2020-11-06 - Chance Encounter For A Pair Of Veterans

Devlin is chilling out at a table. Already has a coffee along with a couple of bagels with cream cheese in front of him. His black ball cap with a combat medic badge on it, rests on the table to one side. There is a look of amusement on his face as he looks at some message on his phone. As he taps on the phone, "So sad.. to bad, already off shift. And you owe me, Mikey boy.. no skating this time." And then the phone is put down with that expression of satisfaction hints at telling a gold brick to get something done for a change.

Josie makes her way into the shop. She scans the small crowd briefly before making her way up to the counter with a bright smile on her face. "Hey Susie! Yeah, I'll have a medium, hot... can I get some of that Sumatran blend? Thanks, Peach." She waits at the counter as the barista does her thing. She's not in uniform, either, as her shift hasn't started yet. She's currently wearing a sky blue cardigan and a pair of khakis, her hair loose at the moment. She notices the man wearing the vet's cap, a slight nod in his direction. She gets her coffee and tips decently for it before giving Susie a small and wave, walking over to an empty table. She looks out the plate-glass window at the mall parking lot.

As Josie enters, Devlin looks up at you as he finishes a bite from a bagel. Once you nod towards him, he smiles and then inquires, "New face at the station?" He sips at his coffee and then adds, "I think I saw you in passing when I was talking to the sergeant at the desk the other day." Both his tone and expression do carry a undercurrent of not being sure as he asks.

Josie blinks as the voice is aimed in her direction, taking her out of whatever lost thought was dwelling in her mind. "Oh!" She looks slightly shocked, mid-sip. "Sorry.. I'm not used to getting recognized.. At least not yet." She takes a napkin to wipe her mouth. "I just reported in a week ago. Do you...work at the station?" She's usually good with faces, however the past few weeks have been a blur. "I'm sorry. I'm Josie." Her smile is bright and her eyes are even brighter as she takes another sip, this time making sure she doesn't get any on her.

Devlin stands up as he offers a hand, "Devlin, and not PD, FD. I'm a paramedic. So not surprised at your not recognizing me right off. I tend to drop a lot of paperwork with the desk sergeants. All those so not fun joint call reports for domestic and other times where you need someone like me. So no apologies needed, Josie. Just one of those things a good medic picks up on, new faces being one of those."

Josie nods and stands from her seat and takes the offered hand, shaking it firmly. "Ah! EMT... which.." She rolls her eyes at herself for not putting the pieces together, a quick point to the hat that the man is wearing. "That shoulda clued me in." She smiles awkwardly before re-taking her seat and offering the man the one opposite to her. "So..." She decides to attempt the subject. "Have you been back long?"

"Four tours, two each between Iraq and Afghanistan with the 82nd." Devlin smoothly shifts tables, "Twelve years active and in the guard too these days. Pulled my Echo Tango Suitcase about 3 years ago. Been here for a year." He nods after sneaking in a sip of coffee as he settles. "How many tours and how long ago for you?"

Josie smiles and takes a sip. "Well, it's been about ten years now, between graduation, Boot, and MOS. I did three tours, mostly in the Afghan region. Started off as an MP, then served in a couple units who's designation I'm not at liberty to say." She grins. "Spent the last six months of duty in Walter Reed before moving back here, living with my parents."

There is a smile along with that roll of the eyes as you mention the not at liberty part. "One of the guys with Delta that I got to drink with loved to put it this way. It is amazing how often I miss remembered where I was.. and no idea how I got that scar." Devlin chuckles a bit, "I've got a few missing slices I can't talk about due to mission need in my life. Oh, if you are calling dispatch because of injuries or the potential of them.. for minor things, an EMT will do. But if it is going to get serious, ask specifically for a paramedic. We can do more for the victims, like administer various drugs on direction and some rather advanced life saving."

Josie nods, taking another sip. "Well, I'm not even about to go over 'scar history'." She chuckles.. "And yeah.. I'm still too new at being back to find more creative ways than to shell out the company line." she nods at the dispatch advice and blushes slightly. "Sorry.. I didn't mean to diminish your role when I called you a EMT." She finishes her coffee and then checks her watch (Yes, an actual watch). "And I should get going. I need to get ready before going in for Roll Call." She stands, grabbing her stuff. "So I'll see you around the station?"

Devlin says, "It's all good, Josie. Most times people just do not know." He sips his coffee, "Its the ones that do know and openly use that to disrespect us that bugs me. But if all works out, I should be in line for the Paramedic in Charge position for the department. It would be the paramedic version of a watch sergeant in the field. Would mean fewer 72 hour shifts for me. But mostly 40 hour week and on call two to four nights in a week."

Devlin stands and offers another hand shake, "Catch you at another time."

Josie nods, shaking the offered hand. "Well, good luck." She smiles again before she tosses out her trash and heads out the door.