FURTHER ADVENTURES OF
"THE GIRL NEXT DOOR"
by Marty P.
"Hi, Daddy," Jennifer said as she walked in the door."Hi, honey, why don’t you climb up in Daddy’s lap?" After they cuddled for a few minutes, Roy asked, "Whatcha been doing today?"
"I was just over visiting Marjy," Jennifer told him.
"Well, how is our next door neighbor?" Roy asked, as he hugged her tightly.
"Fine," she replied contentedly. She continued, "Daddy, what’s a simple episode?"
"Well, Jen, sometimes you do ask hard questions. Can you give me any more information?" Roy requested.
"I think it has something to do with fainting, at least that’s what Marjy…"
Before she could finish, Roy started to rise from the chair. "Honey, do you mean syncopal episode? Did Marjy faint?" He placed her on the floor and quickly headed toward the door.
Marjy, a single lady, frequently required assistance from the DeSoto family.
"Daddy, wait!" Jennifer called. "Marjy’s not hurt! Please don’t go over to her house!"
He returned to his daughter and knelt before her. "Jennifer, are you sure Marjy is not sick or hurt? You do understand that Daddy is always willing to go over and help her, right?"
"Yes, Daddy. I know you would take care of her. You help lots of people cuz you’re a paramedic!" she said proudly. "Daddy, I promised Marjy I would keep a secret. She has a surprise for you and Johnny!"
"When will she tell us what it is?" he asked curiously.
"In a few days. I think she said the next time Johnny comes over to our house she’ll tell you both about the surprise. I’ve got a secret! I’ve got a secret!" she repeated excitedly.
###
Several days later…
"Hey, Roy! Thanks for inviting me over!" Johnny announced as he entered the DeSoto home. "What’s up?" He asked.
"Well, Marjy…" Roy started to say.
Johnny interrupted before he could finish. "Oh, no! What’s she done now?" He quickly darted out the door. He remembered the many times he and Roy had helped her.
"Johnny, slow down! She’s okay!" Roy shouted at Johnny who had hastened to Marjy’s doorstep.
"So, Roy, tell me about Marjy. Are you sure she doesn’t need help?" Johnny clarified.
"Yeah, Johnny. According to Jennifer she has a surprise for us. Jennifer knows the secret and has been dying to tell it, believe me!"
"Is it all right to go over to Marjy’s house now?" Johnny asked.
"We better check with Jennifer. I think she would be really disappointed if she wasn’t there when we found out what it was!" Roy informed him.
"Jennifer, would you come here please?"
"Sure, Daddy, what did ya want?"
"Jennifer, is it okay for Johnny and me to go over to Marjy’s house now?"
"Yeah. Marjy said whenever Johnny arrived you two should head over! Boy, I can hardly wait!"
The three of them were soon standing in Marjy’s living room.
"Tell them, Marjy! Tell them!" Jennifer said excitedly. "They’ll be so proud of you!"
"Well, Johnny, Roy," Marjy began slowly. "I told you I was considering a career change, becoming either a paramedic or a nurse."
"Yes, we remember, don’t we Roy?" Johnny stated.
Before Roy could reply, Marjy continued, "I talked to Dixie about six weeks ago and she suggested I take a first aid course first."
"Good for her! That should give you an introduction to medicine. Besides, first aid is useful for everyone!" Johnny congratulated her. "So, how have the classes been?"
"They’ve been great. I have my final tomorrow," Marjy informed him.
"Marjy, I’m proud of you! And, Jennifer, I’m proud of you, too! You did a great job keeping Marjy’s secret! Way to go!" Roy complimented them.
Jennifer ran to her father and gave him a bear hug. "Thanks, Daddy!"
"Would you like us to quiz you?" Roy queried.
"Guys, I would really appreciate your help," Marjy answered Roy.
"Okay, question number one Marjy. What is the most important rule to remember when giving someone first aid?" Johnny asked.
"Stay calm!" Marjy replied emphatically.
"Very good. Now what is the second rule when rendering assistance?" Roy added.
"Try to get someone to go and call for help!" Marjy answered.
"Excellent! You’re doing great!" Johnny proclaimed. "Okay, what is ABC?"
"I know, I know!" Jennifer said, jumping up and down.
"Are you sure, honey?" Roy interjected quickly.
"Yes, Daddy, it’s airway, breathing and circulation!" Jennifer answered proudly.
"Wow, Jennifer! How did you know that?" Roy asked in amazement.
"I helped Marjy study!" Jennifer announced.
"Man, you two have been busy!" Johnny exclaimed.
The two paramedics continued to question Marjy about various aspects of first aid.
She answered each one correctly. After awhile, Roy pronounced, "Marjy, you should ace your final exam! I’m impressed!"
"Me, too!" Johnny concurred.
"Well…I guess I better tell you," Marjy began hesitantly, "You’re right, we have a written test followed by a "hands-on" exam. The group I was assigned chose me to be the…victim."
After a brief pause, Roy stated, "Marjy, I bet they selected you because you know the material so well."
###
A week later…
Johnny and Roy stood in the DeSoto backyard watching Marjy and Jennifer play tag.
"Roy, that woman sure is a kid at heart, isn’t she?"
"Yeah, Johnny. No wonder Jennifer enjoys spending time with her!"
"By the way, how did Marjy’s final for first aid go?" Johnny asked.
"She passed with flying colors, Johnny. She really knew the material."
"Roy, I nearly burst into laughter when she told us she was chosen as the victim. She’s had so much practice already in that aspect of first aid," Johnny remarked to Roy, chuckling.
"I know, partner. Me, too." Roy replied. "You know, though, neither of us wanted to hurt her feelings."
"You got that right, Pally," Johnny declared.
Jennifer ran by and Johnny shouted after her, "Come on, Jen! Don’t let Marjy catch you!"
Marjy, distracted by Johnny’s call, failed to notice the tree in her path.
Suddenly, she found herself lying on her back, trying to catch her breath.
Johnny and Roy dashed over to her.
"Marjy, I am so sorry!" Johnny apologized. "Are you all right?"
"Johnny, I think she had the wind knocked out of her." Roy turned to Marjy. "Take slow breaths. You should be okay."
In a few minutes, Marjy was able to speak. "I believe I’m fine, guys. See what I get for acting like a kid?"
"Let me help you up, anyway," Johnny told her.
He grasped her hand to assist her, and heard her moan in pain. "Marjy, where does it hurt?" Johnny asked, very concerned.
"My shoulder. I guess I impacted with the tree there," Marjy replied reluctantly.
Roy gently moved her shoulder. "Marjy, it appears you dislocated your shoulder. I’ll be right back. Let me find something to immobilize your shoulder with."
He returned quickly and the two paramedics soon had Marjy’s injury bound in cloths.
"Does this mean another trip to Rampart?" she asked plaintively.
"Afraid so, Marjy. I’ll take her in my car, Roy."
"I can go with you, Johnny."
"No, Roy, Joanne’s not home. You need to stay with Jennifer."
After arriving at Rampart, they encountered Dixie on her way to a treatment room.
"Marjy, what happened?" she inquired.
"Well, I guess I caused her injury…" Johnny explained.
"No, Johnny, it was an accident. I ran into a tree," Marjy told Dixie.
"We’ll try to take care of you soon Marjy," Dixie notified her.
In a short while, Marjy was led to x-ray to determine the severity of her shoulder injury.
Doctor Early read the developed films and rewrapped her shoulder. Then he stated, "Marjy, you do have a dislocated shoulder. It will take about three weeks to heal and you’ll need to keep it in a sling."
"Thanks Doc," Johnny said gratefully. "Roy and I will keep an eye on her."
###
Six weeks later…
Johnny and Roy were at the station, changing clothes after a long shift.
"Oh, Johnny, don’t forget. Marjy invited you, me, and my family over for dinner tomorrow night. You didn’t make any other plans, did you?" Roy reminded his partner.
"No Roy, I kept my schedule open," Johnny told him. "She really didn’t have to include me. I’m not her neighbor."
"Well, she considers you her friend," Roy informed him.
"I consider her my friend as well," Johnny affirmed.
###
The next afternoon…
Marjy was in the midst of her preparations for dinner. She was frying bacon on the stove in an iron skillet. It began to spit and spray grease around the stove. She quickly grabbed a towel to move the skillet off the burner. Without warning, the grease splashed onto the piece of fabric, causing it to ignite. Marjy stared in horror at the flames in front of her.
With her left hand she snatched the lid for the skillet and covered the bacon. Then she rushed over to the sink with the flaming towel and ran water on it, dousing the flames. She emitted a sigh of relief and reached over to remove the skillet from its heat source.
"Oh, no!" she exclaimed as the hot iron burnt her hand. Clutching her injured hand, she ran out the door and over to the DeSoto home.
Roy answered the door. Marjy stood on his steps looking pale, frightened and in obvious pain.
"Marjy, what’s wrong?" he asked in consternation.
"Johnny, come here!" he cried as he guided Marjy into the kitchen.
Johnny entered the room quickly. "What do ya need, Roy? Oh!" He stopped abruptly as he saw Marjy.
Roy, seeing her red palm, had placed cool, running water on it at the sink.
"Johnny, she has a burn. Would you ask Joanne for something to wrap it in?"
"Marjy, why don’t you sit down and I will pat this dry," Roy said to Marjy.
After a few minutes, he asked her gently, "Can you talk now?"
She took a deep breath and nodded. "Roy, I was cooking bacon and it caught fire on the stove."
"What!" Johnny, who had just reentered the room, said forcefully. He continued, "Did you put it out?"
"I think so," she replied tearfully.
"Johnny and I will be right back, Marjy. We’ll go check."
They flew over to her home. Not seeing any smoke, they entered her kitchen. Except for the burnt towel, there was no evidence of a fire.
They returned to Roy’s home. Joanne was consoling Marjy. "It’s okay. It can happen to anyone, Marjy."
"You did put out the fire, Marjy. You did the right thing," Roy informed her.
"Let’s take a look at your burn, Marjy. How are you feeling now?" Johnny questioned as he examined her blistered palm.
"Looks like a second degree burn, Roy. Why don’t you dress it and I will check her pulse."
He glanced at Marjy who was still pale. "You had quite a scare, didn’t you?"
She nodded.
"Marjy, since this is a second degree burn and it’s on your hand as well, it would be wise for a doctor to check it," Roy said firmly.
"Well, Marjy Mishap does it again!" Marjy replied in frustration.
"Pardon me?" Johnny stared at her, stunned.
"Yeah, that’s what they used to call me in grade school because I was always having accidents. I was hoping I could outgrow that talent," she remarked sadly.
"Marjy, that’s ridiculous! Anyone can have misfortunes!" Roy announced vehemently. He turned to Johnny. "Right, partner?"
"He’s right, Marjy. I’ve had my share of, unusual events, too," he answered.
He continued, "Now, let’s get you over to Rampart, and get back here. I’m looking forward to supper at your house."
"Oh, dear! I forgot all about the dinner!" Marjy remembered.
"Why don’t we address that issue when you return from the hospital?" Joanne suggested.
"Good idea, Joanne," Roy said thankfully. "All right, let’s go guys."
###
That evening…
"Marjy, this pizza is delicious!" Johnny said, chomping his fourth slice.
"Well, you can thank the kitchens at the Pizza Palace for their culinary skill," Marjy retorted, "this wasn’t the original menu."
"Marjy, the important thing is friends spending time together," Roy consoled her.
"I know, Roy, but I wanted this to be a meal where I could thank you all for the many things you’ve done…" she said wistfully.
"Hey, we’re just really glad you and your house are all right!" Johnny announced.
"We care about you, not your food…" Joanne told her.
"Hey, is there any dessert?" Chris asked.
###
About two months later…
"Hi Joanne! Is Roy ready for my help?" Johnny asked.
"He sure is! Johnny, we appreciate your willingness to help us paint Chris’ bedroom," Joanne said thankfully.
"Will Chris and Jennifer be underfoot while we’re working?" Johnny inquired.
"No, both of them are working with Marjy today. Right now they are pulling weeds in her garden. I think she said she was paying a penny per weed. She also plans to take them for ice cream later. She’ll keep them busy," Joanne replied.
"That’s great. I enjoy both of them, but we’ll finish so much faster without them…helping," Johnny remarked.
While Roy and Johnny undertook the painting project, Marjy, Chris and Jennifer worked diligently in her yard.
"Marjy, look how many weeds I’ve pulled! Must be about 500 by now!" Jennifer said enthusiastically.
Marjy glanced at the small pile of "weeds" Jennifer had plucked and proclaimed, "my, Jennifer, you have pulled quite a few haven’t you?"
"I have more than she does!" Chris declared.
"I know, Chris, but you are bigger than she is," Marjy said to him quietly.
As she glanced over at Jennifer she saw her reach for a stem with a wasp on it. Before she could warn the little girl, the insect stung her.
"Yeow!" Jennifer screamed. "Oh, it hurts! It hurts!"
Marjy quickly reached her side and led her into the kitchen. Jennifer was still sobbing.
"Chris, go get your father and tell him Jennifer was stung by a wasp," Marjy ordered.
"Jennifer, calm down. I know it hurts," Marjy consoled her.
"Come over to the sink and let’s wash it. Then we’ll put some ice on it and that will make it feel better," Marjy informed her.
She led the sniffing girl over to the faucet.
"Jennifer, is this the first time you’ve been stung?"
"I don’t know Marjy. Is it important?"
"Don’t worry about it, Jennifer. I’ll just ask your Daddy, he’ll know."
"That looks nice and clean," Marjy said as she gently dried the injured thumb. "Let’s put ice on it now, okay?"
Jennifer sat on a kitchen chair while Marjy wrapped ice in a towel and placed it on the table. "There, it will feel even better now. Just put your thumb on this."
###
In the meantime, Chris ran home.
"Dad!" He yelled. "Come over to Marjy’s…"
"What happened to Marjy?" Johnny interjected.
"Johnny, it’s not Marjy! Jennifer’s hurt! Marjy told me to come and get you!" he announced.
The kitchen door was flung open and two paint spattered paramedics scrambled into the room.
"Jennifer, are you all right?" Roy asked in consternation.
"Roy, did Chris tell you a wasp stung her?" Marjy notified him, "I’ve washed her thumb and applied ice. She couldn’t remember if she’s ever been stung. I’ve been watching for any symptoms of anaphylactic shock but she seems to be all right," Marjy stated.
"Look, Daddy! There’s just a little red spot where the wasp stung me! Marjy helped me feel better!" Jennifer said, holding up her hand.
"Thank you so much, Marjy! You did everything Johnny or I would have done. Looks like you remembered what the first aid class taught you!"
"Congratulations, Marjy! Job well done!" Johnny added.
"Jennifer, are you ready to go home now?" Roy inquired.
"What about the ice cream we were going to get?" Jennifer asked.
"We’ll do that right now!" Marjy informed her. "Come on, Chris!"
"See you later, guys!" she called after them.
###
The next day at the station…
"You know Roy, I had some real concerns about Marjy working in the medical field. But when I saw the way she handled Jennifer’s wasp sting, I had second thoughts."
"Johnny, think about it. We’ve always been bailing her out of difficulties. This is the first time we saw her helping someone else. She came through when it was necessary."
"You’re right, Roy. Has she told you whether she’s still considering a career as a nurse or a paramedic?"
The Girl Next Door - Installment One
Marjy Becomes A... - Installment Three
Marjy Falls Down On The Job - Installment Four
The Benefit - Installment Five