Chapter 8
2185 Words
~Christa~
Christa “I apologize, Godfrey. Welcome to our humble home.”
I try to use my best British accent, making him smile.
Godfrey “Thank you, miss.”
My not so clever move gets me into trouble with cutting the steak, which makes Miller my helper. First, I try to protest, but then I just give up. I’m hungry, and I need to eat something before my dad is going to let me take any pain medication.
Dammit! Why did I have to have such a short temper! My mom doesn’t have one, and my dad is as steady as can be… But nooo, I had to inherit my grandfather’s wrath of the gods!
The silence around the dining table is unbearable, and since I caused it, I decide I better break it before the entire weekend is a bust.
Christa “Okay, fine! Miller, thank you for everything you did for my parents, but not for the fact that any of you didn’t consult me on my friends moving in!”
My mom opens her mouth to say something, but my dad put his hand on her arm.
Christa “Miller, it’s not that I’m ungrateful or that I don’t want you guys here. I mean, I love you, guys. I … I’m just in a state of shock, I guess. I’m not used to people making such big decisions so fast. Especially not you two!”
I look at my parents pointing my cutlery at them.
Mom “It’s not polite to point, honey.”
My dad rolls his eyes at her, and I have to admit that I almost burst out laughing.
Miller this time opens his mouth wanting to say something when Freddie pumps him in the ribs with his elbow.
Freddie “She’s not finished yet.”
He whispers.
Christa “Thank you, Freddie. I’m used to having to work hard for what we have. Earning it. Not just receiving it. Dad… I was just caught off-guard with everything, and I apologize for my behavior.”
Freddie “Oh, I didn’t see that coming.”
He sits upright.
This time I can’t help but laugh.
Christa “It will be nice to have you guys here. What else was I going to do with my time… Hang around with these two old farts.”
Dad “HEY!”
Christa “Sorry mom, sorry dad.”
I grin at them.
Dad “Well, now that it’s settled. Boys, welcome home.”
He raises his beer and we all toast to the boys that are going to live with us. After dinner, I was getting ready to help mom clean up when Godfrey walked in.
Mom
“Thank you for dinner, Godfrey. It was perfect as usual.”
She pats him on the shoulder and walks off to the living room with dad! In other words, when you have money… Like we seem to have now, thanks to Miller, doing your own dishes isn’t so important anymore!
***
It didn’t take that long to get used to them being around the house. By the third month of basic training, the three of us are moving as one. Inseparable.
***
Cappie “Bradley! Bring those two nitwits that are always hanging around you. I need the three of you to do something for me.”
We have been at the academy for four months, and Cappie always asks us to do something for him. Fetch tables and chairs for a function or take them back after the event. So, when he called me, I didn’t think it strange.
I call the boys and we report to Cappie’s office.
Cappie “At easy.”
He says the moment we walk in before we stand at attention.
Cappie “I will get right to it. Bradley, I noticed your skills in leadership and as a team player, and I’ve recommended you as a leader of the squad when you transfer out after graduation. You two I’ve recommended as her seconds because you always have her back, and I know you will help her to keep the squad in check.”
I’m stunned, and I can almost feel Freddie’s huge grin on his face.
Tank “Cadet! This is not funny!”
Freddie “No, Sir, I mean, yes, Sir… It’s an honor, Sir. I’m just so proud of Bradley, that is why I’m smiling, Sir.”
Cappie “As you should be. It will be the toughest job when you walk into your new station, Bradley. I’ve been notified which station your squad is going to be sent to, which is highly irregular. You lot are going to what is lovingly referred to as the playground.”
Freddie gasps and Miller elbows him.
Christa “The playground, Sir?”
I look confused.
Tank “Well, your boys seem to know where it is. Yes, Cadet, the playground. The most dangerous part of the city where you will find the big kingpins of every possible crime you can think of.”
Cappie “Yes, I still can’t believe that they want to send a bunch of fresh meat out there, Tank.”
Tank “Young bodies, Sir. The older guys can’t keep up with the crime bosses anymore. Or that’s what I heard around the secretaries… Uh-hum offices.”
Cappie “It still doesn’t make any sense to me. A couple of wet behind the ears kids. Anyway, Bradley. Your squad will be reporting there in two months, and we need to get you battle ready before then.”
He doesn’t look happy with the situation.
Cappie “All weekend passes have been revoked until further notice. Training will be longer and harsher, and I am going to expect you and these two to make sure the squad keeps up and stays in line from here on out, or it will be your lives out there.”
Wow… Real action. The kind I didn’t even think existed, never minds that I would be working right in the thick of it.
Christa “Attention!”
The boys follow my lead, and we wait to be dismissed. It’s the only way I can think of to show Cappie that I’m all in and ready for whatever he is going to throw our way.
Dismissed and on our way out of the building, you can swear that the guys have just been given the biggest gift they can possibly think of. My on the other hand? Look, I want to be a cop, but up until now, I didn’t know what kind of cop.
I have just been partying my way through training like the rest of them, except for in my case I was trying to drink and physically kill a broken heart. The boy's house at home was the perfect place to take the odd one-night stand without having to explain anything to my parents. Having Miller and Freddie at the party with me made me feel safe. Life was good… Up to now.
Suddenly, there were going to be no more party weekends to look forward to, and I don’t think mom is going to like me working at “the playground” station. She is probably hoping for something close to home… Oh, brother!
Miller
“We are going to be kicking some serious a*s, girl!”
Freddie “Taking them down!!”
Christa “Boys… What do you think?
I hesitate for a second. Yes, I know I have leadership skills. I was one of the school's leaders last year and sh! t. But leading the entire squad into what basically sounds like a war zone. For pork stakes!!!
Miller comes to a dead standstill in front of me, and I nearly walk right over him. He puts his hands firmly on my shoulders.
Miller “Girl, yes, we think you can do this! We wouldn’t have supported you if we didn’t.”
I smack his chest.
Christa “Liar!”
I’ve grown to know them just as well as they know me.
Miller “Not about this Christa. Time and time again the squad would get into trouble, and you would be the one to get us out of it. Or at least make it slightly easier on us. If there is anybody, I would follow into that place, it’s you.”
***
After spending hours just rolling around, I decided to get up. There is no use in irritating myself any further. Taking a shower, I try to figure out how I’m going to tell my parents. I know Dad will understand and might even be proud, but I don’t think mom will take it very well.
I will just have to give her the area name and not tell her they call it the playground. Come to think of it, I won’t tell her anything else. We will be training full time, so that’s easy to explain, and once we graduate, we will be going home and working shifts, so we will be at home.
Dressed in my tracksuit, I take on the chilly morning air and start with a run around the track. It’s three-thirty, and by the time I reach the finish line, I see Tank walking up to me.
Tank
“Want some company?”
He points in the direction of the hurdles, and I nod. I wonder what he is doing out here so early, but I don’t ask when I see Miller and Freddie also running to the grounds with Cappie not far behind them.
Cappie “You never go out on your own! Always take a backup when you are out there!”
What? A girl can’t even run out her frustrations on the academy grounds in peace! When I look up over his shoulder, the entire squad is on its way… Great, now all of them are going to hate me.
Without a word, they start running on the track.
Cappie “Cadet, beautiful morning for some early exercise.”
Tank
“Just sorry this one jumped the gun.”
They burst out laughing.
Christa “Wait a minute… You two were planning on waking us up early, weren’t you?”
Cappie “Hey! It’s still Sir to you and yes, duh! Now stand here in the front and wait for your squad. I told you, longer hours, harder training.”
I roll my eyes at him, but I know he is letting it slide today. I won’t get away with it tomorrow. Taking up my position in front of them, standing at ease, I wait for the squad to arrive. Okay, fine, so I might still be a cadet, but I’ve watched Tank closely, and I think I know what they are waiting for me to do.
Miller and Freddie are first to arrive.
Christa “LINE UP SQUAD! WHAT ARE YOU? A BUNCH OF SLUGS?”
I shout when they come piling in. They are inline within a minute and ready for inspection, but I heard the murmurs and saw the confusion on some of their faces.
Christa “ATTENTION!”
My voice carries across the training grounds at an alarming volume because of the silence, and they stomp their feet to attention.
I make my hundred and eighty-degree turns and stand at attention in front of Cappie and Tank. Is that the hint of a smile I’m seeing on Cappie’s face?
Tank starts doing his normal inspection between the rows and Cappie starts with roll call. When they are satisfied, Cappie walks up to me whispering.
Cappie “Well done, Bradley. Now keep it up.”
Cappie “At easy squad. I have some news to give you before we start training today. You might all be wondering about the new changes. Usually, you will all receive your orders of which station you will be going to on graduation day. Unfortunately for you a lot, I got the call yesterday. Your entire squad will be going to a place we lovingly refer to as the playground.”
A gasp or two can be heard and the murmurs start up again.
Cappie “Now, I know some of you might think that you are too soft or you might be too scared to go there, but hear me out before you start putting in for transfers. You will have the next two months to request to be transferred. First off, all positions for the other stations have already been filled, so I doubt your requests will be approved.”
He pauses, sounding like it’s really tough for him to inform us of this decision by his superiors.
Cappie “Secondly, I didn’t take this decision lightly, but they agreed to one condition. Bradley will be the squad’s Lieutenant. She will be the first ranked officer graduating from the academy because of the circumstances.”
This time the response is a bit louder.
Christa “Shut up, you lot!”
I shout and Miller and Freddie move into the rows to the sides taking up positions as Tank has at the back.
- Writer
