A New Hero in Town

A police car drove into the center of the intersection of one of the city’s main arteries and a quiet neighborhood street. The red dome lights were flashing and the officer stepped out of the car and motioned traffic to stop. Following the police sedan was a bright red pickup with similar flashers. On the door of the truck a logo had been painted in the form of a fire department shield.
The fire chief steered his pickup onto the docile street and slowly moved past the middle class homes. The curious came from the houses to see what was going on. Children ran to stand at curb’s edge and wave as their parents followed at a more reserved pace.
Following the Fire Chief’s pickup was a forty-two foot long fire engine. Lights were flashing and suited firemen hung to the side and rear of the unit. As it paraded along, the fire truck was followed by an emergency response team in a white truck and an ambulance brought up the rear.
The caravan was slowly heading further into the small neighborhood, not at a rapid pace as the flashing lights might call for, but they moved steadily along the ribbon of pavement. As the big fire truck came even with each cluster of neighbors, shouts and waves greeted the heroes.
Yes, the firemen were heroes, saving many homes and buildings from destruction over the years, but today the hero was not the firemen. In fact, it was the firemen who were honoring their young champion. When the big truck reached the third house on the second block of Post Oak Street, the parade stopped. The firemen and rescue personnel began to exit their vehicles and then gather on the front lawn.
The house at 3105 Post Oak was plain compared to many of the other homes but it was neatly maintained and clean. The neighbors gathered on the opposite sides of the lawn as well as across the street. One of the firemen, wearing his heavy flame resistant jacket and pants, the large boots and helmet with neck strap, stepped to the front door of the house and motioned to knock.
Before the man could rap on the door facing, the door swung open and a young bubbly face appeared. The awestruck boy was speechless as he gawked at the big superhero fireman. Finally, the boy’s mother appeared and stood by her son.
“Yes, may I help you?” the woman asked.
“Ma’am, I’m Officer Baker and I was wondering if this is where young Johnny lives,” the man said.
“Why, yes it is,” she answered. “This is Johnny, my son.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” the fireman continued. “We are on a training exercise and need someone to ride in old Engine No. 32 and ring the bell. We are running short handed today. Son, do you think you’d like to do that for us?” The boy’s eyes were the size of saucers and his jaw almost touched the floor.
“Johnny is a big fan of the fire department,” Johnny’s mother replied. “He wants to be a fireman when he grows up.” She leaned down to her son and asked, “Would you like to help the firemen, Johnny?” She knew the boy would love the opportunity.
“For real?” Johnny asked with glee. “You really want me to help you?” He was almost jumping up and down as he waited for an answer.
“Yes indeed,” Officer Baker answered. “You are the only one we can call on for help. If you’re ready, then come and get up in the front cab with me and we’ll get moving. Time is wasting.” Johnny’s mother held his hand as they began to move across the yard to the fire truck.
It was a slow paced effort because Johnny was crippled and his balance unsure. You see, the fact is that young Johnny was very ill. For the past eighteen months, doctors had treated the boy and for a time it looked as if they had cured the cancer, but last month there had been a relapse and now there were no other treatments available.
The doctors told Johnny’s mother that he had only a short time left to live. A friend heard of the diagnosis and decided to make the boy’s dream come true. The city had approved of allowing their vehicles and equipment to be used and off duty officers volunteered to play out the drama.
Officer Baker lifted Johnny’s lean body up into the cab where a second officer sat. Johnny would sit between the two big men as they paraded through the nearby streets. As Baker got behind the steering wheel, the other man showed Johnny the controls. It was exciting and Johnny followed the man’s instructions.
Baker put the fire truck into gear and the line of vehicles began to proceed down the street. Cheers and waves came from the people lining the street. Obviously envious boys watched and dreamed of having an opportunity like this as well. With a signal from Officer Baker, Johnny engaged the signal bell. It rang insistently as they moved, but the big thrill came when they reached the main road and Johnny pushed the button for the siren.
The exercise lasted only a short time as the group of vehicles snaked around and back onto Johnny’s street. When they stopped in front of the house, Johnny’s mother was waiting. Tears filled her eyes as her only son was hoisted from the big truck, but her weeping was a result of happiness not sadness.
“Mommy, Mommy!” Johnny exclaimed as he fell into her arms. “I got to ring the bell and sound the siren. I even talked to some man on the radio.” His joy bordered on hysteria as his mother soothed him in her familiar embrace.
“I am so proud of you, Johnny,” she said as she kissed him. He covered his mouth with his hand so she couldn’t kiss him again.
“Don’t kiss me like I am a little baby,” Johnny scolded, “everyone is watching. I’m a fireman now.” His mother smiled and then looked up at the fireman.
“Thank you for letting...” she was saying before Baker interrupted her.
“Thank you, ma’am, for letting us borrow little Johnny today,” the big man said with tears forming in his eyes too. “He is a brave young man and did us a great service today. We all have kids of our own and only hope our boys and girls could behave as bravely as your son has.” Baker had to turn away to keep Johnny from seeing him cry.
“Come, Johnny,” she said. “Thank these good men and let’s go inside. You need to rest now. This has been a very big day.” Johnny shook some of the men’s hands and then walked back into his home. The mighty fire truck and other service vehicles drove away. No emergency here today, no call to be a hero.
This was the day to celebrate the town’s new hero. It was time to celebrate Fireman Johnny.