Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 17:39:04 -0400
From: Bill Porter <wep363@myexcel.com>
Subject: Tossed Away Kid Chapter 6

Tossed Away Kid - Chapter 6

This is a work of fiction.  Any similarity to anyone in real life is a
coincidence.

A special thanks to Ed for his editorial help.
Please let me know what you think wep363@myexcel.com
My Web Site http://wpstories.tripod.com/

********

This is a story of love, hope, and trust.  It also deals with rejection,
false hope, and mistrust.  It is not a sex story. However, this story deals
with love between two male teenagers. If you are offended by stories
involving love between two teenage boys, please do not read this
story. There may be some sex scenes in this story; however, sex is not the
main theme and will not be graphically described.  If you are under age 18
or 21 or it is illegal to read this story where you live, don't get caught
reading it. Reproducing this story for distribution without the owner's
permission is a violation of that copyright.


"Knock" "Knock" "Knock"

"Yes."  I heard the sweetest voice God ever created.

"Time to get up, guys.  We have a fun day planned," said Mike.

"We're up," Danny responded again.

"We are?" I whispered.

"Well, I am.  Come on, let's take a shower.  I'll help wash you."

Danny got out of bed and took my hand.  Then he pulled me out of bed and
onto my feet.  He pulled me into an embrace and gave me a light kiss.
"That's all you get until you have showered and teeth brushed," Danny said.

Danny led me into the bathroom and we got ready for our day.  We dressed in
shorts and tee shirts.  I've never been to an Amusement Park before.  I
have been to the State Fair but the Ferris wheel and bumper cars are the
most exciting rides I've ever been on.  By the time I was dressed I was
fully awake.  We got in Mark's truck and went to the motel my brother was
in.  Then we went to the Smiths' house to collect Scott.  They had
breakfast prepared for all of us and had packed a picnic lunch for us.  We
thanked them, saying they didn't have to do all that and they said seeing
Danny happy again was well worth it.

Pete asked Danny and me to ride with them.  We sat in the back seat with
Scott in the middle.  We got on I-294 north which I have learned is called
the Tri State Toll-way.  We had to stop about every 10 miles and put change
in a tollbooth.  I learned all about Pete's life in Detroit on the way.  He
worked as a payroll clerk for General Motors and said he makes good money.
Barbara is a schoolteacher and teaches High School History.  History is one
of my favorite subjects and we got into a discussion over what the real
cause of the civil war was.  We agreed that it was a state's right issue
and not a slavery issue.  Scott seemed totally bored with the subject.  I
guess he hears it all the time with his mother being a history teacher and
all.

In what seemed like no time at all we saw a sign that said "Six Flags next
exit" and we followed Mark's truck off the highway.  We pulled into the
biggest parking lot I've ever seen and there were already thousands of cars
parked.  We were directed where to park and parked right next to Mark's
truck.  We took our picnic basket and a cooler with pops in it and put it
in a locker.  The sun was bright and it looked like it was going to be a
beautiful day.  Mark bought tickets for everyone despite Pete's protests.
Scott was too small to go on the big rides so it was decided that he was
going on rides with his mother while Pete joined us on the roller coasters
and other big rides.  We decided where to meet for lunch and off we went.

Mark and Mike told us they were here just one week ago so they already
checked out all the cool rides.  Our first ride was a big steel roller
coaster that loops and curves.  We got in line and waited.  Waiting was not
that bad.  Lots of cute guys with plenty of skin exposed to look at.

"What do you plan on doing this summer, Tommy?" asked Pete.

"I'm going to summer school, getting a head start on High School with Mark
and Mike."

"What classes are you taking?"

Now what am I going to say?  I need to think fast!

"He's going to be taking mainly personal enrichment classes.  Like physical
education, first aid, and classes like that," Mark responded.  "I'm going
to be an instructor teaching self defense and Mike is a physical fitness
instructor.

Thank you, Mark.  He really got me out of that one.

"The reason I'm asking, Tommy, is I'd like to have you come visit
sometime."

"I'd love to visit you, Pete."

"Tommy is not going to be allowed to leave the state until the custody
issue is settled.  That should probably be in September from what I've
heard.  Perhaps he can come visit during Thanksgiving holiday," replied
Mark.

"I can understand that.  It would be great to have you come either
Thanksgiving or sometime over the Christmas holiday, Tommy.  You can bring
Danny and his parents with you too.  It's only a 5-hour car or train ride.
We have plenty of room so you won't have to stay in a motel."

"Thanks for the invitation, Pete.  After I get settled I'll let you know."

We talked some more, just getting to know each other better.  Finally we
got up to the platform of the roller coaster and Mike suggested that Danny
and I get in the last car because it was our first time and the front is
too scary.  Mark looked at him, smiled and raised an eyebrow.  It seemed
like everyone else was trying to get in the last car too but we managed to
get into the last car, last row.  A safety bar was locked over our laps.
The ride started and we started going up this really high hill very slowly.

Maybe this was NOT such a good Idea.  I can see for miles.  What if the
cars don't stay on the track?  We're getting near the top.  No turning
around now - my stomach feels funny.  I think I ate too much breakfast.  I
see the first cars going over the top of the hill.  Oh-My-God.  "Holy #%$@,
son of a $#@&, mother &*%$@$, @&#$ me."  I closed my eyes and hung on to
the safety bar for dear life.  I forgot about everything around me.  For
the next two minutes I swore more than in my entire life put together.  As
soon as we got off the ride I was ready to go again.

"Can we go again?  Can we go again?  Please?"

"Perhaps later, Tommy, but there is an even better roller coaster over
there.  That was just a warmup ride."

We got in line for yet another roller coaster.  It took over an hour to get
on the ride.  Mark was right.  This one was even more fun than the last
one.  I knew what to expect and was not nearly as shocked as I was by the
first one.  I even kept my eyes open this time.  Then we went on this ride
that goes up 150 feet in the air and drops straight down.  It was a rush.
After that it was time for lunch.  We met up with Barbara and Scott.  After
lunch off we went again.

We went on water rides, more roller coasters, and even the bumper cars.  I
really got to know Pete better and found that I liked him.  Overall it was
the kind of day I don't think I'll ever forget.  We kept going on rides
until the park closed at 11:00 PM.  Pete and his family were leaving early
in the morning so we said goodbye.  I was really glad that my brother Pete
came to visit me.  By the time we got out of the parking lot and got back
to our apartment it was 1:00 AM.  It took a while to fall asleep after all
the excitement of the day.

We slept in really late Sunday.  I got up before Danny and found Mike and
Mark drinking coffee in the kitchen.

"Good morning, guys, what's the game plan for today?"

"We're going to go over to Danny's house and have dinner.  Then his parents
are going to take us to the train station.  We'll take the train downtown
and then switch trains to go to Great Lakes.  You won't need to bring
anything with you except a change of clothes.  Everything will be provided
for you.  We'll sleep there tonight because they are going to get us up at
5:30 tomorrow.  Looks like your summer vacation is over, Tommy," said Mark.

"My summer vacation was over as soon as Danny moved away."

"Speaking of which, you better go drag him out of bed."

I walked back into my room and found Danny curled up in a ball.  He looked
so peaceful it seemed like a shame to wake him.  Like in Sleeping Beauty I
leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.  "Good morning, sunshine, time to
get up."  He opened up his eyes and smiled.

"What am I going to do with myself when you're gone all week?"

"How about you think about ways that we can spend our weekends."

"That should keep me busy.  How about a shower?"

"Sure, let's go."

We got in the shower and took entirely too long.  We got dressed and Mark
and Mike were ready to go to Danny's house.  We had an early BBQ dinner out
on the back porch and really enjoyed each other's company.  Mike and Mark
seemed to really get along with Danny's parents.  We took Mark's truck back
to the apartment and the Smiths took us to the train station at Glen Ellyn.
Saying goodbye to Danny was rough.  We both wanted so much to kiss each
other goodbye, however we settled for a hug.

The moment was broken up with Mark's cell phone ringing.  Pete called to
let us know that they were home safely.  He told me how much he enjoyed his
visit and is already looking forward to seeing Danny and me again.  He
wished me luck with summer school and we said goodbye.  The train pulled
into the station and I hugged Danny one final time and hugged his parents
too.  We got on the train and off we went.

The train ride was uneventful.  It took us two hour to get to Recruit
Training Command at Great Lakes.  We got to the front gate and Mark handed
some paperwork to a guard.  We were told that we'd be staying in a
temporary barracks until tomorrow and were told to wait.  After a short
wait we were escorted to the barracks.  It's a large room with 40 bunk beds
(later I learned these are called racks) on either side along with lockers.
Mark, Mike, and I staked out a bed.  All I brought was a change of clothes
and my journal.  There were already about 20 other guys here.  We were told
that the girls were in another barracks.  I sat down and did my journal
entry for the last two days.  Although all the windows were open it was
very hot.  I soon found myself sweating like crazy.

A few more guys showed up and soon it was time to take a shower and get
ready for bed.  I was totally amazed by what I saw.  Some of the black guys
in the shower had to have 8" soft.  I could only dream what they looked
like hard.  I turned the water colder to keep things from getting out of
proportion.  The shower was refreshing and I went back in the main barracks
and lay down in my rack.  The lights were turned out.  I looked at the
clock and saw that it was only 9:30.  I spent the next 4 hours tossing and
turning.  Finally it seemed to cool off some and I drifted off into a
restless sleep.

"DROP YOUR COCKS AND GRAB YOUR SOCKS.  YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES TO PISS, SHIT,
GET DRESSED, AND ASSEMBLE OUT ON THE GRINDER!"

Where am I?  I remember now.  I'm in boot camp, training to be a police
officer.  The lights half blinded me.  I wandered into the bathroom, (I'm
soon to learn it's called "the head", funny name,) and relieved myself.
Then as if in a daze wandered back to my locker and get dressed.  We
learned that the grinder was a courtyard outside the barracks.  We all kind
of wandered down there.  I stuck as close to Mark and Mike as I could.  The
girls were also there but down away from us, with their own instructor.
There were only about 10 of them and 50 guys.

"I'M POLICE SERGEANT BROOKS.  I'M YOUR COMPANY COMMANDER.  IT'S MY JOB TO
TEACH YOU RAGBAG BUNCH TO WORK AS A TEAM AND TAKE YOU FROM ONE PLACE TO
ANOTHER.  I WILL NOT BE EMBARRASSED IN FRONT OF NAVY RECRUIT COMPANIES WE
COME IN CONTACT WITH.  YOU WILL LEARN CLOSE ORDER DRILL AND YOU WILL LOOK
SHARP.  IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?"

"Yes sir," we replied.

"I'M NOT A SIR.  YOU WILL ADDRESS ME AS SERGEANT.  DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?"

"Yes, Sergeant."

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

"YES, SERGEANT!" we all shouted as loud as we could.

"MY 90-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER CAN TALK LOUDER THAN THAT.  DO I MAKE MYSELF
CLEAR?"

"YES, SERGEANT."

"LINE UP BY HEIGHT.  TALLEST TO MY LEFT AND SHORTEST TO MY RIGHT."

We spent the next half-hour learning how to line up, stand at attention,
make turns, and march in place.  Sergeant Brooks got in all our faces at
one time or another.  Finally he put us in ranks of 4 men each and marched
us to the mess hall.  We were all out of step and looked really sloppy.

We got to the mess hall and saw a long line with Navy recruits.

"LINE UP SINGLE FILE.  I WANT THIS LINE TIGHT.  THAT'S IT, LINE UP.  I SAID
I WANT THIS LINE TIGHT.  MAKE THE MAN IN FRONT OF YOU SMILE."

Make the man in front of you smile?  Now that's funny.  We got lots of
looks from the other Navy recruits but they said nothing to us.  We got
breakfast and were given 15 minutes to eat it and reassemble outside the
mess hall.  Then we were marched to get our uniforms and other stuff we
need.  That took several hours.  Our company commander was real
disappointed that we didn't get haircuts too.  Then we marched back to the
barracks and picked up our stuff and marched across a road past the main
gate to another area.  We were told that no Navy recruits were in this
section and we had the run of the place.

We were told that later in the afternoon we would stencil our names on our
uniforms.  Those of us that would be working undercover needed a false name
to identify ourselves.  That's when I decided on Tucker.  I once heard a
joke about a kid named Tommy Tucker.  We put our newly issued stuff away
and changed into navy blue uniforms and boots.  Because of the section that
we have moved to we are almost a mile away from the chow hall.  We lined up
and marched to lunch.  Our marching was getting better.  For breakfast I
just had cereal and juice but at lunch I was hungry and really loaded up.
The food was not too bad.  Kind of like school food.  Nutritious but kind
of bland tasting and plain looking.

After lunch we were marched all the way back to the other side of the
complex and into a drill hall.  We were lined up and told to stand at ease.
I recognized Capt. Wright with another well dressed man step up to the
platform.  Capt. Wright stepped up to the microphone.

"I would like you all to give a warm welcome to the Mayor of Chicago, the
Honorable Richard M. Daley," said Capt. Wright.  We all clapped.

"To tell you the truth," said Mayor Daley, "it's my honor to be here today.
You have shown yourselves to be some of the finest in your schools."

"Last Friday four teenagers were enjoying some time at the beach down on
Lake Michigan.  After a day of fun in the sun they returned to their
vehicle to go home.  Three muggers only saw what they thought was 4 rich
kids getting into a late model vehicle.  They made their move and pulled a
knife on the four young men, demanding their money and vehicle.  What they
didn't realize was that one of the young men is already a student police
officer working in a school in Michigan and two of the others are starting
training here today.  Mark, Mike, and Tommy, would you please step up to
the platform."

Oh my God.  The Mayer of Chicago knows who I am and wants me to go up
there.  I see Mark and Mike step out and I stepped out too.  I walked up to
the platform and stood with Mike and Mark on the Mayor's right.

"Mark identified himself as a City of Chicago police office and told the
muggers that they were under arrest.  Two of the muggers decided to resist
arrest and attacked Mark and Mike.  Those two had to make a stop at the
hospital on their way to Cook County Jail.  The third was taken into
custody without violence.  All three will be off the street for a very long
time."

"Ever since I became Mayor of Chicago I've asked myself some hard questions
concerning our school system.  If we don't allow poor performance in the
workplace, why do we allow it in our schools?  If we don't allow sexual
harassment in the workplace, why do we allow it in our schools?  If we
don't allow extortion in the workplace, why do we allow it in our schools?
If we don't allow drug use and trafficking in the workplace, why do we
allow it in our schools?  If we don't allow gangs in the workplace, why do
we allow it in our schools?  If we don't accept robbery, rape, and murder
in the workplace, why do we allow it to happen at our schools?"

"I've been asking these same question of police and school officials for
years now with no answers - only excuses.  Another problem that was really
bugging me was a gang of muggers in Chinatown that the police weren't able
to apprehend.  It all came together one day last winter when Mark and Mike
made a trip to Chinatown for dinner with Mark's mother.  Mark and Mike
managed to apprehend the leaders of the gang when they tried to mug them."

"Then I found out that Mark was a deputy sheriff in Michigan, working in a
local high school.  His principal is a friend of mine from college.  I
contacted my friend and found out that Mark was policing his school.  The
progress Mark had made in his school opened up a world of possibilities on
how to handle our schools.  This training program is a direct result of the
results obtained in Michigan last year by Mark.  He is here to go through
and evaluate the program along with being a self-defense instructor.  Mike
is also here as a physical fitness instructor.  Tommy here is the youngest
trainee in the program.  He'll be working undercover in a school outside
the City of Chicago.  He's being sponsored by the state."

"Your goal for the next two months is to earn one of these," and the Mayor
held up a City of Chicago Police badge.  "Mark, hold up your badge." Mark
pulled out his wallet and displayed his badge.  "I'm presenting this one to
Mike for twice bringing Chicago criminals into custody.  Both times they
made a stop at the emergency room before going to jail.  You can see that
size really makes no difference.  Mike is one of the smallest guys here.
After reading the police report I must say that Tommy and his friend Danny
were also very brave.  Although they weren't involved in the actual arrest
they remained calm throughout the experience."

"In closing, everyone here has been recruited for specific reasons.
Besides not doing drugs, running with gangs, being troublemakers, you're
responsible, hard workers, good students.  We have done a complete
investigation on each of you.  It's no accident that you are here.  You are
the best of the best just like Mike and Mark.  If this program is as
successful as we hope, it will it will be expanded.  That will make an
opportunity for each and every one of you.  If you are looking for a career
in police work with good pay and benefits, this is your chance.  At this
time I want to congratulate each and every one of you for getting this far
and I hope to hand each and every one of you a City of Chicago police badge
two months from now."

Capt. Wright excused us to rejoin the rest of the recruits.

"Now that you have heard from the Mayor, it's my turn," explained
Capt. Wright.  "There are several reasons why we are training in a military
boot camp training center.  First and most important is security.  Half of
the recruits in your company you don't know from school.  That is because
they are from another school.  We have two groups training here this
summer.  All the undercover recruits from your school are training with the
other group.  Undercover police work is very dangerous.  For that reason
alone we knew we had to train outside your neighborhoods.  If word got
around as to who the undercover officers are, their lives would be in
danger.  For those of you working undercover your training will also be
different on some things."

"I'm sure you have noticed that there are fences all around us.  They are
not to keep you in but to keep others out.  You can leave anytime you want.
If you want to go home for the night that is not a problem as long as
you're back in time for training the next morning.  Also if you want to
stay here over the weekend that's all right too.  However you will be on
your own.  We needed to find a place without distractions.  We have lots of
information to teach you and a very short time in which to do it."

"NO ONE WILL BE DROPPED FROM THIS PROGRAM IF YOU ARE DOING YOUR BEST.  I
don't know how to make it any clearer.  However I expect you to help each
other to achieve training goals.  There are no pass or fail grades going to
be handed out.  But lack of motivation will not be tolerated.  Fighting,
drinking, drug usage, bullying, sexual harassment, and other similar
offenses will result in you imminently being terminated from this program.
If the offense is serious enough you will be prosecuted as well.  As we are
training with girls we will be really watching for sexual harassment.  No
name calling, casual contact, joke telling will be tolerated - that goes
both ways, ladies.  When the guys or gals are in there own group we will
tolerate a certain amount of joking around but no name-calling.  IS THAT
UNDERSTOOD?"

"Yes, Capt. Wright"

"What was that.  I thought I heard something?"

"YES, CAPT. WRIGHT."

"That's better.  Your company commander is your boss.  What they say goes.
If your company commander is not around, Mark is your student commander.
Show him the same respect that you would your company commander.  If he
asks you to jump, you ask how high.  If your company commander can't work
out a problem I'm next in your chain of command."

"The only time you will interface with Navy recruits is at chow time.
Don't talk to them.  They have also been instructed not to talk to you."

"You will be trained on the use of weapons, both lethal and non-lethal.
You will be issued handguns.  The uniformed officers will be issued 9-MM
automatics and the undercover officers .25 caliber automatics.  These are
smart weapons.  You will also be issued a ring or a bracelet that will be
necessary for the weapon to work.  The weapon will not fire unless it's
within 6 inches of the ring or bracelet.  That way if your weapon in taken
away from you it can't be used on you.  Batteries on these devices need to
be changed once a week.  You will be issued these weapons early in your
training so that you can become accustomed to wearing them.  The undercover
officers have a smaller weapon because it will be worn concealed."

"In the next two months you will be receiving some of the best police
training in the world.  Your training will consist of as much as you can
take.  What you get out of it is up to you.  We are estimating that it's
going to cost $50,000 to train each and very one of you.  That's why it's
important for each and very one of you to do your very best.  Along with
the 60 uniformed and undercover officers we are putting in each school we
will also have about 300 other kids wearing wires.  These are kids who have
had problems in the past.  Regular Chicago police will back you up in the
schools and SWAT teams if necessary.  If we need the National Guard to back
you up we'll do that too.  This program has to work.  And it's up to each
and every one of you to make it work.  That's all for now.  Good luck to
each and every one of you."

We got called to attention and were led out of the drill hall.  We went
back to the barracks and spent the rest of the afternoon organizing our new
uniforms.  We marched the mile over to the chow hall for dinner and then
returned to the barracks.  We spent the evening each introducing ourselves
and just getting to know each other.  I had a few minutes to myself before
lights out and reflected on my day and made my journal entry.  It had been
a very long day.  I fell asleep as soon as the lights went out.


To Be Continued...