My Bodyguard Chapter 22
A very special thanks to Ed for editing this chapter.
This story is not true.
This is a story of love, trust, hope, and commitment. It is not a sex story. However, this story deals with love between two teenagers. If you are offended by stories involving love between two teenage boys, please do not read this story. There will be some sex scenes in this story; however, sex is not the main theme. If you are under age 18 or 21 or it is illegal to read this story where you live, don't read it.
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I felt like I was at the start of a great adventure. This is the first time I ever went on a trip without supervision. It's also my first ride in an airplane. Mark was really quiet. He is quiet anyway but today he is being extra quiet. I could tell he had a lot on his mind.
Our plane is flying out of M.B.S. International Airport at 5:00 PM and arriving at O'Hare International at 5:00 PM. We will make up for the hour we gain when we fly back. Dad told us to take only carry-on luggage so we don't have to waste time picking up luggage.
We left after school. It's only an hour's drive away. We took Mark's truck and parked it in the long-term parking. Mark wore his deputy uniform so that the airport security would not give him any problems with his gun and stuff. We were still an hour early and we went to check in. We got our seat assignments and boarding passes. There are only 4 gates at the airport so it was not hard to find our gate. When we went through the security checkpoint they said that Mark having a gun at Chicago O'Hare might be a problem. Mark produced his City of Chicago badge and they quickly changed their attitude.
All I knew about air travel was what I had seen on TV. We had first class seats and I was not sure what that meant. We each had an overnight bag and a garment bag for our suits. We still had some time so we stopped in the lounge for some pop.
"Mark, you're really being quiet. Are you nervous about the plane flight?"
"No, not really. I guess I am anxious about talking to my dad. I mean, I hope I can get the truth out of him. I have a brother and sister I have never met. I want to be able to trust him. I'm afraid that we are going to get in a fight."
"How do you plan on handling him?"
"I'm going to drop some hints and see if he bites. I don't want to chase him away but I was honest with him about my relationships. I'm afraid that if he lies to me again I might say something that I will regret later. I have written him a letter that tells him what I know and how I feel about it. If he doesn't come clean I thought that I would give it to him. Some things are easier said in a letter than face to face. I don't want to lose him, Mike."
I could see tears forming in Mark's eyes so I let the subject drop.
"I think that we need to be heading for the gate. They should be boarding soon. It is quarter to."
"OK."
We got to the gate and they announced they were boarding first class passengers. Mark and I made our way to the gate and after handing our boarding passes to this lady we walked down this tunnel to the plane. Once we were inside the plane, this nice lady who introduced herself as Sue took our bags and put them away. The seats were big and it is a good thing because Mark is not a small guy like me. I looked back and saw that the seats behind ours were small and crowded.
After we were seated Sue offered us drinks and blankets and pillows. Geez, it's only going to be a 45-minute flight. We found out that the plane was a 737. Mark said the plane was like 30 years old and had been refurbished several times. Now I was nervous. Our airplane was almost twice as old as me!
After everyone was loaded they closed the door. The plane was about half full. Sue demonstrated how to use the seat belts and talked about emergency exits. We were told that our seat cushions could be used as life preservers in case we crashed in water. That was really reassuring. The engines fired up and the plane started backing up. I adjusted this air blower thing. (I really needed some air.) I had the window seat and I looked out the window as we proceeded to the runway. Once we were at the runway the engines got really loud and the captain released the brakes. The plane started moving slowly and then the engines really kicked in. I was pushed back in my seat. I looked out the window and the ground was moving really fast. In no time we were in the air. I was no longer nervous, I was excited. Mark just smiled at me. He had held my hand the whole time. I guess I squeezed his hand pretty hard because my knuckles were white.
The Captain came on the speaker and told us about our flight time and altitude, and weather in Chicago. My ears started popping. Sue came by and gave us some pops and peanuts. I think that chewing the peanuts helped my ears.
It was a clear night and I could see many ground lights out my window. We no more than got to altitude and we started to descend into O'Hare. Chicago was really something to see from the air. It seemed like the city went on forever.
I started to get nervous again. We were told to fasten seat belts and put our seats forward. I hadn't undone my seat belt or reclined my seat so I was all set. I looked outside and we were getting lower and lower. My ears were hurting. I asked Mark about it and he said to hold my nose and blow. I tried it and he laughed. He told me I had to close my mouth too. I did it and my ears popped and I felt much better. The plane leveled off and the wheels touched the ground. The engines reversed and the plane slowed down. It felt good to be safe on the ground again. I keep thinking that when we were flying that one of our 30-year-old wings was going to fall off and we would tumble to our death.
It took us about 10 minutes to get to the terminal. Sue gave our carry- on bags to us, and the door opened. We said good-bye to her and walked through the tunnel into the terminal. We were meet by an older man in a policeman's uniform that looked really smart. He looked like a general or something.
"You must be Mike and Mark. I'm the Chicago Police Chief. You can call me Chief."
"It was nice of you to personally meet us here. It is a pleasure to meet you," Mark said.
"I have some things that I need to discuss with you two but first let's get out of this airport. Do you have luggage you need to pick up?"
"No, we just have carry-on but I need to call my folks and let them know that I have arrived all right and we have found our ride." I said.
He pulled out his cell phone and handed it to me. I talked to my mom and let her know we were fine. We walked over to this escalator and went down about 3 stories. Then we went through this tunnel on a moving sidewalk with lights flashing and stuff. It was cool. The tunnel went on for about a quarter of a mile and then we went back up. About another 3 hundred yards and we were outside. They had a limo waiting for us. We got in and it was really cool. I had never been in a limo before.
"The reason that I am here personally is because the Mayor wants me to look into this student police thing. We have about an hour to an hour and a half before we get downtown, with rush hour traffic. I am from the old school. I started as a police officer walking the beat over 40 years ago. Chicago has always been a rough place. Violence and gangs in our schools have always been a problem. In recent years it has escalated. I'm not the least bit convinced that having young inexperienced officers will help the problem. As a matter of fact I believe that it could make matters worse. Convince me."
"You could be right. But consider this. Think about the time you started as a police officer walking the beat. You were inexperienced too. I bet you can still remember the troublemakers on your beat. And the names of some of the people you came in contact with every day. You had control of your territory. I'm sure that you were trusted. Is that all true?" Mark asked.
"Very much so and in some districts they are going back to foot and bike patrols. But how is your situation any different than the police patrols we currently have in schools here?"
"I am a peer. Kids today don't trust adults. I have been in Mike's school two months and I am just starting to gain some trust. If I was an adult I never would. I also have several other things going for me. I have a partner. Mike has told me about most of the students at school and I know who to watch out for. I watch his back and he watches mine. I worked with my uncle last summer as a deputy sheriff. I am the biggest kid at the school and I have trained half my life at self-defense. I wear a wire at school and if I get into something over my head I can have help there quickly. To me, walking down the halls is just like walking a beat. I did that last summer at parks and checking for parking violations."
"I agree with what you are saying, Mark, for your school. But, in Chicago things move much faster. Our schools are far larger. We have high schools with 2000 students and we have killings in junior high schools and kids getting beat up every day in elementary schools. You're right, kids don't trust us. But I don't understand these kids either. If you were me and had a Mayor on your ass, what would you do to solve these problems?"
"But I'm not you. I am a rookie deputy with no interest in police work as a career. I am not a school or police administrator. I am sure I couldn't come up with anything that you haven't already tried. For example, you could put all the problem students in one school."
"Been there, seen it, did that. It didn't work. It made things worse!"
"That's my point. I am just a sixteen-year-old. I don't have any answers for you except to tell you that having me in Mike's school is keeping one kid in school who wants to learn."
"I like your attitude, Mark, and you're right. You're not a school or police administrator. It really doesn't matter what either one of us thinks. The Mayor has decided to try a student patrol test next year in a selected high school. Let me ask you this, Mark. How would you go about putting this program in place?"
"I would recruit from the high school in question. I would over-recruit and only keep the best. I would spend three months next summer putting them through intensive training along with the normal patrols from that school."
"So, Mark, what are you doing next summer?"
"What do you have in mind?"
"I was thinking about you and Mike helping out our project manager, Captain Wright. After all, you are the Mayor's model. He thinks that we should do all the training on location. You could help train in self-defense and let Captain Wright know who you think might work out. Captain Wright is a great guy and with your attitude you should get along with him just fine. We only need you for a month or so to help get the project off the ground. You have a dad who lives near the school we chose. We will give you the same pay you are receiving now plus a food allowance. You don't need to live with your father. You will be 17 next summer, Mark. We will put you up in a motel while you are here, near your father's place. What do you think?"
"I will have to think about it. And of course talk to Mike and my parent. It is still six months away so I will let you know."
"That's fine. I will arrange for Captain Wright to meet you while you are in town. He's probably going to want to visit you in your school before the end of the year."
The Chief went on to tell us what we need to do tomorrow. Our presentation is in the morning and we will need to take a cab to City Hall. He explained that any place we wanted to go this weekend to take a cab and get a receipt, the same thing with food. He also gave us some suggestions for places to go and things to do. I thought that the Chief was a great guy. I could tell he knew that we were a couple but he didn't treat us any differently.
It took us longer to get downtown than it did to fly from Michigan. We got checked into the hotel. Our room was really nice. It was a better room than we had before. I was surprised that there was only one king size bed. We were kind of tired so we ordered room service and ate in our room. Mark called the front desk for a wake up call and also set the clock radio. We watched some TV and went to sleep in each other's arms.
Friday we got up early, showered, and got dressed up. We went downstairs and had breakfast. We went outside and got a cab. It was a short ride to City Hall. It was a big place. We had to go through security to get in. We went to the information desk to find out where to go. We made it to the city hall chambers and saw Mark's dad. He was dressed fairly well. We said hi and sat down with him.
This was a regular city council meeting and our award was at the end. It was quite boring. At the end we were presented with our awards. Mayor Daley made a short speech like he did at school. The press was there and they took a bunch of pictures. Then we left with Mark's dad and went to lunch.
We went to a hot dog joint that Mark's dad liked. The food was good. Mark's dad said the hot dogs are one of Chicago's specialties. At lunch Mark started the questions.
"Dad, I wonder if we could see where you live this afternoon?"
"I don't think that is a good idea. It's in a bad neighborhood and it's messy."
"We don't mind. I would like to see it."
"Why?"
"Mike and I have been offered a job here in Chicago next summer. I have not decided whether or not I am going to take it. If I take the job I will be working at a school not far from your home. I would like to check out the neighborhood and stuff before we make a decision."
"I'll take you guys around and look at the neighborhood and stuff but I don't want to stop at my home."
"Dad, I am surprised that you haven't ever gotten remarried. Have you ever thought about it?"
"Nope. I learned my lesson the first time."
"So, do you have a girlfriend or something?"
"What's with all the questions, Mark?"
"I'm just trying to get to know you better, Dad."
"There's not that much to know, Mark. I work 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. Anything beyond that is my own personal business. Is that understood?"
"I understand. I just don't want to lose you again because of your personal business."
"Look, Mark, I have built a life for myself here in Chicago which doesn't include you. If we are going to be in contact with each other, it needs to be on my terms. That was your mother's problem, she was always sticking her nose in my business. The last time I saw her, she was at it again. She has not been telling you things about me, has she?"
"No, she would not do that. She would not play us against each other. I want you to know that I love you, Dad. Mike's dad says that you can choose your friends but you can't choose your family. I am not going to judge your life or your lifestyle. You have not judged mine. I respect your privacy. But don't for one moment think that I don't know what is going on. After all, I am a deputy sheriff and I have my own sources of information. I love you just the way you are and would never try to change you. I just want us to be friends. If we can only be friends on your terms, that's fine with me. I just want to remain in contact with you. If you choose to share some with us, it will stay with us. Mike and I have an open relationship. We don't keep secrets from each other."
Mark's dad looked shocked. I was starting to think he was not that bright.
"Mike's dad sounds like a wise man. I respect you and am proud of you, Mark. But there are some things that you don't need to know. They don't affect you. As far as keeping in touch with me, as long as you keep where I am to yourself, I don't have a problem with that. Your mom is looking to cut my balls off over child support. But don't do like her and get all nosy with my personal business. If you use your police resources to find out more about me, keep it to yourself. I don't want to hear about it."
"I don't want you to feel like you owe me anything, Dad. I am now able to take care of myself, with Mike's help. I would be lost without his support."
Mark's dad took us for a ride and showed us the area where the school was. He said that he had plans for that night and dropped us off at the hotel. There was a really good Italian restaurant near the hotel and I called to make a reservation for dinner. I also called home and talked to Dad. I let him know that everything went fine today and we would see them on Sunday. Mark and I walked down to the restaurant and went inside. Mark had been quiet all afternoon. After ordering our food, I decided to ask him about how he felt about his conversation with his dad.
"I think you handled your father very well today, Mark."
"I was totally pissed. I wanted to tell him off. Remember how pissed I got at you a while back with this 'me and I' stuff? He is so self- centered. He doesn't care about anyone but himself. All this 'it's my business' stuff. Who does he think he is, Michael Corleone in the Godfather? He wants everything on his own terms. He thinks that a relationship is based only on his terms. I got even madder when he said that stuff about my mother. I was ready to kick his ass. But then I thought that I need to show him unconditional love and I settled down. I sure as hell was not going to let him shut me out. One thing I really regret - I really wanted to meet my brother and sister. They are my family and they are my business. I now know what your father was saying about closure. I no longer feel any fault for my parents breaking up."
Dinner arrived and it was very good. We stopped at a Starbucks coffee on our way back to the hotel and enjoyed that very much. When we got back to our room, the phone was blinking. I called the front desk and they said that Captain Wright had called and left his pager number with instructions for us to call him tomorrow.
I turned on the TV and cuddled up with Mark. The news was on and they were talking about a big crash on the Dan Ryan expressway. We weren't paying that much attention. They said that two people died in a pick-up truck that got in an accident with a semi-truck. They switched to a live report to show the traffic backup and then switched to the crash itself. When they zoomed in on the crushed pick-up truck, Mark's eyes went wide.
"That's Dad's pick-up! That dent on the back quarter panel is the same as his. I have to call and find out, Mike."
"Why don't we page Captain Wright? He should be able to find out something for us."
"That's a good idea."
I got on the phone and paged Captain Wright. A few minutes later the phone rang and Mark answered.
"Hello, Captain Wright, this is Mark Adams. I just saw on the news that there was an accident on the Dan Ryan and I think that my dad was killed. Could you check for me?"
"His name is Peter Adams."
"Okay, I'll wait."
"He said that he is at home but he will call for us. Then he will call us back as soon as he finds out something."
The next 5 minutes seemed like an hour. Then the phone rang.
"Hello."
"Oh, my god, I knew it."
"Okay."
"Bye."
"My dad and his common-law wife are dead. He is going to have a car meet us downstairs in 5 minutes and take us to the police station. He is going to meet us there."
"I am so sorry, Mark. Are you okay?"
"Don't know yet. Ask me again in a couple of hours."
I called my Dad quick and he was shocked. He told me to let him know if there's anything that he could do. I told him that he might want to jump on a plane and get over here. He said that he would but it would probably be tomorrow. I knew that Mark was going to need him.
We went downstairs and a police car was waiting for us. We went to the main police headquarters. The officer led us to Captain Wright's office.
"Come in, guys. I am so sorry, Mark. Have a seat, boys. I wish that we could have met under better circumstances. I am in charge of all the police officers in Chicago schools."
"We have a major issue that needs to be resolved. A social worker from social services is on her way over here right now. Your father, Mark, had two children with his common-law wife. There is a boy who is 9 and a girl who is 6. They are at home with a baby sitter. They don't know yet what has happened. Your father's common-law wife has no family, so you are their only living relative. We would like you guys to go with the social worker to inform them. I want you to think about this, Mark. You might be the only one who can stop these two from being separated and sent to foster homes. The city does grant guardianship to 16 year olds who can afford to take care of brothers and sisters. And seeing as you are a member of the Chicago Police, honorably or not, will give you all the pull you need with social services."
"I would have to talk that over with Mike's parents. I could not take care of them myself. My mother couldn't afford it. I also plan on going to college in a year and a half. I am not ready to become an instant parent."
"I agree, but I do think you are ready to become a instant brother. What do you think, Mark?"
"I will be the best brother any two kids have ever had, and I will be their guardian also if Mike's parents and Mike agree to it."
Just then this well dressed 30-something woman came into Captain Wright's office.
"Hi, I'm Lisa Jones from social services."
Captain Wright introduced Mark and me to Lisa Jones. She seemed like a nice lady.
"I have been assigned this case. I am really sorry about your father, Mark. Are you all right?"
"Yes, I am a bit overwhelmed but my father and I were not that close, at least in the last 8 years."
"I handle these kinds of cases all the time, Mark. I will explain things to you while we go to your father's apartment. The baby sitter needs to go home."
We said good-bye and thanks to Captain Wright. He told us to call him tomorrow. We made our way to Lisa's car and got in.
"These situations are always very difficult. Normally I have a police officer go with me, but seeing that you are a police officer, Mark, it should be less threatening. We will take the kids to social services and, once we are there. I will inform them that their parents have died. Have you ever met you brother or sister, Mark?"
"No, Mrs. Jones."
"Please call me Lisa. If you had and they knew you, I would have you tell them. I am really good with young kids but a close relative can be much better. I'm a stranger so they might not trust or believe me. Have you been able to decide whether or not you want custody, Mark?"
"Mike? Help, please."
"I am in favor of it, Mark. I am sure that my parents will be thrilled. Mom already has signs of empty nest syndrome."
"I think it is a good idea. I need to talk to Mike's parents first. Mike's dad will be here tomorrow."
"Great, then when we get to the house, I will introduce you as their brother. Try to bond with them as much as possible on the way to social services. They will stay there tonight. Should you decide to take them, Mark, I can have all the paperwork done tomorrow and after that they can stay with you and your family, Mike."
"I'm going to see if I can get my dad to make arrangements for the funeral and other arrangements."
"That's great, Mike. It is important that the kids have closure and move on as soon as possible."
In no time we were at Mark's dad's apartment. Lisa rang the buzzer to open the outside door. A girl's voice came on the other end, asking who it was. Lisa identified herself and we were let in. When we got to the door, Lisa knocked. She showed her ID to the baby sitter. Mark showed his badge and identified himself as a Chicago policeman.
Lisa asked where the kids were. She said that they were still up playing in their bedroom. Lisa asked her to introduce us and explained to introduce Mark as their brother and me as his friend. She brought us into the small bedroom. The two kids were adorable. The boy looked like a younger version of Mark and the girl had blond hair and blue eyes. The baby sitter introduced us and both their eyes went wide. Their names are Jeff and Sally.
"We didn't know we had a brother," Jeff said. "But you look like me, just bigger."
"I am your father's son from before he met your mom."
"Mark is also a police officer. Show them your badge, Mark."
Both the kids said 'cool' and gave Mark a hug. He had a great big smile on his face, and so did the kids. Lisa told the baby sitter that she was no longer needed. Mark handed her a 50-dollar bill. She seemed quite happy with that.
"Okay, kids, we need to go downtown. So get your shoes and hats and coats on."
"Is Mark going to arrest us?"
"No, he is here to protect you and be your friend."
"Where is mommy and daddy?" Sally asked.
"Did they get arrested?" Jeff said.
"No, we will talk about your parents when we get downtown. In the meantime, get to know Mark and Mike."
The apartment was not that bad. It was old but it was clean. The kids got ready and we left, holding their hands. In the car Sally sat on my lap and Jeff sat on Mark's lap. It didn't take us long to get to social services. Lisa led us back into the building. She took us to her office and had Mark and me sit outside while she talked to the kids. After about ten minutes the door crashed open and Jeff and Sally came running out the door with tears in their eyes and threw their arms around Mark.
After about 10 minutes of sobbing, Jeff asked Mark if they could stay with him.