Into the Fire

Chapter 12

-GABBY DAWSON POV-

-AFTER SHIFT AT HOME-

Matt was at his construction job, and I haven't told him about RJ, but I have a feeling after a little research he will want to foster that poor kid. I was on the internet looking how to sign up and what classes I would have to take. I almost spit out my coffee when I read it would take 9 months at least for me to be approved as a foster parent. So I looked up the adoption requirements I fit all of them, so I could adopt him within a month, because he has no living family members. I would have to talk to Matt, but I think he would be up to it.

-FIVE HOURS LATER-

"Hey I'm home" Matt yelled from the front door I was in the kitchen making dinner. I was standing at the stove mixing the rice when two strong arms wrapped around my waist, and Matt rested his chin on my shoulder "Looks good" he said "Thanks". About five minutes later I had dinner ready and on the table it was time to talk to him and see if he would want to adopt this kid with me. "So I have something to ask you" I said "shoot" "Okay so on this call during shift we came to this house and a teenage boy fell down the stairs and his parents were dead with a bottle of oven cleaner by them. When we took him to Med on the way he woke up he said his name was RJ and he was 17 also that he didn't have any family so when he got released today he went into the system and was taken away by DCFS. I was wondering how would you feel about adopting him....together..." silence fell over us we ate silently for about five minutes "Gabby I love you, and I want a family with you, but we are just starting out what happens if something gets in the way and we break up" "I get what you're saying, but I can't let that poor kid go into that system, so I will adopt him by myself" "Gabby do some research before you jump into anything" "I did research while you were at your job, and within a month the adoption can become legal." "Gabby think before you do this" "I have and I will I can't let this poor kid get thrown into that messed up system" "Gabby if you do this I can't do that with you, so choose our relationship, or that kid, cause it is not fair to put him through this!" "I will pick up the rest of my stuff tomorrow while you are at your construction job". With that I calmly got up and walked into the bedroom. With that I packed a bag if he didn't want to do this with me fine, but I am going to make sure that boy is safe. I walked out of the bedroom and he was on the couch watching the black hawk's game. He patted the spot next to him "Come sit and sleep on the idea and make a choice tomorrow" "I have already made my choice out of the options you gave me I am going t do right by this kid." With that I walked out I don't know where I will go, but I do know Antonio has a camper that I can tow behind my SUV.

-THE NEXT DAY-

I woke up trying to remember where I was. I was in my car it was 6am, and I remembered I had to catch Antonio and ask him if I can live in his trailer. I got everything organized and started driving when I got to my brother's house he was just about to leave "Antonio!" I yelled "hey sis" "Can I ask a favor of you" "sure anything" "Could I live in your trailer?" "Yes, but why" "I am adopting this kid and Matt didn't want to do it with me so I am doing this on my own and I need a place to live" "Okay here are the keys and it is on lot 432" "thanks bro". With that I went back to the apartment and saw Matt's truck gone, and I went in and packed everything that was mine up. I stuffed it all into my SUV went back up locked the door, and left the key in the mail box. With that I drove to Chicago hills trailer park and got to lot 432. I opened the camper and started bringing in boxes. I got all the boxes in when my phone was ringing I looked and saw Matt's name and photo.

-PHONE CONVERSATION-

"Hey Matt what's up"

"So you really left"

"Yes I told you I was leaving and I am going to adopt RJ"

"I come home to see all your stuff gone and find your key in the mail box where did you go"

"Why are you asking?"

"So I can bring you home"

"I am not coming home"

"Why not"

"Because I am doing this I am adopting RJ without you. And you even said you didn't want to, but I do so I am"

"Gabby...."

"Bye Matt"

-END OF CALL-

I ended the call and my relationship with Matt. I hope he understands why I am doing this. I was three in the afternoon so I went to DCFS and picked up adoption forms for RJ Ryan's. I filled them out in two hours and turned it in right as they were closing. Close call I guess with that I went home, and fell asleep not able to sleep thinking about Matt, and what everyone else will think.

-NEXT DAY AT THE FIREHOUSE-

I pulled up to the firehouse, and I was the last one there. I wasn't late though. I walked through the bay doors, and Matt just looked at me like I killed a puppy. I headed to the locker room, and saw Shay "Hey Dawson" "Hey Shay" "So did you talk to Casey about RJ" "Yeah..." "What did he say" "he didn't want to so I am going to adopt RJ on my own" "where are you living" "In my brothers trailer" "Nope you're going to live with me I have two extra bedrooms, and they are calling you name" "Thanks Shay and I am not going to tell the rest of the house until the adoption comes through.

AMBULANCE 61 MAN DOW FROM UNKOWN CAUSES 8375 WEST CEEDER

We got in the ambo and sped off. We arrived on scene to a man stuck under his car. "Sir you okay? Are you having hard time breathing?" I ask "No there is just a lot of blood under here" I crawled down on my hands and knees he was losing blood from a huge cut in his head. "Shay get the backboard and call for a truck assist" I said as I crawled under the car trying to treat the guy's head. This car was going to go at any moment in time, so I told Shay to hand me the very thick board by the wall I propped the car up a little bit got the backboard under the man and slid him out I was about to cancel the truck company assist when the car gave out and the piece of wood snapped. For a few seconds all I saw was blood, then nothing.