Regulars...

We all have regulars. Pubs have regulars, hairdressers have regulars, hell I'm sure even the coffee shop has them and the ambulance service is no different.
Regulars are all varied. Some are just plain annoying, calling because they're bored/lonely/can't find their back door key. Some are just victims of their circumstances, alcoholics, chronic respiratory problems or regular fallers. Some aren't regarded highly due to they're persistent aggressive and generally unpleasant demeanour, whereas some are adorable, kind, grateful and you may find yourself accidentally spending an hour there.
And then there are the special ones, regulars who out live many ambulance crews, who are known not just to the station, but to the sector and beyond.
In the years I've been doing this job I've come across many regulars, some spanning the length of my career, some very nice, unfortunate people and some nasty pieces of work.
I knew a particular one, who ticked all the boxes...At times a nasty person, with a horrendous addiction who was troubled by their past, or so it was to be believed and as, over the years the substance abuse took hold, they became more, contrite, to the point of grateful, no longer using us but relying on us. Maybe just because we were sympathetic, maybe deep down we understand or perhaps we had no choice, we would help where we could and leave when we couldn't. Recently I met this regular again and for the last time. The years of battering had ruined the organs and left them a shell, a shadow of their former selves.
As we delivered this barely conscious, dying patient to the hospice we said our goodbyes, so longs, in the cheery fashion we always do, like nothing is wrong.
The patient, for pretty much the first time since we arrived opened their eyes and looked straight at us.
"Thank you"
It was barely a whisper followed by a slow, tired smile
"Thank you, boys"
The room fell silent again
We turned and closed the door to the room, knowing that the years of trouble, strife, aggression, even violence were repented and admonished in just two little words.
The journey back was silent until my colleague wryly says, without eyes off the road
"The thing with regulars, one goes, another fills their place, just a gamble who it's going to be..."