Tossed Away Kid - Chapter 7

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.

I woke up the next morning, opened my eyes and saw that it was still dark.  I was about to try to go back to sleep when the lights went on.

“HIT THE DECK, LADIES.  YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES TO GET DRESSED AND ASSEMBLE ON THE GRINDER WITH YOUR SHORTS AND TEE SHIRTS.  YOU’RE GOING TO WORK UP A SWEAT BEFORE BREAKFAST THIS MORNING.  NOW MOVE IT!”

I got up and went to the ‘head’ (bathroom).  (I’ll get used to these new words sooner or later.)  Then as I was getting dressed, Mike came up to me.

“Mark is going to be busy.  Stick close to me and if you have any problems let me know.”

“Sure, Mike.”

We went out onto the ‘grinder’ drill area and Mike led us in calisthenics.  Mark was walking around with a clipboard, evaluating each of us.  Mike started out with pushups and we did pushups until we couldn‘t do any more.  Mark made notes on when each of us could do no more.  It was that way for all the exercises.  Then we ran around the grinder and I don’t mean jog.  Mike set the pace and it was fast.  Once again we were to run until we could run no more.  As soon as we dropped out, a doctor listened to our chest and a nurse took our blood pressure.  As we finished that we were told to take a shower and get changed, then reassemble on the grinder.  I wasn’t the first one to quit but I sure wasn’t the last one either.  After we all reassembled I was really feeling hungry.

“AFTER BREAKFAST YOU ARE ALL GOING TO GET A PHYSICAL.  WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED THAT PROCESS.  WE HAVE ANOTHER BUSY DAY AHEAD OF US SO LET’S GET MOVING.”

We marched over to the chow hall for breakfast.  It was the same routine as yesterday except I ate a bigger breakfast.  We then marched over to the medical building.  We were told to strip to our shorts and get in line to get examined.  I was the last one in line.  You see I’m always last because I’m in the last group ‘called Rank’ because I’m one of the shortest.  Mike is the shortest so we are always near each other.  Another company of Navy recruits got in line behind me.

“This is the shot line, kid,” said the guy behind me.

“Shot line?” I asked.

“That’s right.  We’re all going to get a shot in the left nut with a square needle.”

O-my-God, they’re not going to do that me!  They’re not getting near my balls with a needle.  I don’t know how a panic attack works but I think I’m about to have one.  Mike looked at me and had a sly grin on his face.  He just smiled and shook his head side to side.  I’m so glad that Mike heard what the guy said.  I’m glad he’s being my friend and I’m close to him.  He’s right, I need to stick close to him.  I’m the youngest kid in several miles.

However, we were in the shot line.  Well, not really shots.  They had this gun thing instead of a needle.  It really didn’t hurt.  It was more like someone grabbing my arm.  After 4 different shots we were led into an examining room.  There were about twenty different examining rooms altogether and the line was moving fairly quick.  As soon as I got into the room I was told to drop my shorts.  There was a male doctor there and this fat ugly looking female nurse.  I closed my eyes and dropped my shorts.  How embarrassing - I don’t mind the doctor seeing me naked but not in front of a girl!!!

I was told to get up on the table.  He listened to my chest while the nurse took my pulse and blood pressure.  Then she took notes on a clipboard while the doctor looked in my ears, nose, and throat.  That done, he checked my reflexes with a rubber hammer.  Then he told me to lie down and felt around my stomach and neck.

“Almost done, I just need to check a few more things.  Stand up.”  I stood up on the floor and the doctor reached for my nuts.  Oh No, he’s not going to give me no shots there!  He grabbed me just above my sack and told me to turn my head and cough.  I did it and then he did the other side.  “Very good, now just one more thing to check.  Have you ever had a prostate exam?”

“No, doctor, I just learned what a prostate was in health class last year.”

“Ok, get up on the table and lie on your side.”

I did as I was instructed and I saw the doctor put on some latex gloves.  Then he put some K-Y jelly on his finger and got behind me.

“This is going to feel kind of funny.  First you’ll feel some pressure.  Just try to relax.  Then you’ll feel a sensation that’s hard to describe.  Then it will be over.”

All of a sudden I felt his finger finding my hole.  Then some pressure and his finger slowly entered me.  “Just relax, son, it’s almost over.”  I shut my eyes as hard as I could and bit my lip.  Danny and I had never tried anal sex but we had talked about it with his dad.  He explained that if we did that to each other a doctor could tell that something had been up there.  At least I don’t have to go through the embarrassment of this doctor knowing I’m gay.  We hadn’t even put our fingers in each other’s butt holes.

Next thing I knew I felt lightning going up my spine and I felt like I was going to cum.  Then it was over and he pulled his finger out of me.  “That wasn’t so bad, now was it?”  I just glared at him as if I had just been violated.  Danny and I are going to have to give each other prostate exams this weekend.  I really didn’t think his question needed a response.  “You can put your shorts back on.”  I put my shorts back on and then the nurse asked me a whole bunch of questions on my medical history.  I told her what I could.  Then she took a blood sample.  It took her three pokes to find a vein.  I was about ready to hit her.  Finally I was able to get dressed again.  We reassembled our company and went to lunch.

Again I was in the chow line. I had a Navy recruit behind me.  They still had us lined so tight that I was pretty much making body contact front and back. 

“Don’t eat the soup, they put saltpeter in it,” said the guy behind me.

If I was a cartoon character I’d have a question mark over my head.

“Thanks,” I whispered.

I don’t know what saltpeter is but I’m sure not going to eat the soup.  It’s too hot for soup anyway.  I’ll have to ask Mike after we sit down what that is.

I got another big meal and sat down next to Mike.  Mark was sitting with some of the other guys. 

“How did your physical go, Tommy?”

“It was a pain in the ass!  That and there was this ugly fat nurse there.”

“I have to agree with you there.  You didn’t get a square needle in the right nut, did you?”

“No, I didn’t but when the doctor went to grab my nuts I was kind of worried.  Mike, what’s saltpeter?”

“It’s an ingredient used in gunpowder.  Why?”

“The guy behind me in line just now said they put it in the soup.  What’s that all about?”

“It’s probably just more bullshit, Tommy.  I’ll ask Mark and I promise you we’ll get to the bottom of it.”

“I’d say that my doctor already got to the bottom of it.”

Mike laughed and we finished our lunch.  As soon as we got back to the barracks we were given a 10-minute break.  Mike asked Mark about the saltpeter and Mark said he didn’t know but we were about to find out.  He led us into police sergeant Brooks’ office.

“Sergeant Brooks?”

“Yes, Officer Adams?”

“It seems that some of the Navy recruits have been talking to some of our recruits.”

“I assume because recruit Tucker is here that he’s the one they were talking to.  Correct?”

“That’s correct, Sergeant Brooks,” Mark replied.

“So tell me, Tucker, what did they tell you?”

“The guy behind me at lunch told me not to eat the soup because they put saltpeter in it.”

Sergeant Brooks started laughing.  “I suppose they told you that you were going to get a square needle in your right nut too this morning?”

“Actually they told me it was the left nut.”

“And did it happen, recruit Tucker?”

“No, Sergeant.”

“You see, this is one of the reasons we don’t want you talking to the Navy recruits.  Another is because your training is different than theirs.  They are property of the US government and you can leave anytime you want.  Any questions?”

“Just one, Sergeant,” said Mike.  “Why would they say that there is saltpeter in the soup?  I know from chemistry class that it’s used to make gunpowder.”

Sergeant Brooks cracked up again.  “Actually these rumors have been passed down from company to company ever since my granddad went to boot camp here during WWII.  Officer Stevens, saltpeter has another effect if eaten by a man.  It keeps your dick from getting hard.  That way you young men aren’t getting hyper with each other in the shower and jacking off all the time.  Of course it’s total bullshit.  They don’t put saltpeter in any of the food.  Don’t take anything you hear the Navy recruits say seriously.  You did do the right thing by asking me about it instead of telling the rest of the company.  Feel free to ask me questions any time you like.  Here in my office I won’t browbeat you for asking a question.  Now we’re going to learn to get ready for rack and locker inspection so if you don’t have any other questions?”

“No, and thanks, Sergeant Brooks,” replied Mark.

We went back into the main barracks with Sergeant Brooks right behind us.

“OK, YOU QUEER BAIT, IT’S TIME TO TURN YOU INTO MEN.  FIRST OF ALL YOU HAVE ALL PASSED YOUR PHYSICALS.  THAT MEANS THAT I CAN MASH YOU.  WHAT DOES MASH MEAN?  YOU GOT A SMALL TASTE OF IT ON THE GRINDER THIS MORNING.  IF ONE OF YOU MESSES UP YOU WILL ALL PAY.  YOU WILL PAY BY DOING PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES UNTIL YOU DROP.  THE DOCTORS HAVE GIVEN YOU ALL A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH SO NONE OF YOU WILL DIE.  BUT YOU MIGHT WISH YOU WERE DEAD.  DO ANY OF YOU LADIES WANT TO WISH YOU WERE DEAD?”

“NO, SERGEANT.”

“VERY WELL THEN - THIS AFTERNOON WE ARE GOING TO LEARN TO PROPERLY PREPARE OUR RACKS AND LOCKERS FOR INSPECTION.  YOUR RACK MUST BE MADE A CERTAIN WAY.  ALL RACKS WILL BE ALIKE.  YOUR CLOTHES MUST ALL BE FOLDED A CERTAIN WAY AND ORGANIZED IN YOUR LOCKER A CERTAIN WAY.  TODAY YOU WILL LEARN TO DO THAT.  YOUR RACK AND LOCKER MUST BE READY FOR INSPECTION AT ALL TIMES.  IF ONE OF YOU FAILS TO MAKE YOUR RACK PROPERLY OR FOLD AND STORE YOUR CLOTHES PROPERLY EVERYONE WILL SUFFER THE SAME FATE.  YOU HAVE TO HELP EACH OTHER AND WATCH EACH OTHER TO KEEP FROM GETTING THE WHOLE COMPANY IN TROUBLE.  IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WANTS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING THE WHOLE COMPANY IN TROUBLE?”

“NO, SERGEANT.”

Sergeant Brooks had us all gather around one rack and he showed us the way we had to make our racks (beds) after we got up every morning.  Then he had us try.  The ones that were done right he left alone and the ones that weren’t done right he tore apart like a mad man.  Then he had the ones that got it right to help the ones that didn’t.  I was one of the ones that didn’t.  Eventually we all got it right.

“OK, LADIES – NOW WE WILL LEARN TO FOLD AND STORE OUR CLOTHES.  JONES, COME OVER HERE AND SHOW US HOW TO FOLD YOUR SKIVVIES.” (Underwear)

I should explain that Jones is the biggest, most intimidating guy in our company, not counting Mark.  Jones took his shorts and folded them in half and then in half again.

“WHO TAUGHT YOU TO FOLD YOUR SKIVVIES LIKE THAT, JONES – YOUR MOTHER?”  Sergeant Brooks shouted in Jones’ face.

“No, Sir.”

“WHAT WAS THAT – I CAN’T QUITE HEAR YOU?”

“NO, SIR.”

“THAT’S WHAT I THOUGHT YOU SAID.  EVERYBODY IN PRONE POSITION NOW!!! PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER SIDE BY SIDE UNDERNEATH YOUR CHEST WITH YOUR ELBOWS EXTENDED OUT AWAY FROM YOUR CHEST.  NOW PUSH YOURSELF UP AND STOP WHEN YOU’RE HALFWAY UP.”

I pushed myself up and it was the hardest pushup I ever did.  I tried to hold it but I only lasted about 3 seconds before falling back down to the floor.  Everyone else was having the same problem.  Sergeant Brooks was yelling at everyone else to get back up and hold it.  Mark and Mike were the only ones who could hold that position.  Finally Sergeant Brooks told us to get back up and stand at attention.

“RECRUIT JONES, I’M NOT A SIR, I WORK FOR A LIVING – I’M SERGEANT BROOKS.  NOW YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE MASHED.  IF ANY ONE OF YOU MESS UP ALL OF YOU WILL SUFFER.  YOUR MOMMY IS NOT HERE.  I WILL TEACH YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.  I’LL TEACH YOU HOW AND WHEN TO WALK, TALK, STAND, EAT, DRESS, MAKE YOUR RACKS, FOLD YOUR CLOTHES, ACT, SLEEP, AND SHIT.  IT WILL BE DONE MY WAY AND YOU WILL ALL DO IT THE SAME WAY!  IF I TELL YOU TO JUMP YOU WILL ASK HOW HIGH!  IS THE UNDERSTOOD?”

“YES, SERGEANT!”

“WHAT WAS THAT?”

“YES SERGEANT!”

“VERY WELL. GATHER AROUND AND WE WILL LEARN TOGETHER HOW TO FOLD YOUR CLOTHES MY WAY.”

We all learned how to fold and store our clothes without getting mashed again.  We had a little more free time just before dinner and I pulled Mike aside.

“Mike, can I ask you a question?”

“Anytime, Tommy, even if we’re busy.”

“Do you feel offended when Sergeant Brooks call us names like queer bait, ladies, and stuff like that?”

“Do you, Tommy?”

“I’m so intimidated by him I’m not sure what to think.”

“Sergeant Brooks has a very difficult job to do.  His job is just what he said - to make men out of us.  To him we are all ladies, queer bait, pansies, and retards.  Not only does he need to teach us to follow orders but also to teach us to act, work, and think as a team.  He went to boot camp many years ago.  Today he’d get in trouble because of some of the things he says.  However this is not a government program.  It’s a city program.  I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Sergeant Brooks and I know for a fact he’s not serious when he’s calling us names.  To him he’s just doing his job.  Even though he is basically gay bashing I don’t see it that way.  Neither would Capt. Wright.  First he needs to tear us down so he can build us back up.  In his eyes if we complete the 8-week course here we will all be men no matter who we like to sleep with.”

“You need to understand, Tommy, that our training here in not typical police training.  It’s more like the training military police go through.  Sergeant Brooks was an MP before going on to Special Forces training.  Then he joined the Chicago Police Department.  Most of those who have completed a training course similar to this are at least 18 years old.  From what I’ve seen so far, Tommy, you are a tough kid and I don’t mean physically.  Lots of 14 year olds would have been out the door halfway through the first day.”

“I don’t want you to feel that you have to be here.  Or that you have to go back to your father’s High School in Springfield.  We can always talk to Detective Samuels and come up with another plan.  We could probably even arrange for you to stay with Danny’s family this summer.  Every day that we are here it’s going to get harder.  I’m not trying to talk you into leaving, Tommy.  I’m just being honest with you.  On the plus side, when you complete the training, no one will ever be able to abuse you again.  The rest of these recruits will be getting a City of Chicago shield.  You will be getting a State Police shield.  Not only are you going to learn to defend yourself but you’re going to also learn how to help people the same way we are helping you.”

“I’m afraid that I’m going to do something stupid and everyone will suffer because of it.”

“There are three of us that are under a double standard.  If Mark or I mess up we will receive twice the punishment of anyone else.  That is because we are supposed to know better.  The other one is you because of your age.  Sergeant Brooks is going to handle you with kid gloves.  Like I said, Mark is going to be very busy.  Right now he’s trying to get to know the other recruits.  It’s up to him to discern the leaders, followers, and troublemakers.  They have over-recruited.  Capt. Wright figures that after school starts there will be lots of turnover.  Each of the student police officers will be closely monitored.  They don’t know it but everything they say and everywhere they go will be known.  We can’t tolerate police officers that break the law themselves.”

“You have a great opportunity here, Tommy.  You have a chance to do something no one else your age has ever done.  Although Mark has just turned 17 he’s considered by the courts to be an adult.  The court emancipated him a few months ago.  He’s getting quite a bank account and he wanted to be able to invest it himself.  Because he is considered as an adult you can be put under his protective custody.  Mark has his college paid for in several ways but he’ll probably get that paid for with an academic scholarship.  From what I’ve heard, Tommy, you’re also a good student.  You will find that your training is going to be as much academic as it is physical.”

“Another thing you need to know, Tommy, is that this training is all one big mind game.  They dress us all alike.  They make us all march together.  All this and more is to erode your sense of individualism and develop teamwork.  They need to tear us down and build us back up their way.  Teamwork is very important.  The reason that Sergeant Brooks jumped on Jones so hard is to let him know just because he’s big and bad and popular in his school, here he’s just another recruit.  Then we were all punished for his mistake so everyone else will look at him as just a recruit too.”

“Although both Mark and I are already police officers we have had no formal training.  Mark has had informal police training with his uncle and some of the best self-defense training around.  Mark was state heavy weight Golden Gloves boxing champion almost 2 years ago.  Neither one of us plans on making police work our career.  Mark wants to be a doctor and I want to be a business manager.  I’ll probably get a masters degree in business administration.  That is a long way off right now.  I still have one year of high school left.  You have the same opportunity that we have should you want a career in law enforcement, Tommy.  It’s like Capt. Wright said, “You can got out of the training whatever you put into it.”

“Do you now understand why Sergeant Brook says and does some of the things he does and how he meant no offense by his comments?”

“Yes and thanks, Mike.  You have a way of explaining things to me that I can understand.  I guess I can thank my dad for some things.  Even though I’m young I can put up with more than most my age.  It’s too early to tell if I’ll like being a police officer but I’m not a quitter.  I’ll do my best to make it through the training and help to see that no other kids get hurt or killed in my dad’s school.  I’ve never told anyone else this before but I’m interested in a career in law enforcement.  I look at you and Mark and I know I want to be like you.  I think I can do this.”

“That’s good, Tommy, and remember you’re not in this alone.  We’re here for you.”

“TIME TO GO TO CHOW.  EVERYONE FORM UP ON THE GRINDER NOW!!!” shouted Sergeant Brooks.  We went outside and formed up.

“WE JUST GOT OUR COMPANY FLAG.  AS YOU CAN SEE IT’S GOT THE NUMBER P-001 ON IT.  THAT STANDS FOR POLICE COMPANY 1.  WE NEED A FLAG BEARER.  TUCKER, STEP FORWARD.  TUCKER IS GOING TO BE OUR FLAG BEARER.  THE FLAG BEARER WILL SET THE PACE FOR THE ENTIRE COMPANY WHEN WE MARCH.  I’M CHOOSING HIM BECAUSE HE’S A LITTLE GUY AND CAN SET A PACE THAT EVERYONE ELSE CAN KEEP UP WITH.  THIS IS ALSO A SYMBOL OF PRIDE FOR OUR COMPANY AND WILL DISTINGUISH US FROM ALL THE OTHER NAVY COMPANIES.”

Sergeant Brooks placed me in front of the first rank all by myself.  Wow, the whole company is going to follow me.  I hope I don’t mess up.

“COMPANY P 1, FORWARD MARCH.”

I had seen how other flag bearers had held their flags so I did it the same way.  Sergeant Brooks looked at me and smiled, giving me an okay sign with his hand.  At first I was nervous but with the mile we had to walk to chow I got comfortable long before we got there.  My nervousness was replaced with pride.  After dinner we marched to a processing center, we all had our pictures taken, and were given ID’s. 

We got back to the barracks and I had some free time so I worked on my journal.  Mark came walking up with his cell phone in his hand.

“Tommy, Mr. Kelly would like to talk with you.”

“Okay, thanks, Mark.  Hello.”

“Hi, Tommy, how’s it going?”

“Great, I’m very busy.”

“I bet you are.  How are you getting along with Mike and Mark?”

“Great, no problems.”

“How did it go with your brother last weekend?”

“Much better than I expected actually.  He really loves me.”

“That’s good to hear.  How’s your training going?”

“Fine so far.  It’s still a little early to tell but I think I’ll be okay with it.”

“That’s good, Tommy.  Mark says you are adjusting very well.  That’s remarkable, remembering where you were this time a week ago.”

“I think it’s kind of good what I’m doing because it really hasn’t given me much time to think about things.”

“That’s good and bad, Tommy.  You still need to deal with your feelings.  One thing that will help you deal with how you’re feeling is to keep up with your journal.  Have you been keeping up with it?”

“Yes I have, I was working on it when you called.”

“I just called, Tommy, to see how you’re doing.  You sound better than you did last week.  Tommy, you can call me anytime you want if you need someone to talk to.  If you are having problems, whatever it might be, please call me. Okay?”

“Okay, I’ll do that.”

“I’ll be calling you from time to time, Tommy, to check up on you and I expect you to call me just to say hi and let me know everything is okay with you.”

“I’ll do that, Mr. Kelly.”

“Okay, Tommy, I know you’re busy so I’ll let you go.  Have fun this weekend.”

“Thanks for your call, Mr. Kelly.”

“Hang in there, Tommy.  I know you can do this.  I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

“You had better call Danny while you’re at it, Tommy.  Just bring the phone back to me when you’re done.”

“Thanks, Mark, I’ll do that.”

I dialed the number and Danny answered, “Hello.”

“Hi, Danny, how you doing?”

“TOMMY, omygod, I’ve missed you.  I’ve been sitting next to this phone for the last two hours hoping you would call”

“I’ve missed you too, Danny – I really can’t talk here but you know how I feel.”

“I love you too, Tommy.  I can’t wait until Friday and I get to see you again.”

“Me too.  Any ideas for this weekend?”

“I thought you could stay over here with me this weekend.  Just quiet time between you and me.  My parents would also like to spend some time with you.”

“Mark said that we will be leaving around 3:00 PM on Friday so I should be there around 5:00 or so.”

“That’s great.  We can go out to eat or something Friday night.  Also all your stuff showed up here so we can work together getting your stuff put away.  My folks also think the Mike and Mark could also use some time alone this weekend.  Now that I’ve talking to you I can’t wait.  The next two and a half days are going to be hell.  I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve been so busy it’s hard for me to think about much of anything except what I’m doing.  I just talked to Mr. Kelly and he said that’s good and bad.  I can tell you that in my spare time I think of you.  Or when I see some cutie I think just how much cuter you are.”

“That’s sweet, Tommy.  I love you so much.  I wish we could talk all night.”

“Perhaps Friday – I have lots to tell you.  I don’t want to run up Mark’s cell phone bill so I’ll let you go, Danny.  See you Friday.”

“Thanks for the phone call, Tommy.  Call me again when you have a chance.  I love you.”

“Me too, and I’ll call you again before Friday.”

We finished saying good byes for the next 10 minutes.  Neither one of us wanted to be the last one to say goodbye.  I finally signed off and took the phone back to Mark.  Talking to Danny made me horny as hell.  It’s been three days since I’d gotten off.  I saw Mike reading so I decided to ask him how I should deal with it.

“Hi, Mike.”

“Hi, Tommy, how’s it going?”

“Good, I got a phone call from Mr. Kelly and then I was able to talk with Danny.”

“Great, how is he doing?”

“You know - and now I can’t wait to see him and I need some relief.”

“I get you, Tommy.  There are basically two ways to do it.  You can go into a stall in the bathroom or you can do it in your rack after lights out.”

  “If I do it in my rack won’t I make a mess?”

“Use a sock.  You’re in a lower bunk so it will be easy to put it in your dirty laundry bag when you’re finished.  Just don’t get caught.  Everyone does it but if you get caught everyone is going to tease you.  Someone is going to get caught and you’ll see what I mean.  However, you don’t want to be the one to get caught.  So be careful.”

“Okay, thanks, Mike.”

I did manage to take care of my needs without getting caught.  The next two days things got intense.  Starting with Physical training every day.  Then we started all our classes.  It’s a little different than school because there are no books or reading or homework to do.  Just no time for that so everything is done in class.  We have to take notes on everything and review that information to take tests.  We spend at least a half-hour a day on close order drill.  Every minute of every day is filled.  I’d say about a third of the day is spent going some place.

Friday finally arrived and I found out we would indeed leave at 3:00 PM.  We had to muster about 15 minutes before time to leave and Sergeant Brooks handed each of us an envelope and dismissed us.  I grabbed my bag and found Mike and Mark.

“What’s this?”  I asked them.

“Open it, Tommy,” replied Mike.

I opened it and saw a check with my name on it.

“Holy shit, this says net pay $376.59 on it.  What is this for?”

“You don’t think you’re going through all this for free, do you?  That’s your pay for this week, Tommy.  I suggest that you open up a savings account.”

My jaw hit the ground.  It’s more money than I’ve made in my entire life and I made it in one week.  Looks like I have a pocket full of money and two whole days to spend with my boy friend and his family.

To Be Continued…