It Happened in February

From Beginning to Addiction

02/03

I had spent two months in class, learning both from a book and as a third party. But, today. Today was my official first day. No longer a third, but a partner.

The blue poly-cotton blend button up had been ironed, with perfect military creases. The silver and blue metal pieces, carefully pinned on my collar which Identified me, as did the patches sewn on my sleeves. It was hanging on a hook on the door. The navy pants also I ironed and hung.

The black boots where sitting on the floor under the clothing hung on the closet door. Polished to a dull, but smooth shine. I had walked for two days in them in thick socks to break them in.

On the counter by the door was a small notebook, three pens, two pencils, a sharpie, pair of shears, my knife, my cell, one of those indestructible NOKIAs, charging and a cardiology II Litman. In the dish, keys, a thin silver chain with Mimi’s wedding band, and a smooth polished ring with an Irish protection prayer. I wasn’t very religious, nor Catholic, but there were only a few days I didn’t have it on, mostly because it had gone missing.

The Morning

I barely slept, yet I was too excited with wired energy. The alarm when off at 0545. But, I was already awake watching the time,

Tick

Tick

Tick

Right before the jarring sound started screaming, I hit it. I got up and in my socked feet to the kitchen. Loaded the pod style coffee machine with coffee and hit the button. While that did it’s thing, to the bathroom, turned the shower on, laid out all my makeup. It was still cool outside, so melting risk was slim. Mascara wasn’t needed, I dyed them, so no running mascara. Back to the kitchen, grabbed my coffee cup (SCORPIOs are so damn proud to be SCORPIOs)

After a shower and hair pulled up, I go to the bedroom where I hung my clothes, crisp blue shirt, over a gleaming white tee shirt. Befor buttoning it all the way up, I pin the silver plate with my last name. BDUs, duty belt. I lean down and zip the side of the polished black boots. Steel toe and shank.

Check the time.

0612.

Notebook, field guide, three pens, two pencils, one sharpie in the thigh pocket. Shears snapped on the side. The Cardiology II Litmann stethoscope slung around my neck

Out the door 0615

Get to the station at 0632

On the ambulance by 0645.

Today was the first day I was cut loose. I was no longer “the third” I was a Partner.

02/12 Ten Years Later

1745 Night Shift

I’m now a crew chief and field training officer.

On my third shift in so many days.

Pick up three different shirts. Smell each. Pick one, check for food, coffee, blood, or any other various things that could be on it. It gets tossed in the dryer with a fresh scent dryer sheet and a damp cloth. BDUs are like jeans, you can wear them over and over. I find the one that has a battered notebook, a pen…maybe, if you can find one. Otherwise, you will swipe one from a resident.

Search each shirt for your collar devices and name plate. Find them, take shirt out of dryer. Hold it up. Eh, it’ll do. Put my sergeant strip collar devices on. I still make sure the name plate is straight. Put on shirt and BDUs. Slide into my battered boots. Polish hasn’t touch them in years.

My keys, iPhone, and wallet are on the counter. Now where is the…the…I am searching…Ah it’s in the kitchen. I had to disinfect it. I lift the all black tactical Cardiology III lLitmann out of the bleach, rinse under hot water, and sling around my neck.

First Call.

OY! ROOK! I yell from the window of the ambulance to one of the officers . Where’s my motherfucking coffee?

He looks at the others. His sergeant says You are going to want to write this down. Venti Starbucks DoubleShot three shots, three vanilla…

Hang on. Three shot he reads out.

Fuck this. The third said, I got it. Gets in cruiser and peels off.At the corner, waiting at a light. I see blue lights in the mirror.

Coffe, cigarettes, and bonus two croissants.

Thanks

Later that night at a “Suspicious Smell” call I hear rookie why they get “her” coffee.

B.? Wanna answer this question?

Not looking up from the notebook I was writing in

Because first cop that gets me coffee I take their drunks. No question. Here. Handing the slip to the Rook, with flair and sass as I walk away

I look at the young cop, and since you three are always together, and usually my first encounter, you win.

What if we…

One of the three, you do no refuse. She is the Godmother. Get it?

Rook looked down at the paper,

Written on the paper is all the things they needed for their death report. I also called the coroner. She’s on her way. Anything else? No? Good?

…And THAT is why we get her coffee.

And it’s like this all night. 10–4, Medic One Copy, standby for 90. Our lights cutting through the mist, heat, and heavy blanket that is over our city.

0830

Get home.

Strip in the hallway of the apartment building.

Uniform goes in washer with lemon, vinegar and baking soda, I collect the rest off the floor. Checking in each pocket for rouge pens

Tea seeping. Melatonin and oxycodone taken.

Mother of Dragons shower with lemon juice. Gets the smell of decomp out of hair and skin.

All the blinds are closed. The painkiller is. working. I can feel the warmth of the drug as it runs around my body in my bloodstream. I always take it first. I want to feel this part. I put on scrub pants and a see through tank top. I take my tea, melatonin, and the orange bottle. I can take four more in an hour, when I put the uniforms in the dryer. Which I do, so I can have deep dreamless sleep.

1800

Alarm goes off. I throw it across the living room. It stops.

Up.

Coffee

Dryer on

Shower

The oxy out of my system. I always make sure before I go back.

Rule one: Never show up high

Rule Two: Never steal

Rule Three: Always follow the schedule.

Work my shift.

Rinse and Repeat

Except tonight. Tonight I break.

Tonight I throw the cardiac monitor.

Tonight the monsters finally had enough.

Tonight the monsters won.