Charlie Blackledge was a member of his volunteer fire department.

He was a perfect fit, because he was around during the day. That also propelled him through certified firefighter classes that would find career firefighters usually filling a class roster.

Charlie’s availability during the day wasn’t by choice; that is to say that Charlie had trouble finding work, then keeping the job. He had dropped out of high school during his sophomore year, but went back after he was married and got his GED. It was a very proud day for him.

But, Charlie lived in a small, rural town some thirty minutes from the “big city”, where the big jobs were. The few, good jobs that he was able to land, he eventually lost, because he didn’t have good, dependable transportation. Because of his financial condition, he had to buy fifty dollar cars and fix them up and then keep them running. He would eventually be fired for missing work.

So, Charlie would take any work that the good people in his village would offer him. Hard work was no problem to Charlie. He didn’t drink or smoke; most likely because he couldn’t afford to.

His wife, Diana wanted to help out, but couldn’t, because, as a young nurses’ aide, she had ruptured two discs in her lower back while working in the county nursing home. Severe arthritis prevented her from working, but she would occasionally babysit for other working parents.

Charlie was the only certified firefighter on his department. He took great pride in knowing that it wasn’t easy to become a certified firefighter. It was “atonement” for his dropping out of school. He might well have become a career firefighter had he thought of it at an earlier age.

But, he was 35 years old with a wife and two, small children, so he had pretty much shut that window of opportunity.

And besides; his department had paid for his training, so he owed it to them to use it for his department. He was their captain and training officer. He took them both very seriously.

Many of the houses in his village were older, two-story, balloon frame style. Charlie had heard all of the horror stories, had been to several acquired structure, live fire drills, where they were set on fire so that they could study the fire’s behavior. They would also do “light and fights”, so Charlie was well versed in tactics.

The Christmas season was upon them and it was going to be another lean Christmas in the Blackledge house. The fire department always had a party at the station for the area kids, ending with a visit from Santa.

It was looking like the only gifts that Bobby and Amy Blackledge would get this year would come from “Firefighter Santa”. Some of Charlie’s guys wanted to do more, but Charlie didn’t want hand outs.

On the other hand, he wanted his family to have a nice Christmas. He was still trying to save up a few dollars from his odd jobs to buy Christmas dinner and a few gifts, but the car needed new tires and a new heater core. He wasn’t sleeping well, to say the least.

It was Monday, December 21^st and Charlie was spending the day shoveling sidewalks and driveways for his villagers. He wouldn’t ask for money, but everyone was paying him something for his efforts.

He had found a set of tires that could be mounted and balanced for $120. The heater core was $100 installed. He was still $40 short, so the gas station was willing to let Charlie change out the tires for the difference.

Perfect; except that he had no money left for Christmas presents. His wife, Diana was OK with it, but he couldn’t bear the thought of seeing his kids without presents on Christmas morning. He hoped that Bobby and Amy would understand.

Just as Charlie got home from a long day with the snow shovel, the town siren went off. He kissed Diana, told Bobby and Amy that he loved them and bolted out the door to his car. He could already see smoke filling the sky.

Charlie got to the station, threw on his gear and jumped into the captain’s seat of their engine. The fire was at Emma Snodgrass’ house. It was an older, but very nice Victorian that sat on the village’s east edge. Emma’s Ford Focus was in the driveway, but Emma was no where to be found.

Fire was already pushing out of an upstairs’ window. Charlie was worried that Emma was still inside, so he told his crew to set up for water, but he was going in to do a quick, primary search.

He got to the front porch and looked through the window. It was smoky, but no fire, so he opened the door and headed to the stairway. His BA mask was fogging up, but he turned on his flush valve briefly to clear it.

He was yelling for Emma, but was getting no answer. He got to the bedroom and it was on fire. He got down on his belly, but didn’t see anyone. He continued down the hallway and opened a door. It was the bathroom.

At first, he didn’t see anyone, but when he threw back the shower curtain, he found Emma fully clothed and barely conscious in the bathtub.

Charlie picked her up and carried her in his arms back to the top of the stairway. There, he put her over his shoulders and carried her down the stairs and out the front door. He asked her if she was the only one and she whispered, “My pets; my babies”.

By now, the fire was through the roof and Charlie could see that he could not go back upstairs. Emma was pointing to the back of her house. Charlie ran to the back and saw the back door that led into the kitchen. On the floor, he could see a pet crate. The door was locked, so Charlie took his elbow and broke out the window. He reached in and unlocked the door.

As he entered the kitchen, he could feel the mist and steam from water now being applied to the fire. He grabbed the pet crate and took it outside to the backyard. He radioed his crew that he was outside.

Charlie bent down and looked into the crate at two, little critters. He took off his helmet, mask and gloves and reached in, suffering a bite. He pulled out his hand that had a kitten attached to it. It was black from soot, wearing a pink collar with a little bell on it and was very agitated. He stuck her in his coat; mistake #2!

Then, he looked back into the crate to see a little golden retriever puppy. The puppy was whimpering as Charlie pulled him out. Charlie held him to his neck, talking softly to him and the puppy started licking him on his chin. Charlie almost cried, but the kitten reminded him that she was still inside his coat!

When he got back to the front of the house with both pets safe and sound, Emma was already on her way to the hospital. Charlie would care for her pets until she got out of the hospital.

Charlie got back to the station and after he stowed his gear, he thought that he should clean up the puppy and kitten, so he took them to the utility sink. The puppy loved his bath. The kitten was an ultimate fighter, but Charlie won out in the end.

As Charlie was drying the kitten, the chief came over and told Charlie that Emma didn’t make it. Charlie collapsed into a chair.

“How could that be? She was talking to me”, said Charlie.

“She was 80 years old and I guess the stress was too much for her heart”, said Chief.

“What about her puppy and kitten?” asked Charlie.

“Can you take them for the time being? I’ll run to the store and get them some food”, said Chief.

“Sure thing. I just hope the kids don’t get too attached to them, you know?” said Charlie.

As Charlie drove home, he was saddened that his efforts didn’t give Emma a second chance in her late life, happy that, at least for a while, the critters would take his kids’ minds off of what would be a dismal Christmas, concerned that, when it came time to give the pets to Emma’s relatives, there would be heartache and most of all, Charlie was questioning how all of this would play out in the end.

As soon as Charlie walked through the door carrying the two little critters, Bobby and Amy were screaming with excitement. Bobby grabbed the puppy and Amy took the kitten. Christmas had come early!

Charlie stared at the floor. Diana was standing there, speechless. She was looking at Charlie with her mouth open. She could see tears trickling down Charlie’s cheeks. Diana grabbed him around his shoulders, put her head on his chest and softly said, “Tell me about it after we put the kids to bed”.

Charlie and Diana were sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee after the kids had FINALLY settled down enough to go to bed; Bobby with the puppy and Amy with the kitten.

Charlie told Diana everything; well, almost everything. Diana was worried about the kids and when the pets would be taken. Charlie said that he would try to explain it to them tomorrow after he did an equipment check at the fire station. Diana was going to bed. Charlie wanted to stay up for awhile. He wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway.

On Tuesday, December 22^nd, Charlie got to the station and was in the truck bay, making sure that the hose was loaded right. He double-checked the SCBAs and checked all of the compartments for tools. The guys were very good at getting ready for the next one, but Charlie liked to make sure-just to BE sure!

As he was coming around the front of the truck, he almost jumped out of his skin! A man in a long, wool coat was standing there. He asked, “Are you the fireman that rescued Emma’s pets from the fire?”

“Yes, sir, I am, but who are you; her son?” asked Charlie.

“No; Emma didn’t have any family; only her pets. I am her attorney”.

“So, do you want me to go and get the puppy and kitten for you?” asked Charlie.

“Do you have children, Charlie?” asked the attorney.

“Yes, I do; a boy, Bobby, who is seven and a girl, Amy, who is six”, said Charlie.

“You’re a blessed man, Charlie. Do you have any pets?” asked the attorney.

“No, but the kids went crazy when I brought the puppy and kitten home last night. They thought that they were Christmas presents and I couldn’t tell them the truth. But, I was hoping to give them back to Emma…” said Charlie, his voice quivering and trailing off.

“That’s why I’m here, Charlie. Emma wanted to be sure that, if anything should happen to her, she wanted her pets taken care of and loved as much as she loved them. I think your kids would love them, don’t you Charlie?” asked the attorney.

“Sir, if you could have been there last night and seen the joy in them two; you can’t imagine how happy it made me for a moment. I was sad to think that it was going to be taken from them”, said Charlie.

“Would you take Emma’s pets then? I know that she would want you to”, said the attorney.

“I would be honored to, sir”, said Charlie.

With that, the attorney handed Charlie an envelope.

“What’s this?” asked Charlie.

“It is a savings account set up at the bank for their continued care. It is designated for food, veterinary services and incidentals for the rest of their lives”, said the attorney.

“I wouldn’t feel right doing that. I should…” Charlie was cut off in mid-sentence.

“You don’t understand, Charlie. Emma set it up this way and that’s the way that it has to be”, said the attorney.

So, reluctantly, Charlie put the envelope in his pocket without looking at it.

“This envelope is for the care-givers as a show of appreciation from Emma. A like amount is going to the local “no kill” animal shelter. I know you were the one who rescued Emma and though she couldn’t thank you, I am overwhelmed and humbled by your act of bravery and am grateful that people like you are willing to risk your lives for your fellow Man. Please accept this on Emma’s behalf”, said the attorney.

“I don’t do it for money or recognition. If that is Emma’s wishes, then I humbly accept, but I don’t think I deserve it. Could I give some of it to my fire department and church?” asked Charlie.

“Sure; Emma would like that”, said the attorney.

Then, he left after firmly shaking Charlie’s hand. Charlie could tell from the look in his eyes that he was struggling with the loss of his client and friend.

Charlie put the second envelope with the first and left for home. He was shaking like a leaf the entire way. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before and it felt very strange.

Is it a dream? It can’t be. I haven’t been to sleep! Is it my imagination? It can’t be. No one could ever imagine something like this!

Charlie walked into the house to see his kids playing with “their” pets. He went to the kitchen, where Diana was finishing dishes. Charlie got a cup of coffee and sat there, staring at his cup.

“Is something wrong, honey?” asked Diana.

“I’m not sure”, said Charlie.

“What is it, then?” asked Diana.

Charlie reached into his back pocket and pulled out the two envelopes.

“Is it bad news? Should I open them? Will I be mad?” asked Diana.

“Only way to find out is to open them”, said Charlie.

“Open that one first”, said Charlie.

“It’s a savings account book to the bank”, said Diana.

“How much is in it?” asked Charlie.

“Seventy-five THOUSAND dollars?” exclaimed Diana.

“Dang; Emma wants us to take REAL good care of the puppy and kitten”, said Charlie.

“Charlie…” said Diana.

“I’ll tell you the story after you open the other envelope”, said Charlie.

Now, Diana was shaking and could barely open the envelope and take out the cashier’s check. She froze.

“Charlie; this isn’t some kind of a joke, is it?” asked Diana.

Charlie looked at her and asked, “What’s it say?”

Diana was speechless. She simply turned the check around to where Charlie could read it. Charlie took in a big breath, closed his eyes and started to sob. Diana couldn’t hold the check up any longer.

Charlie reached for her hand and Diana leaped into Charlie’s lap. Charlie asked her, “Do we deserve this? Is this kind of stuff supposed to happen to people like us?”

“Charlie Blackledge! I don’t know what “kind of people” you think we ARE, but I know that you’re a kind and caring man, who loves his family very much. You would give the shirt off your back to a total stranger, you think the world of your fire department, you have almost single-handedly kept our church from collapsing into a pile of bricks and YOU have to ASK if it’s wrong to accept an act of kindness? I swear, Charlie, I have a good mind to smack you a good one”, said Diana.

“I’m just afraid that it will change us”, worries Charlie.

“It won’t change WHO we are, but it will certainly change the WAY we are, but either way; WE control it”, offers Diana.

“I don’t deserve you”, says Charlie.