Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2002 17:14:17 -0400 From: Bill Porter Subject: Tossed Away Kid Chapter 19 Tossed Away Kid - Chapter 19 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@ameritech.net 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. When I got home I found Danny sound asleep. My mind raced with the events of the day. I got out my journal to try to organize my thoughts. 'Today was a day I will not soon forget. First Danny was hit on by Rick. I was proud of the way that he resisted Rick. I've always felt closer to Danny than my brothers. I've heard people talk about soul mates and I believe that perhaps we are soul mates. He's my best friend, my boyfriend and lover, my brother, and my companion. I've always loved Danny. Even before I understood the concept of love. I never want to be separated from him again without the hope of us getting back together. It's been a long time since I thought about my parents. Detective Samuels really took me off guard today by explaining the beatings and death at my dad's high school. I know well my father's temper. I have the scars to prove it. I don't hate my mom or dad but I do hate their actions. Over the years I have done all I can do to show my love for them. There were times I wished I were never born when I was living with them. Then they would have been happy. Now I'm involved in bringing my father to justice. My feelings on this issue are really mixed. First, I'm going to have to leave my bestest friend. Then I'm going to have to be humiliated by everyone at school. Then if all goes as planned a bunch of football players are going to try to half kill me. Then Detective Samuels is going to try to prove that my father is behind all the beatings. After trying my whole life to show my parents that I love them, now I'm going to be involved in putting my dad in jail. I can't find it in my heart to hate my parents. Then there's still the issue of who is going to be my guardian until I'm 18. I want so much to stay here with Danny and his family. I wish I had some answers. I see Danny playing and just having fun while I'm going to work full time. I seem to be handling it pretty well. I haven't been having mood swings and fits of rage. I must have learned to deal with stress from the constant walking on eggshells around my parents. After this experience, I don't think I'll be able to just go back to being a kid. I've grown up this summer. Although I'm not an adult I'm starting to think like one. I find myself thinking about other people's needs before I do my own. I don't listen to the words people tell me but I watch their actions to see if their actions match their words. I consider myself part of a team. My actions affect the whole team. Before I make any decision I consider how it affects others. For example I've decided what I want to get Danny for his 14th birthday present. I want to buy two 125cc dirt bikes. There are same trails just a few blocks away from the house alongside an expressway. I need to talk with Danny's parents first. I already know all the concerns that they will have. Danny's dad has a 250cc dirt bike he's had for years. He's been riding since he was our age. I know he's not going to want me to spend my money that way. And if he does agree he'll want to at least also spend some of his money. He won't let either of us ride alone. He'll insist on helmets and other safety gear. He'll probably help me talk Danny's mom into it. At some point one of us will probably get hurt riding and that will be her main concern. I find myself considering what others will say and think. I know Danny would be beside himself. We've been riding mountain bikes on trails for years, dreaming of the day we could have a mini bike or small dirt bike. I spent most of my time today snooping into other people's criminal records. I found out that some of the people arrested for trying to have sex with me were real weirdoes. It makes me sad that kids have no choice but to have to have sex with people like that just to survive. I really am lucky.' I took my journal and locked it up in a filing cabinet in my room and went to bed with Danny. I still haven't slept a single night in the room that houses most of my stuff. I don't even consider it my bedroom. It's strange having three different beds to sleep in - Danny's bed, my own bed, and the bed at Mike and Mark's apartment. Soon I'm going to be back in Springfield. I was sure not looking forward to that. I guess that writing down the events of my day and my feelings helped to clear my mind because before I knew it I was asleep. I went dirt bike riding with Danny. Danny went around a corner ahead of me and I watched in horror as he wiped out. I stopped my bike and ran up to him. I got close enough to see if he was ok and he looked unconscious. "Danny, are you all right?" No answer. I reached down and put my hand on the side of his face and he reached up and grabbed me and pulled me into a kiss. I pulled back, "Don't scare me like that, Danny!" "I'm sorry, Tommy, do I still get a kiss?" "Sure." We kissed and wrapped our arms around each other. His tongue entered my mouth and our kiss became more intense. He rolled me over on my back. He used his free hand to work my belt and open up my pants. I was as hard as a rock. "Danny, suck me, please!" He managed to get my shorts down to my knees. The next thing I know he was giving me the best blow job of my short life. "Danny, that's great, keep doing that." It's getting really intense, "Danny, I'm about to blow." I drifted into consciousness and realized that I'm dreaming but I can still feel a hot mouth on my dick. I opened up my eyes and saw Danny's head bobbing up and down on my ready to blow dick. I again warned him I'm about to cum - this time for real and not in a dream. It was a wonderful climax and one hell of a way to get up in the morning. "That was great, Danny, I was just dreaming about kissing you and stuff and then I woke up and my dream came true." "Do you know that you talk in your sleep, Tommy? You kicked off your blanket and then pulled down your underwear and told me to suck it. I knew you were dreaming because I could see the rapid eye movement under your eyelids like they showed us in science class. I couldn't resist. I was kind of hoping that you would come off before you woke up and just go back to sleep. It's kind of early. But now that you're awake I was kind of hoping that you could also make my dreams come true." I pulled Danny in a big good morning kiss. I don't know what all the fuss is about morning breath. Every morning when I kiss Danny he tastes just fine to me. Perhaps because I'm also tasting myself this morning he tasted even better. I took my time trying to make it last as long for Danny as he could take it. Finally he begged me to bring him off and, using all my talents and skill, I pushed him over the edge. We cuddled for a while and then we took a shower together. It was early for me as it was not even 10:00am by the time we got dressed. We went downstairs and I ran into Mr. Smith. I realized that I hadn't seen him since Monday. "Hi, Mr. Smith, I'm really glad to see you. I need some fatherly advice." "Sure, Tommy, but first let's get some coffee and go into my study." We got some coffee. (Something I really never started drinking until this week. I found that a couple of cups helped keep me awake until late at night without yawning every 5 minutes.) We went into his study and sat down. "Tell me about your week, Tommy, how has your on the job training been going?" "Very good, I think - I've learned how to sell my body, buy beer, wine, and hard liquor. How to get into bars and get served and buy cigarettes. Next I figure they'll teach me how to buy drugs. I ought to be real popular in high school now," I said with a shit-eating grin. He threw a newspaper sitting on his desk at me. I ducked. "But seriously, I can see how the training we went through at Great Lakes ties into real police work. Yesterday Detective Samuels showed up and went over the plan of operation for when I go back to Springfield." "I talked with Mike's dad earlier this week and he's found a lawyer for me. I need to go there Monday and give him some money so he'll be my lawyer." "That's called a retainer, Tommy. I hope you don't need one but it's good to have that kind of stuff worked out in advance. I've always considered you my son. You're far too young to consider taking care of yourself and you do need a secure, loving family. I talked to Detective Samuels this week also and he's got enough work lined up to keep you busy until you're 40. He says he has schools all over this area that are asking the state for help. He wants to keep you working full time all the way through high school and beyond. Seriously, if you keep going the way that you have been so far you could be retired with a full state retirement at 40. Of course that might seem like a long time from now to you but I can tell you I'd love to be retired in 4 years when I turn 40. You have a great opportunity." "What about child labor laws and working full time?" "That's a good question, Tommy. Technically you're not supposed to be working full time right now - not until you're at least 16. And even when you're 16 you can't work full time during school. However, you'll be working while you're at school. They'll basically be paying you a full time state policeman's salary to go to school. Because they intend to keep you undercover no one will ever know you are actually a police officer until you leave the school and arrests are made based on your work. You have to be sure that is what you want. After all you're still a child." "I've been doing lots of thinking about how much I've changed this summer. In the eyes of the law I might still be a child but I sure don't feel like one. I don't think like I did two months ago at all. I no longer take things at face value. I read in between the lines. I can walk into a convenience store and tell you before I even try whether or not the clerk is going to sell me whatever I want. I consider very carefully how my actions are going to affect other members of the team I'm working for. If I'm going from school to school during high school then HOW am I going to be able to spend time with Danny? How is it going to affect him if I don't go to high school with him like I planned? If I do become a full time policeman how am I going to deal with $35,000 a year income? If I don't become a police officer how is that going to affect my future? You have men 8 years older than me coming out of college who would love to have the same opportunity that I have had the last two months. I have to consider 1000 different things before I can make a decision. Every decision I make affects me and everyone I love for the rest of my life. And you know...I don't have a problem making those kinds of decisions." "I'll tell you the truth, Tommy. I'm totally taken aback by what you just said. I didn't start thinking the same way you are right now until Ann was pregnant with Danny. I sure hope you don't expect Danny to keep up with you, because he's nowhere near as mature as you are right now." "Mr. Smith, I love Danny just the way he is. I thought about it last night. There is no way I can go back to just being a kid again. I've crossed a line. I'm trusted with deadly force. I'm a member of a team. The other members of the team respect me. I hadn't really considered being employed full time. I think I'd like to do it. What do you think is going to happen, Mr. Smith?" "First of all we need to find some more appropriate for you to call me than Mr. Smith." "How about Pops?" "I like that. This is what I think is going to happen. The state has petitioned the court to have you under limited emancipation." "You mean like Abraham Lincoln did for the slaves?" "Something like that. What they want to do is give you the same rights as an adult. That way you'll be independent of your parents. They want you to be able to drive and even live on your own in your own apartment from time to time. The only condition is that you have to be a state police officer. Should you lose your job then you'll also lose your independence. Right now everyone is impressed with your performance. A petition has been filed and there is a court hearing on Monday. From what I was told you will not need to be there. The judgment will be based on the reports of your performance up to this point. You have shown you are responsible and as long as you keep making the same decisions in the future there shouldn't be any problems." "Detective Samuels felt that it would be best for me to tell you this news. This will give you all the rights of an adult. However, you can't let it go to your head. You still need guidance. You'll be able to sign contracts. That means you can buy a house. Get credit cards and get loans in your own name. But be warned - with adult responsibilities come adult headaches. I'm more than willing to help you make decisions. I still think having a lawyer is a good idea but I don't think you'll have to worry about your bank account. You'll probably want to open a checking account. Also it would be a good idea to establish some credit. Do you have any questions, Tommy?" "I'm a bit overwhelmed right now, tell you the truth. Give me some time to think about it all. You said they want me to be able to drive - does that mean that I can buy a car?" "You will be able to if you want, but from what Detective Samuels said you won't need one. First you'll need a driver's license. That will be a number one priority after you get back from Springfield. You'll take a driver training course and then you'll go back to the state police headquarter in Springfield for a week's additional training and then you'll be tested. If you pass you'll be presented with a restricted driver's license. Then you'll be assigned a vehicle that you will use. The license is restricted until you're 16, to be used only when you are on location or duty. That means no joy riding. You'll probably need to keep a log of everyplace you go. Look at it as just another test to make sure that you are responsible." "What I really wanted to talk to you about is Danny's birthday present. Now my mind is swamped. There are some bike trails a few blocks from here. I know about your love for dirt bike riding, Pops, and I wanted to get a couple of 125cc dirt bikes for Danny and me so we can ride together." "That's very generous of you, Tommy, but that's also a lot of money." "I have more than enough saved up and I figure that as hard as I've worked this summer the least I can do is buy something that we like to do together." "I'll tell you what, Tommy. I can't let you spend all your own money on a gift like this. If you put up $1,000 I'll match it and then co sign a loan on the balance. That way you can establish some credit. We'll need to get all the safety gear and there will be rules on their use. I'll help teach you guys how to ride and you can't go on your own until I feel you're ready. And I'll never approve your riding alone. Are you sure you want to get 125cc bikes? They are kind of big. It might be better to start on something smaller." "I figure we'll grow into them. It doesn't make much sense to buy a dirt bike we'll grow out of in a year. I'm also willing to follow any rules you want us to follow." "I'll need to talk Ann into it. I know how she'll respond. She still sees Danny as needing training wheels. Let me work on her and I'll get back with you. You have anything else you need to talk to me about, Tommy?" "That's it for now. I still have to work tonight and tomorrow night and then I'll have a couple of days off." "Okay, think about everything I've said and I'll talk with you later. You better get something to eat." "Thanks, Pops." And I gave him a big hug. That's something I'd never do with my own dad. I could see a few tears forming in Mr. Smith's eyes. "I'm very proud of you, Tommy. I really like being called 'Pops' by you. Work hard and keep your nose clean and good things can happen. You already know that life is not fair. You've had more than your share of hard times. You know you can come to Ann or me anytime you need something. Now off with you before you have me crying." I went into the kitchen and got something to eat. I decided not to think about everything running through my mind, by keeping myself busy. I'll deal with it as it happens. No need in thinking about it now. I played basketball with Danny after a couple of sandwiches. I didn't tell him the news because I was trying not to think about it. After about an hour we were both tired. We went up to Danny's room and played video games for a couple of hours. Danny and I mainly talked about the game we were playing, talking shit mostly. We do a lot of that when we're together playing. Not only were we trying to beat the other in the video game but we were also trying to outdo each other in our conversation too. All too soon Mike and Mark showed up and we left for work. On our way into work on the train some guy near us was drunk. I'd say he was about 35 and not that big - about 5'9 and 160 pounds. He had a brown paper bag with a bottle in it. He was making rude comments and asking every girl near him to go home with him. He almost fell over several times. As we got near to the station that we get off Mark whispered in my ear that he was going to arrest the man and for Mike and me to back him up. Mark walked up to the man and showed him his badge. "Sir, you are under arrest for being drunk and disorderly, and drinking in public." "Fuck you," the drunk said and threw his bottle at Mark - big mistake. Mark dodged the bottle and it shattered on the wall. Before Mark could recover, the guy pulled out a rather impressive looking knife. "I'll cut you good if you come near me, you...you fucking piece of shit," he hissed. Mike and I both pulled out our side arms. Mark calmly said, "Now you're also under arrest for assaulting a police officer with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, destroying evidence, and resisting arrest. Now drop the knife before someone gets hurt and you have to face even more charges." The guy took a wild swing at Mark with the knife and Mark stepped back. I put my finger on the trigger, took aim and squeezed off a round. I shot him in the right shoulder and he dropped the knife. He was so drunk that I don't even think he felt any pain. We jumped on him and cuffed him. Mark took a tee shirt out of his backpack and put it over the wound and instructed me to put pressure on it. There was no exit wound. That's one thing about a small caliber weapon like the 25-caliber Beretta I carry. If you hit your target the bullet only penetrates a few inches. If it hits any bones it can be deflected and cause quite a bit of internal damage but usually stays in the body. By now the transit police were on the scene. We showed them our badges and told them where we worked. By now the train pulled into our station and they told us the guy was our problem. Mike had gotten the names and addresses of the other witnesses in the train car. We had to practically carry the guy into the station. When the desk Sergeant saw us he picked up the phone and called Sergeant O'Brien. When he came walking out he took one look at us and instructed the desk Sergeant to put the guy in a holding cell and call an ambulance. He led us into his office and we explained to him what happened. "It sounds like you acted properly, guys. I've been on the force for 15 years and I've never had to use my gun, Tommy. Tell me your thought process." "Well, it just kind of happened. It was all training kicking in. I really didn't think about anything except what I've been trained to do in this kind of situation. The guy pulled out a deadly weapon. Mike and I responded by drawing our weapons. The guy attacked Mark and he stepped back instead of trying to disarm him. I put my finger on the trigger and aimed at his shoulder. I really couldn't fire a warning shot because it was a crowded train. I squeezed off one round, hoping that would get him to drop the knife. It worked." "I have a ton of paper work you have to fill out. This is your first felony arrest, guys. I want you to escort him to the Cook County Jail. They have a medical facility there that will fix him up. Here is all the paper work you'll need. Go and change into you uniform, Mark and here are some keys to a squad car. Follow the ambulance over to the Jail. I'm going to send Officer Keith with you to show you where to go and help you fill out the paperwork. This should take you most of the rest of the night." "I'm real proud of you, Tommy. You acted responsibly in defense of your partner. You acted cool and calm in a high stress situation. You didn't kill the guy. You can bet that the guy is going to try to sue you. The department will defend you and he won't have any grounds for a settlement. Even if he does win you won't have to pay anything. We have insurance for that kind of thing. When you finish with all the paper work and you get back here, you're done for the week. All you guys have done an outstanding job this week. Call your extra day off battle pay." By the time Mark was changed and we made our way down to the patrol car the ambulance was there. We followed it to the Cook County Jail. Officer (Big Daddy) Keith led us into the building. He kept telling everyone there that we were heroes and he taught us everything we know. I got asked my age several times. Each officer looked shocked when I told them 14. We started filling out the paperwork when Captain Wright and Mayor Daley walked in. "Okay, guys," Capt. Wright said, "we have WGN news here in 15 minutes. Tell us what happened." Mark explained what happened up until the point until I fired my weapon. Then I explained my actions. When I was finished the Mayor came over to me to shake my hand. "Tommy, as Mayor of a City like Chicago I'm always being second guessed. I have many critics of my plan to end crime in our schools. Some of them are on the school board. That is why we are only testing it in a few schools. It's also costing a ton of money. One of the things my critics have said is that a 16 or 17 year-old is not old enough and doesn't have the maturity to act as a police officer. You have just proven my critics wrong. You have also shown that the training you received has been worthwhile." "Tommy, you are a hero. Mike and Mark are also heroes. Captain Wright tells me that I can't release your name because you're a minor and you are working on a murder case undercover but I will see that you receive the recognition that you deserve. Any 14 year-old that handles himself the way you did today deserves a 'Medal of Valor'. It's the highest award we give any police officer. Mike and Mark already have one. This is the third time they have had to face an attack in our city. All three times you have made me proud." "But.... Mayor Daley, I don't feel like a hero." This hero talk was really bugging me. "I was just doing what I was trained to do. Now that I think about it, I'm sure that Mark could have easily disarmed him." "Tommy," replied Capt. Wright. "In your training were you taught to try to disarm someone with a knife or to use your weapon to disarm them?" "We were told to use our weapon. But Mark also taught us how to disarm someone. As drunk as he was I'm sure he could have done it." "We can't afford a police officer getting injured trying to disarm someone, Tommy," replied the Mayor. "The difference between a hero and everyone else is how they react under a life or death situation. The normal average person given a life or death situation REACTS. A hero ACTS. Do you know the difference between acting and reacting, Tommy?" "Sure, when you're on offence playing football you are acting. When you're playing defense you're reacting." "Very good, Tommy. That is a great analogy. Mark reacted by moving back out of the way. He didn't have his weapon out and based on his training, moving back was the thing to do. It was a natural reaction. His next action following his training would have been to draw his weapon. You and Mike already had them out. Mark had warned him to drop the knife. You saw that Mark was in danger and you acted. There are grown men who would have wet their pants if they were in your shoes. I'm very proud of all three of you guys and I'm going out there to tell the world about it." The Mayor and Capt. shook our hands and went outside. We spent several hours filling out paperwork. I had to fill out about 5 forms for firing my weapon and another 6 for hitting someone. Officer Keith made sure that all our i's were dotted and t's crossed. We were informed my bullet was removed from the suspect and that he would be just fine. No serious damage was done. We got back to the station just in time to watch the Mayor talk all about our heroics on the 10 o'clock news. Sergeant O'Brien and Captain Sanders watched along with us. The Mayor went on and on about how a 14 year-old was more responsible and a better police officer than many adult officers. He didn't mention my name but he did mention Mike and Mark. WGN is a local Chicago channel but it is also picked up on cable and satellite across the country. As soon as the Mayor's segment was over they had another segment on the problems in Chicago's schools and another segment on our training and operation. Then the anchorperson commented on the wisdom of the total program and commented on how he wished he had a son like me. My dad never misses the 10 o'clock news. I wondered if he wished he had a son like that too. Now that would be ironic. The phone rang and the Captain answered it. He said that it was Detective Samuels and he wanted to be put on speakerphone. "Guys, I just saw the news and I want you to know I think you're ready. I'm sorry, Sergeant O'Brien and Captain Sanders, but I think the guys are ready and I can't take a chance on them getting hurt." "I figured that out already, Jim (Detective Samuels' first name) and told them they have tomorrow off." "After tomorrow, Tommy, I'm sure you'll be considered in the eyes of the State of Illinois as an adult. I'm going to have Fred Kelly include for the record the Mayor's comments about you from the news report. I'll have Officer Miller contact you this week to have a crash course (no pun intended) in driver's education. Besides that you guys are off for the next three weeks. As far as I'm concerned you have all completed your training. Mike and Mark, pack up your stuff and I'll see you in Springfield three weeks from today." Everyone in the station wanted to shake our hands and wished us well. Captain Sanders and Sergeant O'Brien told us that we better stop in and see them some time. They also told us that if there was anything they could do for us, just ask. We left the station and this time there were no drunks on the train ride home. Mike and Mark were just happier than I've ever seen them. They told me that they would be leaving for home early tomorrow morning. We hugged and I know I'm going to miss them even if it's just for a few weeks. They pulled away and I went in the house. It wasn't midnight yet and everyone was still up. They had seen the news and knew that it was me they were talking about. After all I was the only 14 year-old police officer working with Mike and Mark. That night Danny and I had some really quality time to explore each other. I think it was the best it's ever been. The next day Office Miller (Danny's friend Bill's father who is a state police officer and had been covertly keeping an eye on me) called me up to tell me that every day for the next two weeks for 3 hours I'll be taking driver's ed. He told me that the first hour and a half will be classroom instruction and the second hour and a half he'll be helping me with the driving part in his state police cruiser. Talk about getting excited. Some of you old folks might have forgotten what it feels like to take driver's ed. I can tell you it put me on top of the world. A little later Mr. Kelly, my caseworker, called me. The petition to have me emancipated was approved and effective immediately. He told me that I'm now free to go anywhere I want by myself as long as I let someone know where I'm going. It's good to know I don't need an escort any more. Mrs. Smith took me to see the lawyer that Mike's dad lined up for me. I told him about my conditional emancipation and gave him Mr. Kelly's phone number. He wanted to hear my whole story. He saw the news last night so I didn't have to tell him that part. As a matter of fact he realized that I was the person the Mayor was talking about as soon as I told him I was sent to train to become a police officer. He told me how happy he would be to be my lawyer but also said I'd probably not need him. He settled for a $.50 retainer even after I took over an hour to tell my story. He told me my story was very refreshing and entertaining. The story that aired on WGN TV the night before was picked up on all the national news networks. The next day in the afternoon I started driver's training. Officer Miller took me to class and sat with me. Then we went out driving. He was really patient with me and before our hour and a half was over I was on the freeway. He worked with me all week and was not teaching me just how to drive but also how to drive like a police officer under all conditions. We spent an hour in a parking lot just practicing skids and spins. Another day it was dirt roads. We had to drive for two hours in order to find one. Danny's dad kept his word and convinced Danny's mom that we were old enough for dirt bikes. He took Friday morning off and we went to the bank. Office Miller came along. Earlier in the week he had gotten all the information needed to make me a full time state employee. I even had to take a drug test. He helped arrange for my checks to get deposited directly into my bank account and I even got a raise. He also came to reassure the bank officer that I was a full time police officer. I think that bank officer almost fainted several times. The first time was when we told him the amount of the loan and my age. Then when he found out I was a full time state police officer. Then when we told him how much down payment we wanted to make. Then he asked if I had any collateral and I showed him my bank account. Papa Smith explained that I was just establishing credit and he seamed satisfied with that. We then went to a motorcycle store and paid for two 125cc dirt bikes, helmets, pads, and guards. We had enough protection to play football. We arranged for it to be delivered next Saturday on Danny's 14th birthday. The next week flew buy. By the end of the week Officer Miller felt that I was more than ready to take my written and driving test as soon as I got back from Springfield. So I ended up way ahead of schedule on getting my driver's license. Mike and Mark called and told me that a week from Saturday they are going to pick me up and we'll drive to Springfield together. Saturday is a day I'll never forget. Rick and Bill (Danny's friends) and their parents came over for a mini birthday party for Danny. We were able to keep the big surprise secret all week. The party was in the back yard and Papa Smith had arranged to have both bikes with huge red bows delivered in the garage while we were in the back yard. Everyone gave Danny his gifts and they were all nice but he failed to get anything from me. "Danny, I need to explain about the fact that I have no gift for you." "You don't need to explain, Tommy. Just having you with me part of the summer is enough for me." "But I still need to explain. You see, I didn't get something just for you. I got something for us. It's not much but it's something we can do together and with your dad. It's in the garage. Come on, I'll show you." I could see he looked a little disappointed until we all went into the garage and he saw two state of the art 125cc motorcross trail bikes with the big red ribbon bows. Then he pulled me into a huge hug and kissed me full on the lips. He pulled back and I could see tears in his eyes. "How did you ever talk my parents into getting these bikes? I've dreamed of this day all my life. I can't wait to try them out. Dad, will you teach us right now?" "First of all, Danny, I had one when I was your age so I was able to talk your mom into it. Second, this gift is from all of us but mainly Tommy. There are rules you have to follow. First, you NEVER ride alone. Second, you MUST wear all the safety gear. Third, you will NEVER ride on the street. You must walk the bike over to the trail before you start the bike. Fourth, before you are allowed to ride it without me around you must attend a cycle safety course. I've signed both of you up for a safety course next week. Then I'll work with you on how to keep from killing yourself. If either of you break any of these rules I'll slap a chain and lock them up so fast it will make your head spin." Papa Smith got out his 250cc bike and we walked them over to the trails. He taught us how to start them and how to work the brakes. He pointed out stuff like if you try to stop and only hit the front brake you'll fly over the handlebars. He also showed us how to shift the gears. We spent about 20 minutes just learning to use the clutch and go from 1st to 2nd gears. These bikes are harder to ride than they look on TV flying through the air. We rode some more on Sunday and then on Monday attended a training course. It only lasted 3 hours for 2 days but we learned everything we needed to know about proper use and care of a motor bike. We spent the week learning how to stay upright. There were other guys riding on the trails who were real good but they didn't make fun of us. We managed to get through the week without busting up ourselves or the motor bikes. If you're getting the idea that the last three-weeks went by incredibly fast, you're right. Now it's Saturday and Mike and Mark will be here any minute. Both Danny and I are trying real hard to hold back tears. School starts in a week and Labor Day weekend is not until one week after school starts so I won't see Danny for at least two weeks. Starting school with Bill and Rick should help. Myself, I'm not looking forward to going back to Springfield but it has to be done. I'm not scared. I know I can handle myself. At least not at what I'm going to have to do. What scares me is perhaps my dad is at fault. If he is responsible then I can't think of a better person to stop him than me. I'm the last person he'd ever suspect as police. To him I'm not even his son any more. I'm just some fag. Mark and Mike's truck pulled in the driveway and I hugged Danny. "This is it, bud." To be continued...