TAK Chapter 3

Home Up TAK Chapter 4

 

Tossed Away Kid - Chapter 3

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

A special thanks to the Late Ed Wooten for his editorial help.

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  Mr. Kelly and Detective Samuels escorted me out of the office building.  I’m relieved that my parents don’t want me back.  I feel very nervous about going to Chicago.  I’ve never really been away from home and never on my own.  Now I’m going to stay with total strangers.  What if we don’t get along?  What if they find out I’m gay and hate me?  What will happen if we’re not able to get enough evidence to convict my Dad?  Will they still let me stay with the Smiths?  I hardly noticed Mr. Kelly assisting me into an unmarked police car.

  “Is everything okay, Tommy?” asked Mr. Kelly.

  “I’m just overwhelmed.”

  “The train ride up to Chicago should help.  It will give you time to think.  After we pick up your  stuff we’re going to stop at an office supply store.  I need to get you a few things.  I need to keep a journal, Tommy.  I ask every young person who comes into state custody who can write to keep a journal.  The most important reason is so you can learn from your past.  Looking at your past helps you deal with the present and future.  Also if you encounter any abuse in the system, your journal will help protect you.  Do you think that you’ll be able to keep a daily journal for me, Tommy?”

  “That sounds like a good idea to me.  I’ll work on it during the train ride.  It will give me something to do.”

  We arrived at my old house and I felt fearful.  There was a police car there along with a van from a shipping company.  Mr. Kelly explained that all my big stuff was going to be shipped to the Smith house and I should pack a bag of the stuff I really needed to take along with me on the train ride.  I entered my room and nothing was changed.  The first thing I did was change into some clean clothes.  Mr. Kelly along with Detective Samuels and a uniformed officer helped pack and move my stuff.  The shipping company guy had lots of boxes.  I was surprised at just how much stuff I had.

  I packed clothes, a portable CD player, and some CDs in a large canvas bag.  I also packed a picture of Danny and me in the bag.  I double-checked to make sure that I had Danny’s address and phone number with me.  It took about two hours to pack and move everything.  Then we left again.  We stopped at an office supply store and Mr. Kelly bought me a very nice leather-bound journal and other stuff he felt I needed.

  We arrived at the train station.  I still had an hour to kill before my train was to leave so we got some lunch.  Mr. Kelly explained that the train ride would take about 3 hours.  He said that there would be few stops until we got close to Chicago.  He gave me Mark’s cell phone number and explained that Mark and Mike would meet me when I got off the train.  He said that if something went wrong that I shouldn’t wander around the train station looking for them but should call him on the cell phone and let him come to me.  He told me to talk to no one on the train or at the train station, no matter how friendly they seemed.  Just politely explain to them that I don’t talk to strangers.  After all that was said he gave me $20.00 in emergency money.  I asked him how I would find Mark and Mike and he said that they will have a sign with my name on it.

  The train that was to take me to Chicago pulled into the station.  Mr. Kelly gave me final instructions.  He told me not to let anyone from Springfield know where I am.  He also gave me several phone numbers to get ahold of him or Detective Samuels.  He asked me if I had any final questions and I told him no.  He gave me a big hug and told me to behave myself.  Detective Samuels also shook my hand and wished me luck.  I boarded the train and found it very empty.  No wonder trains are losing money, I thought to myself.  I had no problem finding a seat to myself.  I got out my CD player and put on the headphones. 

  The train pulled out of the train station at 1:00 PM and was supposed to arrive in Chicago at 4:00 PM.  The conductor came by and punched my ticket.  I tried to write in my journal but with the train rocking it just didn’t work.  There is really nothing to look at except farmland.  The rocking of the train did do something else though.  I soon fell fast asleep.

  I woke up just before I got into Chicago.  I’d never been to Chicago before and was amazed by what I saw.  My impression of the city was old and dirty.  As the skyline of downtown Chicago became visible I was quite impressed.  As the train pulled into the station we went through a tunnel.  I packed up my CD player and readied myself to get off the train.  The train came to a stop and I disembarked.  I stood on the platform in what looked like a huge garage.  Soon two guys approached me.  One of the guys was huge, he made at least two of me.  He was like 6’8” and 265 pounds.  The guy next to him was smaller than me.  He was about 5’3 and perhaps 120 pounds.  They both appeared to be several years older than me.  The big guy was carrying a piece of cardboard with my name on it.  When I looked in his eyes he smiled.

  “You must be Tommy,” Mark said.  “You’re the only teenager on this train.”

  “Yes, I’m Tommy, good to meet you,” I said, extending my hand. 

  Mark shook my hand.  “I’m Mark and this is Mike.”

  “Hi, Mike.”  And I shook his hand too.

  “Let’s get you out of here and get you settled.  Have you ever been to Chicago before, Tommy?” asked Mark.

  “Nope, this is my first time.”

  “We have only been here a few times ourselves and the first time my mother came along.  We do have a nice place to stay.  It’s a good neighborhood.  I think you’ll like it.”

  We made our way through the train station.  I must say I was really impressed.  This place is huge.  I started struggling with my bag and Mark noticed.

  “Let me take that for you - not that you can’t handle it.  It’s just I know you have been through a lot and carrying that big bag is keeping you from taking in the beauty and architecture of this grand train station.  Mike and I checked it out on our way in.”

  With that, Mark reached over and relieved me of my bag.  I was in no mood to argue with him anyway.  He was just trying to be nice.  We walked out of the train station and into a big underground garage.  The heat eventually hit me.  It was a hot June day in Chicago.  We walked for like 10 minutes up ramps and down stairs.  Finally we got to Mark’s truck.  It looked almost brand new.

  “I get to sit next to Mark,” Mike said, jumping up and down.  “Because I have the shortest legs,” he added, winking at me. 

  Is it my imagination or are, perhaps, Mark and Mike a couple?  Nah, couldn’t be.  We all jumped into Mark’s truck with Mike in the middle.

  “You hungry, Tommy?”  Mark asked and he started the truck.

  “Very.”

  “Well, it’s like this.  Rush hour has just started.  If we leave right now we will not get home for about an hour and a half.  If we spend the next hour and a half eating and then leave for home it will only take us 30 minutes to get home.  You like pizza, Tommy?”

  “My favorite!”

  “We’re going to get along just fine.  You ever have Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, Tommy?”

  “Nope.”

  “There is a place just a few miles from here that is said to have the best in the city.  Some say that it’s the best in the world.  You want to try it, Tommy?”

  “Sure do – let’s go.”

Mark had his windows rolled up and his A/C up full blast.  It was just starting to feel good when we pulled up to pay for the parking.  As soon as Mark rolled down his window the heat hit me again.  Mark handed the attendant his parking ticket.

  “Here, Mark, let me pay for the parking.”  And I handed him a dollar bill.  Mark just laughed and stuck the bill in his pocket and pulled out a twenty.

  “Short term parking for one hour is $12.00, sir.”

  My jaw hit the floorboard of the truck.

  “Could I have a receipt, please?”

  Mark collected his receipt and change and rolled his window back up.  We no more than pulled out of the parking garage and were stuck in traffic.  Springfield is no small city but I’ve never seen anything like this.

  “It’s like this,” said Mark.  “The City of Chicago is paying me $600.00 a week to work with the police recruits this summer.  They are also paying all of our expenses.  I have to tell you $600.00 a month is a great deal of money to me.  I’m going to give you $100.00 in pocket money, Tommy.  You just need to give me the receipts.  If you need more money just let me know.  However, the money is for things you need and not things you want.  Don’t expect the City to pay for you to get some new CD’s.”

  After about 10 minutes we pulled in front of a restaurant.  It’s in the middle of the block with buildings surrounding it on either side.  Mike motioned me to open the door.  I opened it and got out and Mike followed me.  Mark also got out of the truck with it still running.  Another teenager nicely dressed handed Mark a ticket and drove off with his truck.  I got this strange look on my face.

  “It’s called valet parking, Tommy.  As you saw earlier, parking is at a premium here in Downtown Chicago.  The nearest parking ramp is two blocks away and probably full and expensive.  It costs about the same to valet park and it’s much quicker to retrieve your car when you’re finished.

  Mark sure is a great guy.  He’s like a gentle giant.  He’s being so nice to me.  Carrying my bag for me without making me feel small.  He keeps explaining things to me without my asking like he can read my mind.  Offering me pocket money instead of just buying me what I need.  Mike has not said much so far.  But he’s had a smile pasted on his face ever since I met him.  I think I like him too.

  We went inside the Italian restaurant and got a seat right away.  I guess we were here kind of early because there were plenty of open tables.  The waiter came to the table.

  “May I get you gentlemen something to drink?”

  Mark and Mike both looked at me.

  “I’ll take an iced tea,” I reply.

  “Great,” says Mike.  “Why don’t you bring us a pitcher of iced tea please and three glasses with ice.”

  “Very well, sir.  I’ll bring you the menus when I return with your iced teas.”

  “That won’t be necessary, we know what we want.”

  “What kind of pizza do you like, Tommy?” asked Mike.

  “I like lots of meats, sausage, pepperoni, and extra cheese.”

  “You won’t have to worry about ordering extra cheese.  A regular deep dish pizza has about a pound of cheese on it."

  Just then the waiter returned.  “Here is your iced tea, gentlemen.”

  “Thank you very much,” said Mike.  “We will take three house salads, one veggie, and one meat deep dish pizza with the works.”

  “Very good choice, sir.  Your salads will be out in a few minutes.”

  The waiter returned with a big bowl with lettuce, sliced radishes, red onions, cherry tomatoes, and pickled peppers.  He picked up two bottles and poured what looked like olive oil and red vinegar into the mix.  Then he ground up a large amount what I assume is parmesan cheese into the mix.  I don’t know for sure because I’ve only seen parmesan cheese in a can before.  He stirred it all up and then dished up three plates.  He left the salad bowl with us, and then returned with some hot bread sticks fresh out of the oven.  I didn’t realize just how hungry I was.  I started eating like as fast as I could.

  “Slow down, Tommy,” said Mike.  “We’re going to get at least twice as much food as we can possibly eat.  This is a really laid back place.  Our pizza won’t be ready for at least 30 minutes.  Also we can hang out for as long as we want.  In a place like this they are in no hurry to get us out the door.  Also don’t get all full on bread and salad.  Leave some room for the pizza.”

  I did slow down after my second plate of salad and 5th bread stick.

  “We need to talk about some things, Tommy,” said Mike.  “We’ll talk about me and Mark later but right now we need to talk about you.  I’m sure that your head is spinning right now, wondering who are these guys and what am I doing here.  In a few days we are going to be starting a very intense training course.  Last night we were talking strategy with Capt. Wright when Detective Samuels called.  Capt. Wright and Detective Samuels are good friends and work closely together.  Capt. Wright after talking with Detective Samuels for a few minutes put the call on speakerphone.  Detective Samuels knows our story.  He went on to explain the case he’s been working on for some time and then later developments involving you.”

  “Lots of people have been treating us like heroes lately and it makes us both feel very uncomfortable.  Especially Mark.  We’re just a couple of regular guys that found ourselves in extraordinary circumstances.  We both came up with the same idea of helping you out at the same time.  You see, I have about the greatest parents in the world.  I’ll tell you more about them later.  Because of that I like to share with others what I have learned from my parents.  One of those things I have learned is helping those who can’t help themselves.  We told Detective Samuels our plan and told him we would get back with him in a few minutes.  Then we called our parents to tell them what our plan was.  They thought it was a great idea and agreed with our plan.  They’re going to talk to the school back home and arrange for us to start school a few weeks late.”

  “Then we called Detective Samuels to tell him that everything was all set.  Capt. Wright gave us some further instructions and here we are.  Now, you have lots to learn in the next two months.  Undercover police work is very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.  You will be the youngest person to be going through the training.  Also, you are under Mark’s protective custody.  He’s going to have some rules you must follow while you are here.  Like you don’t go anywhere without his knowledge and someone with you.  Chicago can be a very dangerous city.  Also no one in your hometown can know that you’re here.  If things don’t work out you can contact either Detective Samuels or Mr. Kelly to make other arrangements.  We don’t want you doing anything that you don’t feel comfortable with.  Any question?”

  “Not right now.  Like you said, my head is spinning right now.  Perhaps later I’ll have some questions.  Thanks, Mike and Mark, for caring.”

  “No problem.”

  “We also understand that you have a friend that just moved up here.  He doesn’t know you are here yet.  We talked to his parents last night.  We’re going to take you over there tomorrow and let you surprise him.  His parents said that he can come visit you at our place and stay overnight or you can go there.  As long as it doesn’t interfere with your training, and you follow the rules, you can spend as much free time with your friend as you want.”

  “That’s great, thanks, guys.”

  “No problem.  If we can do anything to help you just let us know.”

  “It might take me some time to adjust.  I’ve been through way too much the last few days and before that I was very depressed.  It seemed like no one cared about me and now everyone seems to care.  It’s all a bit overwhelming.”

  “Just hang in there,” said Mark.  “Go with the flow.  In the end everything is going to work out.”

  The waiter brought our pizza and we started pigging out.  It’s the best pizza I ever ate.  I tried some of the veggie pizza too and really liked that too.  We made small talk while we ate.  Movies we liked.  Music we liked.  Stuff like that.  We had lots left over and Mark got a take-out box for it.  Mark paid the bill and we went outside.  In two minutes Mark’s truck was brought around and he tipped the guy who got it for us.  We got on a freeway and Mark said that we would be staying in a suburb called Glen Oak and would be riding the train into Chicago most of the time.  There were a few slowdowns along the way but we made good time.  We got off the freeway and drove a little ways more and turned into an apartment complex.  It had a closed gate.  Mark rolled down his window and inserted a card into a box and the gate opened.  We parked and, after getting out and locking Mark’s truck, walked up some stairs.  Mark unlocked the door and we went inside.  They must have had the A/C running because the apartment was very cool.  I was totally impressed with what I saw.  The living room was huge with a big screen TV, stereo, VCR, DVD player, and all new furniture.  What really impressed me was how clean it was for two teenage boys.  I know I always kept my room clean but I know that’s not the rule.  Mark took the leftover pizza into the kitchen and that was spotless too.  As if to read my mind Mark said that a daily cleaning service kept the place looking good.  He also said that if I have dirty clothes they are picked up daily to be cleaned too.

  “There is only one problem with this apartment, Tommy,” said Mark.  “We only have two bedrooms.”

  “I can sleep on the couch.  It don’t bother me any.”

  “You don’t get it,” said Mike with a grin on his face.  “You get your own bedroom.  Come on, let me show you.”

  Mike and Mark led me into a bedroom and the first thing I noticed is a king-size bed.  Danny and I can sure have fun sleeping together on that bed.

  “You see, Tommy, it’s like this, Mike and I sleep together.  We hope that’s not a problem for you.  You see, we’re gay and in love with each other.”

  It took a few seconds for what Mark said to sink in.  I just didn’t know what to say.  I have never met any other gay guys before.  I stood there with my mouth open, trying to form some words but nothing came out.

  “You don’t have to say anything, Tommy.  We know that Capt. Wright and Detective Samuels both know we’re a couple and there is no way in hell they would have put you together with a gay couple unless, you’re, well, understanding.  There is strength in numbers.”

  My mouth finally decided to work.  “Danny is my boyfriend,” I said with my head staring at my feet.

  “There is nothing to be ashamed of, Tommy.  You were born that way.  You’re lucky to have someone who loves you.  Love is nothing to be ashamed of,” said Mike.  “We kind of figured out that you are gay.  And after talking to Danny’s parents last night we were sure.”

  Just like that I lost all control.  I spilled my guts and told Mike and Mark my life story.  Then they told me their story.  Their story totally blew me away.  I could hardly believe everything they had been through.  My dad finds out I’m gay and beats me up and kicks me out of the house.  Mike’s dad finds out he’s gay and drinks beer with him.  After the story telling, Mark and Mike helped me put away my stuff and said they were going to bed.

  I tried to sleep but I was far too hyped up.  I pulled out my journal and started writing.  It took me two hours to get it up to date. I decided to make an entry every day.  I turned off the light and wondered what’s going to happen next.  Three days ago I was sitting in my room feeling depressed and now that life is gone forever.

 

 

To Be Continued…