Diamonds In the Rough

Shelly entered the room. There seven men stood. She felt alone. She wished she hadn't dreamt of a career fighting fires. All through her training she kept telling herself other women would join, and others joined. But the further she progressed, the fewer women she met. Now her crew consisted of seven men and herself.

Her boss, Barry, made her feel comfortable. He even asked her to a movie the week after they met. She hoped things would improve after that.

But when they got to the theatre, Barry ordered popcorn, coke, and candy bars without even asking her. He didn't even ask what movie she preferred. He just guided her through the door. The movie, whose name she couldn't remember, took place in the future with aliens and people who couldn't seem to remember where they'd come from. Shelly didn't appreciate it nor did she appreciate the domination that Barry showed her. She felt like an infant. After the movie, Barry asked, "You want to go to my house for a nightcap?" When she agreed, he grabbed her and started touching her in inappropriate places. "Your long curly hair really turns me on. I can imagine moving inside of you and curling about in you." She almost cried "I want to go home," but feared that he wouldn't take her anyway.

When they got to his house, he began throwing off his clothes. She said, "I don't do that on a first date. I don't like the way you treated me tonight. I have a mind and opinions of my own. I don't like you treating me as if my opinions don't count. I'm not just a sex object, but a strong capable woman. I want to go home now. Please take me."

He refused, and Shelly looked for other transportation. It proved difficult because he lived far from town. She didn't know how she could do her job with him as boss. His greying temples reminded her of her father. She remembered him having a dark tan and muscular build much like Barry. Now she knew, he also treated women with the same disrespect.

As Shelly suspected, Barry didn't let her share in any of the action of the first fires. Barry always gave Shelly the easiest jobs. Whenever she lifted something heavy, he signaled one of the men or helped her himself. She felt like he didn't trust her. She knew he didn't give her the credit she deserved. She felt more like a burden than an asset. When the crew met after a weekend, the others groaned as she entered. They often laughed and said, "Did your mommy come today?"

Then the news came that the fires in the Northwest needed more workers. Shelly volunteered first. She wanted to get away from Barry's dominance and from the other crew members' ridicule. Barry tells her, "I signed up to go help in the Northwest." Sighing deeply and shaking her head, she packed her things. He would she thought; now that I too have signed on. She only hoped she had another boss.

Unfortunately that wish didn't come true. Barry's experience followed him and the officials there asked him to oversee the new workers. That meant that Shelly's treatment continued, but now other women fought on the lines also. She didn't feel so alienated or weak.

At least now, she put out the smaller fires and shoveled dirt over the hot spots along with other women. Here she felt she contributed to the whole fight. She hadn't seen Barry that day and hoped nothing happened to him. Not that she missed him only that he wasn't babying her. She saw him later coughing and realized he came out with a paramedic. Now maybe she could show those she worked with that she could work as well as any of them.

After Barry left, the others don't treat her much better than Barry because of the reputation he'd made for her. She told the new boss, "I can work as hard as anyone here. Please give me a chance to show you what I can do."

"OK, then. Let's go to the east and get to work. Shelly, you grab a hose and come with me." The others shook their heads. They didn't show much support or confidence, but she ignored it. She doused the flames until they went out, then she grabbed a shovel without anyone asking her and worked on keeping the hot spots under control. While the others rested, she headed to the line and dug a ditch in hopes of keeping the fire from jumping to the other side.

With very little rest, she continued to work hard, but after two weeks the hard work began to take its toll and a wave of dizziness sweeps over Shelly. She tried to hide it and continued to work hard, but the lack of rest overtook her and she fell unconscious.

Later at the hospital, many of the crew congratulated her and told her, "We think you deserve a medal or a reward. You really helped a lot. While many of us slept, you fought the flames and really stopped the worst of the fire. We don't understand why Barry refuses to let you do your job. You're great!"

"Luckily, I'm just suffering from exhaustion and a little smoke inhalation. I really want to get out of here and back on the line. Will you all help me when Barry returns?" Most nodded their heads.

Just then Barry entered the room. Everyone stopped talking. An uncomfortable silence that seemed to last for hours filled it. Finally, Barry greeted Shelly. "How you doing? I heard you tried to steal my job. How did you get so good so fast?"

"Maybe if you'd give me a chance, you'd see what a great firefighter you have. I think I'll try smoke jumping next. I like the thrill of putting out fires from the air."

"I admit you worked as hard and as long as me. I thank you for that. You really hung in there even after the bad time I gave you. Now that I know you can go it, I'll give you bigger and better assignments."

I thought I'd never say this to a woman, but I respect you. Thank you for not quitting. Your performance showed me up."

Lying back on the soft pillow, Shelly sighed. Finally, Barry and the crew accepted her as one of them. Now she felt like a real fire fighter.