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The Polish Ladder Company

12/31/2025

Pam took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes for a quick prayer. Looking down at the handle, she willed herself to pull it.

‘Nuts. It’s a push handle.’ She gathered herself and pushed into the firehall, not knowing what to expect. And yet, she did.

What she saw inside the Polish Ladder Company looked like any holiday party at the Independence Fire Brigade in Bickleyville. She wandered away from the chill creeping in around the door. The usual spread of full-time flannel bros and their sports-fan gals mingled with guys whose wives had twisted their arms into dressing up. Young and old, casual and formal, stout and slim. There was room for everyone, even Pam.

“Good evening.” A tall man with frosty white hair and an immaculate Fire Chief’s uniform. “I’m Chief Zajączyk. Thank you for coming.”

“Oh, Zajączyk? Any relation to Zelda?”

“She’s my angel, and Herman is my little Devil Dog. You must be Pam Grayson. She was telling us about you.”

“She was?”

“Between you and Teddy’s grandma, it sounds like you planned a wedding all in one day. I wish Bob was half as organized as you.”

Another fireman in his finery stopped mid-stroll. “Hey, is somebody taking my name in vain around here?”

“Lieutenant Robert McGann, allow me to introduce Ms. Pam Grayson.”

“My pleasure.” He smiled and nodded. “I need to introduce you to my Alice.”

“Thanks.” She grinned sheepishly. “Could you tell me? Has Gary Light arrived?”

“Oh, sure.” Bob said. “He’s over by the punch bowl with Joe and Darlene. C’mon, I’ll show you.” He hooked an elbow.

“Nice to meet you, Chief. Give Zelda my best. She really is an angel.” She said as Lt. McGann led her to the punch bowl. ‘Oh, my.’

“Do you think she’ll show?” Joe teased.

Darlene jabbed him with her elbow. “If she said she’s coming, she’s coming.”

“Yeah, we just got started, Joe. Give her a moment to…” He fell silent as he saw Bob McGann escorting Pam.

“Ha ha, has the cat got your…” Joe turned to see what Gary was looking at.

“Wow.” Darlene grinned. “Looks like your friend knows how to make an entrance.”

Pam walked arm-in-arm with Lt. McGann. She had one of those wrap capes that you only ever saw in catalogs or on society ladies on TV. It was thick cashmere in a warm shade of camel that contrasted with the caramel suede, knee-high slouch boots that made her legs look like they went on for miles.

“The young lady was telling me she was looking for a Gary Light.” Bob grinned. “Since you’re the only Gary Light I’m acquainted with, I guess she’ll have to settle for you.”

“Gee, thanks for the ringing endorsement, Bob.” Gary smirked. “He’s a kidder. Pam, I’d like to introduce Joe and Darlene McNally.”

She reached out to shake hands. “Gary showed me your yard characters. I like how you got their movements synchronized. It really sells the show.”

“He makes it look easy.” Darlene grinned. “Except for all the yelling while he’s setting up, but nothing’s perfect. Hey, Gary said you work at the hospital?”

“That’s right. I’m down in billing.”

“I’m a receptionist for Dr. Hu, the cosmetic surgeon. He does such lovely work.”

“Oh, sure. I’ve seen charges for two doctors named Hu. You wouldn’t expect that, would you?” Pam studied Gary’s sweater momentarily before turning back to Darlene.

“That’s his sister. She’s a psychiatrist. They’re both geniuses, I swear.”

Pam nodded and tried not to stare at Gary’s sweater, but it was really something.

“Can I take your, um, cape?” He stepped back to give her room to unfurl it.

She gave him a smile and reached over her shoulder to tug at the flap that had been tastefully draped to hold the garment in place. The whole thing whirled off of her in a move she’d spent all afternoon practicing in front of her long mirror. Like magic, the soft brown cape was draped over the crook of her elbow.

Beneath, she wore a plum-toned charcoal turtleneck with a structured vest bearing a glistening silver wreath brooch dotted with green and red gemstones. Her knee-length woolen skirt wrapped around her slim hips, ending in braided fringe. The pattern was a claret-and-dove plaid, and it fastened with an antiqued pewter buckle on the integrated belt. Between hem and boot, a tease of muted plum woolen tights.

She handed him the cape and took stock.

Gary had told her he’d be wearing a sweater and slacks. This was the vibe she was looking to match, and modesty demanded that she admit to herself that she wanted to take it one step beyond without going overboard.

In fairness, the slacks were nicely pleated and the dark gray color complemented her selection, but that sweater. She could see a button-down celadon Oxford collar peeking out of the quarter-zip, fleece-lined sweater. ‘Maybe he’ll take it off. I hope.’

“Oh, isn’t this a beaut? Abby got this for me a couple years ago.” He swept his hands down the exaggerated cable-knit surface. The shoulders bore a pattern that looked like someone had clipped a string of snow-covered Christmas trees and fastened them to a deep forest green sweater. The deep green faded from chest to hem in a subtle ombré ending in a warm fir green. Whoever had lined the thing had doubled up on the fleece padding to force a more muscular profile.

Her eyes softened as the words sank in. Only a teenage girl who idolized her father would save up her money to buy this bizarre Thor-on-vacation cosplay sweater. It didn’t make her like it. That was never going to happen, but she could see Abby’s arms wrapped around him in love and appreciation in that gosh-awful sweater.

Abby slapped down a pair of queens. “Harry, do you have any fives?”

“Nope. Go fish.” He pulled Zelda close and whispered something in her ear that made her blush.

Abby snarled as she pulled a card that wasn’t a five. “He’s going to kiss her. Isn’t he?”

“If you insist.” Harry grinned and kissed Zelda’s cheek.

She rolled her eyes and looked over at Gabe. Teddy was nestled in his grandfather’s nap, wrapped in a blanket like a prince on a throne. He pointed at the TV.

“Yes, that’s a Marine, just like Daddy. Doesn’t he look sharp?” He waved at the screen. “Hi, Mr. Marine. Oorah! Can you say oorah?”

“Da!”

“Close enough.” Matt laughed. “Abby, do you have any nines?”

“Sure.” She handed it over. “Do you have anything like a clue?”

“Hey!” Bonnie scowled. “The role of the surly one is already assigned to me. Stay in your lane, kid.”

“Well, somebody tell me. He’s going to kiss her. Isn’t he?”

“Of course, he is.” Bonnie slapped down a pair of kings. “Have you seen her?”

“Too much.”

“Well, get used to it, girlie. She’s not going anywhere. Your dad has made a connection, and I totally ship it.”

Abby tossed her cards into the fishpond and got up from the table. “Who cares what you want?”

“Who cares what I want? Exactly. Who cares what any of us want? It’s his life, and he could do a lot worse than Pam.”

Pam sipped her punch. She was looking at the coat rack. Her cashmere wrap hung on one coat hanger, and his Nordic nightmare hung beside it. Gary looked like himself instead of a counterfeit Scandinavian quarterback. The fleece lining had done its job a little too well, and now he had his light green shirt sleeves rolled up and his collar open a button farther.

She checked her overreach. ‘You wouldn’t appreciate him looking down your shirt, so you shouldn’t be looking down his. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, even if he’s got chest hair.’ She closed her eyes and counted down from ten. ‘Get a grip. Ugh, wrong metaphor. Control yourself.’

“Are you okay?” Gary whispered.

“Never better.” She smiled. She opened her eyes slowly, finding his studying her. A thrill chased down her spine. “Did you like the ham? I thought the ham was very moist.”

“Yeah, the ham’s great. You can never go far long letting firemen handle the feast.”

“It feels like home.”

“You enjoyed firemen’s breakfasts in Bickleyville?”

“Oh, good job. You said that without wincing this time.”

“Sorry about that. I actually find everything about you appealing, even Bickleyville.”

“You’re not so bad yourself, Mr. Light. Yes, I enjoyed many a fireman’s breakfast in Bickleyville. Who knows home fries and bacon better than guys like this?”

“I can’t argue with that, but I’d like to show you how I do with pork and sauerkraut if you’re free.”

“Pork and sauerkraut?”

“It’s a Pennswald Dutch thing. New Year’s Day isn’t right without pork and sauerkraut.”

“That sounds interesting. Can I bring something?”

“Just a smile and an appetite.”

“I think I can manage that. What time? That doesn’t sound like breakfast food.”

“You’re welcome whenever you can make it. I’ll try to have it ready for noon, but we’ll start watching the Rose Parade at eleven.”

“Ooh, I love the Rose Parade. Deal.”

Matt stood out on the front porch holding Abby. “Come on inside, Abby.”

“I need to cool off.” She thumped his chest with a balled fist. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”

“We’re getting married. What else really matters?”

“Everything is so stupid and broken and you’re going to go back and…” She sobbed on his chest.

“Eventually, hon. That’s where I’m stationed until the Marines tell me somewhere else to go.”

“I waited so long, Matt. I was so patient. I prayed, and I was so sure.”

“Thanks.”

“Now it’s all messed up.”

“Why? It all looks good to me. My folks love you. Teddy is healthy and growing strong. Your dad approves of me. You named our baby after my boss, the chaplain. I can’t see things being any better.”

“But there’s a Sheila…”

“So what? I wasn’t interested in her before I got blown up. Why would I start when I’ve got you and Teddy and everything we have to look forward to?”

“But she’s…” She sniffled. “…and I’m just…”

“Perfect. You’re perfect for me, and I will never need anyone but you.”

She leaned into him and blubbered. He held her tight and loved her back.

The lights had dimmed, and the firemen had pointed colored spotlights at the many disco balls hanging from the rafters. The firehall was a swirling kaleidoscope of colored squares and diamond shapes.

Everyone gathered on the dance floor with their champagne glasses and their favorite people. Gary had his champagne glass in one hand and Pam’s hand in the other.

“Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!”

He looked at her. She smiled and leaned in. He gave her a friendly peck and sipped his champagne.

‘Really? Friend-zoned under a disco ball?’ She sipped her champagne and leaned in again. ‘Don’t leave me hanging.’ She waited a moment with her eyes closed.

Then it happened.

“Wow.” She opened her eyes and looked deeply into his.

He smiled. “Back at you.”

The DJ played a slow instrumental of Auld Lang Syne.

“May I have this dance?” Gary whispered.

She nodded and held out her arms. He held up a finger and took her champagne glass. He was back immediately to take her into his arms. Her hand in his. His other hand on her hip.

‘You can go a little lower.’ She rested her head on his chest and rocked along.

He led her back to the table after the song. “Can I get you some punch?”

‘OH, YOU’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE, BUDDY!’ She smiled and shook her head. “I’m good.”

“Yeah, you are. Aren’t you?”

She smiled at him dreamily. ‘Okay, we’re back in peeling territory. What? No! Put that stupid sweater back on or something shocking is going to happen here.’

“Say, do you want me to follow you back to your place to make sure you got home safely?”

‘Yes! Every bit as good as a bucket of ice water. You are NOT coming to my unfurnished, sad mess of an apartment. No, sir.’ She smiled sweetly. “No, that’s okay. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you for the parade. Right?”

“I’m looking forward to it.” He smiled.

‘Yeah, but is Abby?’ She smiled and held his hand. ‘At least I know where I stand with you. I think.’