in length that has a shard of glass protruding from it as well as two smaller cuts on her left leg and second degree burns on her back and neck about ten centimeters in diameter. She claims there are no other injuries at this time.   Her vitals are pulse 90 and pounding, respirations 20 and BP 160 over 80. The laceration on her shoulder is still bleeding but with glass in the wound we are unable to apply pressure, we have packed the wound with rolled bandages stabilizing the object and started an IV, Keith continued to report.

The patient seems at ease and unworried about her injuries and is complaining of very little pain as long as she doesn’t move, and there is no evidence of shock at this time. We will be transporting her momentarily; our ETA to your location is approximately fifteen minutes given current traffic. Be advised the patient communicates by means of sign language, advise you have a translator on hand.

Keith handed the phone back to his partner and finished applying tape to hold the piece of glass in Sharon’s shoulder steady as he looked up to talked to her friend at her side.

That was when Captain Gale walked over and got down on one knee to talk with his paramedics.

We’ve got everything under control in the house; how are you doing here? he asked.

I think we have everything under control, Cap we’re waiting on the ambulance for the family here, Mark called back as he yet again checked the pulse on the children’s mother. Keith’s going to need a driver to get that one in.

James! Captain Gale called out then pointed to the ambulance, you’re driving. Matthews, give ‘Donaldsfield a hand in the back.

Captain, everyone’s attention was drawn to a police officer escorting Sharon and JD’s boss toward them, this gentleman is worried about his family.

They’re right here, Captain Gale stood up and directed, a little shaken up but otherwise safe and sound.

George, the director, took a good look around at the chaos and condition of his house and family as he scratched the bald spot on the top of his head.   In his late forties, George had bushy hair around the sides of his head that filled in sideburns that came down his chin in a unique-looking beard.  Since he had been working nearly seventy hours straight to get his latest movie ‘in the can,’ his eyes were so bloodshot you couldn’t tell for sure what color they really were.

George stood about five eight and weighed in at 280 pounds with a big round belly.  George had always kept his last name quiet except on paper hoping people would mistake him for George Lucas, but there was no record of anyone ever doing so.

What happened here? George exclaimed once he was finally able to catch his breath. I thought you girls were going to turn the gas off?

We did, JD was quick to reply in a defensive tone. I don’t know what happened.

There were a half dozen or so propane tanks near the water heater, Captain Gale began to add what he had learned.

What? George gasped. How did they get there?

They were dropped off early this morning. The guy said they were for tomorrow’s party, George’s wife began to explain. He put them in the kitchen saying they needed to be kept out of the sun.  Then the decorators moved them into the furnace room so that they could get their ladders and decorating equipment through the kitchen.

The heat from the water heater must have caused the propane tanks to leak and the pilot light must have ignited the gas, Captain Gale explained what had happened.  And all of the decorations were so flammable they just went poof, Captain Gale accented with his hands. It’s a good thing these girls did get the gas turned off or things could have been a lot worse.

Worse than this? George exclaimed with his hand held out taking in the view of his charred home with no windows.

Yes, Cap responded, a lot worse.  And these girls were very instrumental in getting your wife and children out of the house alive.

Yeah Daddy, the six year old called out excitedly. That girl flew up and came crashing through our window to save us.

George looked at Sharon lying motionless on the ground with her bandaged injuries showing. Sounds like I should have used you two for all my stunt work. I might have finished the film on schedule if I had.

I was wondering if you could explain to me about the explosives you had in your house, Captain Gale asked.

Oh that, George squirmed a little, I saved a mint by buying all of my pyrotechnic supplies in bulk, and now that the movie’s in the can, Fred, my pyro-guy was going to use up what was leftover as part of the entertainment for the party tomorr--- George stopped mid word and took one more good long look at his house as ambulance sirens were heard in the background. I guess there isn’t going to be a party here tomorrow is there?

As the captain talked with the home owner, others were working to load the girl with the glass in her shoulder.

Okay now Sharon we’re going to lift you on to this gurney here but I want you to just relax and let us do all the work, Keith instructed; then he, Mark, and two firemen worked together two on each side of Sharon carefully working their hands under her then lifting as a team they carefully moved her onto the gurney.

JD cringed as the men slid their hands under her friend and watched helplessly as Sharon grimaced in pain caused by being moved, I’ll be along as soon as I can.  I should be there in time to help you with all the paperwork.

Sharon made the sign for ‘I’m okay’ and managed a genuine smile.

We’re going to take her to the hospital as soon as I get this glass taped down; I’m going to need you to go with me to translate her sign language so that I know what she needs. Keith explained to JD as he was placing a blanket over Sharon’s back being careful of her injuries.

JD looked at the four firemen who were loading Sharon in the back of the ambulance. The one who had climbed in first to situate the IV bottle didn’t frighten her, she knew who he was.  The other two motioning for her to get in and standing ready to help her however terrified her near to death.

I, I have to, a, someone has to take care of the bikes, JD stammered barely able to keep her feet rooted to the ground.

Keith noticed his patient turning her attention to her friend and making signs with her hands but had no idea what she was saying.

I could put the bikes in the back of my truck and bring them to the hospital when I’m done here. The police officer responded picking up on the fear in the young girl’s face and wondering what she was hiding.

I really need your help to translate, Keith continued.

I’ll tell you what, George, the director, called out,  I’ll have one of the guys from the film set come get them and if you’ll give me your keys they can bring both your bikes and your camper to the hospital for you.  I might be mistaken but I suspect your friend there isn’t going to feel much like riding her bike when they get through with her.

I think the man has a point there, Captain Gale offered his persuasion; the paramedic here could really use your help understanding your friends needs.  He then placed a guiding hand in the middle of JD’s back only to pull it away when she flinched and panicked more at his touch.

JD took a deep breath and look into the eyes of her friend.  Sharon’s face betrayed the pain she had denied having, she needed her.  As afraid as JD was of the men being more polite than she could handle, she couldn’t leave her injured friend alone with them.

When she felt she could control her breathing, she looked to the firefighter offering his hand to help her into the ambulance, He was shorter than any firemen she’d seen before. Since she was sure she could take him in hand to hand combat, if it came to that, JD was able to take a deep breath and move forward.

Let me get the keys to the truck out of Shar’s pocket, JD stated and then climbed into the back of the ambulance without help and reached into the pocket at the side of Sharon’s pant leg. Pulling a set of keys out JD quickly disconnected one key ring holding two keys from a larger group of keys and tossed the two keys to George, the director, from the back of the ambulance before ducking back in tucked the rest of the keys in her pants pocket at the side of her leg.

If you’ll sit right there, Keith Donaldsfield pointed to the bench across from the gurney he was now securing tightly, we can get on our way.  Greg, that leg is bleeding through the bandaging, can you wrap it with another layer of Kerlex?

JD looked at the blood soaked bandages on her friend’s leg and sunk to the seat she had been assigned.  As this Greg person brushed against her shoulder reaching for the needed bandaging, JD flinched and started to breathe rapidly. That’s when she felt a firm yet comforting grip around her ankle.

JD looked down and confirmed it was Sharon who had a hold of her and began to calm down.  She looked at her friend, she was lying face down on an ambulance gurney, her left arm bent at the elbow with her hand near her head and an IV taped down on her forearm, a piece of glass in her right shoulder and she was risking causing it to bleed again by reaching with her hand that was hanging off the edge giving her a comforting grip.  A grip to help her come to grips. With that one move JD found new focus and reached down to take a hold of her friend’s hand.

You doin all right there, Shar?

JD watched as Sharon signed with her left hand that was near her head, We’ll be at the hospital soon, She responded.

What did she say? Keith asked needing to know how his patient was doing.

JD looked at Keith and moistened her lips with her tongue, she said not to worry about her that she going to be alright, she answered, She always does worry more about other people than herself.

Just then the ambulance shook and bounced as if they were driving over rough roads and Sharon grimaced and gave JD’s hand a tighter grip. 

Hey James take it easy, Keith yelled at the driver before diving toward the shoulder wound of his patient that was now bleeding again. James you’ve got to smooth out the ride, get on a different road if you have to. Greg, easily lay her hand on the gurney at her side and help me stop this bleeding.

With that Greg carefully tried to take Sharon’s hand out of JD’s but Sharon tightened her grip.

I’ll do it. JD responded, It’s okay Shar, you’re just hurting yourself more, relax and let me do this. She then slowly moved the hand and sat it down at Sharon’s side but kept a hold of it. Just relax Shar; let us take care of you.

Sharon signed with her other hand, and JD responded, It’s all right. Meanwhile Greg was grabbing at bandage supplies out of the cabinets and applying gentle pressure at the sides of the protruding glass as Keith started grabbing for another bag of IV fluid and the tubing to go with it.

What did she say? Keith asked.

She was just talking to me, JD responded.

Ask her how much pain she’s in, on a scale of one to ten, Keith instructed and Sharon just started signing, very actively signing.  When her hand stopped moving nearly a minute later Keith looked to JD for the translation.

She said it hurts but she doesn’t want any pain medications she wants to make sure she stays awake.  She does a mind over matter thing she can deal with it.

It can send her into shock, I have to treat the pain, Keith responded.

She said no! JD spoke loudly and with determination.

Keith now having the supplies he needed moved over on the bench next to JD sandwiching her between him and the other fireman, I need to start another IV so we can replace some of the fluids she’s losing. Sharon pulled her arm away from Keith, Tell her this is just fluids no drugs.

Sharon gave Keith a questioning stare before relaxing her hand and allowing him to start the IV.  While he worked leaning into JD to get the right angle to insert the needle in a vein, Sharon signed with her other hand.  JD focused on that only nodding her head in response and then shaking it.

Hi, my name is Greg, the fireman on her other side said in a form of a distraction, Greg Matthews, what’s yours?

JD glanced at the fireman asking questions then at the paramedic leaning against her side, now taping down the needle and tubing of the newly started IV before reaching up to adjust the device that controlled the speed in which the fluid entered the body.  JD knew enough to know he was worried about her friend because the dripping was fast and steady in order to get as much fluid in her system as possible in a short amount of time.

It would really help if we knew your name, Keith added a verbal nudge to the translator before moving back to his previous seat and starting to get another blood pressure reading. It makes it a lot easier to communicate.

JD hesitated for a moment continuing to look back and forth between the two men then finally answered, They um, people just call me JD.

Are those your initials, Greg continued to question, it was very clear this girl was being evasive and he hadn’t missed the flinches every time he touched her.

Yeah,

Just what does JD stand for? I bet a pretty girl like you has a pretty name, Greg persisted.

JD just moved away from him sliding down the bench seat as far as she could as she slipped her hand in the pocket at the side of her leg and started fiddling with the keys there.  While hiding her hand in her pocket, JD started maneuvering the individual keys between her fingers until she had a set of jagged claws, if the sweet talking fireman got any closer--.

Once the blood pressure was finished Sharon was signing once again and JD kept her focus on her friend but no matter how many times the paramedic asked what she was saying JD responded, She’s just talking to me.

JD didn’t miss the glances between the two firemen but they just served to make her that much more defiant and she clutched the keys in her hand that much tighter.

Permission to Treat

At the hospital emergency room entrance, Keith jumped out of the ambulance as soon as it came to a stop.

Gently, gently, Keith repeated with an anxious tone to his voice. Let’s get those wheels down.

How are we doing? Nancy, the head nurse of the ER greeted them at the entryway.  She had thick bright red extremely curly hair that was pulled back in a tight bun leaving shorter bouncy locks of hair to dangle around her face.

We hit a rough stretch in the road for about a mile or so and the jostling started her bleeding again, but it’s slowed now Keith reported rapidly.  She’s in a lot more pain and her BP has jumped to 160 over 90, pulse is 120. But she refused any pain medication.

We’re set up in room 3, Nancy led the way, holding the door open and informing Dr. Burk of the changes in vital signs.

Is this the one we need the translator for? the Doctor asked as he started cutting Sharon’s bandage and shirt away. Not making any effort to keep her covered.  Nurse Nancy noticed the looks on both girls’ faces and quickly pulled the ruminants of the shirt around to cover her breasts.

Yes, Keith responded, this is her friend; she’s been translating for us on the way in.

Do we know who to contact for consent to treat? Dr. Burk questioned without looking away from the wound he was preparing to treat. I’m going to need an operating room for this one, call in a team will you. I’m going to need X-rays and let’s draw blood for a CBC and let’s to a type and cross just in case we need to give her blood.

While he rattled off orders the doctor didn’t notice that his patient was signing.

She says no! JD spoke loudly bringing all action in the room to a halt, She says that you can remove the glass and repair the wound with a local anesthetic right here, there is no need for an operating room.

Now look Miss, I’m the Doctor here and I’m going to do what is best for my patient, now be a nice little girl and go tell the people at the desk where to contact her parents so we can get permission to treat her.

No, you look; we might have been born in the night but not last night.  Yes, we’re under eighteen years of age but no, you don’t need to call our parents because we’re certified Emancipated Minors, which means you have to have her consent before you do anything.  You might very well have and MD after your name but it doesn’t stand for Marvelous Deity, there is more than one option and she says no to any kind of general anesthesia or surgery.

Dr. Burk looked to the paramedic in the room, How much morphine did you give her?

None, she refused any, Keith answered and wished he’d just given it to her when he suspected she was in pain.

Dr. Burk was less than happy with this news and Sharon and JD alike knew it was because it took power away from him.  He stood with his hands on his hips letting out a couple of angry huffs then turned again to JD. Miss, you need to understand, this is a serious wound, there could be internal injuries it will be just that much easier to take care of in an operating room where we can move fast if we find anything.

JD stood her ground, and to many in the room it looked like a royal stand off. Then JD’s attention moved toward Sharon as she moved around the doctor just enough to see the hand signs Sharon was giving. 

When Sharon was done moving her hand JD turned back to the doctor and squared her shoulders. "We’re not total idiots; we both know that there is a major bone under that piece of glass that is keeping the glass from hitting