by B L
Miller & Verda Foster
© 2001
part 1
Disclaimers: Lots of swearing, mentions of sexual abuse and of course
since it's a B L story there are graphic scenes of two women making
love.
The
booming voice of the bailiff cut through the din of the courtroom. "All
rise, Family Court of Iroquois County is now in session. Honorable
Judge Grimm presiding." Grace stood next to the Public Defender, her
hair a rainbow of pink, green, white and blue with blonde roots. "Be
seated," the bailiff sat after the judge took the bench.
"Miss
Waters," Judge Grimm said, looking squarely at Grace. "This is not the
first time you've appeared before me, but it will be the last. You have
no regard for the rights of others and no amount of community service or
probation is going to change that." Grace rolled her eyes. "I know you
think this is all some kind of fun little game but your playtime is
over, young woman," he said, his voice rising with anger. "You
assaulted a teacher and that kind of behavior cannot be tolerated. I
agree with the School Board's recommendation that you not be allowed to
return to Iroquois High School. Since the District Attorney has decided
not to charge you as an adult, the question before this court then
becomes what to do with you."
"Who
cares," Grace muttered, then rolled her eyes at the reproachful look
from her court appointed lawyer.
"Indeed, Miss Waters," the judge said. "It's clear you don't. It is
also clear to this court that your mother is unable to maintain any type
of control over you and releasing you to her custody again will only
result in allowing you the opportunity to add to your already lengthy
record. Therefore, the sentencing will be as follows; the minor
Graceful Lake Waters is remanded to the custody of the State until the
age of eighteen, which I understand to be in six months."
"Big
fucking deal," Grace mumbled, ignoring the stifled cries of her mother
sitting in the row behind the defense table.
Judge
Grimm's face turned beet red. "That's enough from you. I was going to
send you to Crestwood but after listening to you, I think something more
than a minimum-security youth facility is in order. I'm sending you and
that smart mouth of yours to Sapling Hill."
"You
had to open your mouth," her lawyer whispered.
"Big
deal," Grace said, flipping her middle finger at the judge before the
handcuffs were put on her by the bailiff. "Boot camp for girls. Who
cares?"
"Oh
Grace," her mother cried as the bailiff passed her to the corrections
officer for the youth facility.
******
DAY
ONE
******
The
parking lot was full of upset parents waiting for the corrections
officers to take their teenage daughters away to the Sapling Hill Youth
Facility for Girls, better known as the Girl's Boot Camp. Grace had
spent the two weeks since sentencing at Crestwood, unable to see her
mother. Now she had only a few minutes before she would be put on the
bus and sent north to what other teens had described as 'hell with lots
of trees.' To her annoyance, Edna Waters spent those minutes crying at
the sight of her daughter in an orange jumpsuit and shackles.
"That's
right, make a scene," Grace said, rolling her eyes as her mother pulled
out another tissue.
"I told
you we should have hired a private lawyer instead of going with the
Public Defender," her mother said, dabbing at the tears that spilled out
of her eyes. "Now look at you."
"It's
six months, Ma. I can do that standing on my head," Grace turned her
head to let the wind blow the pink bangs out of her eyes. "Look at it
this way, you're always complaining you don't know where I am or what
I'm doing. Now you'll know."
"Shackles," her mother said sadly, referring to the restraints keeping
Grace's wrists pinned to her sides. "If your grandfather had lived to
see this."
"Yeah
yeah, I know I'm a huge disappointment and a disgrace to the family,"
the teen said, drawing a look from a nearby guard.
"If you
would just realize how much better things could be," her mother said.
"If you would just get some direction in your life."
"I've
got direction," Grace snapped. "I don't need you or anyone else telling
me how to act and what to do. I can handle everything just fine by
myself."
"That's
enough," the burly guard said as he approached the pair. "Mrs. Waters,
it's time for you to say goodbye now." He leveled Grace with a glare.
"Maybe you'll clean up that smart mouth of yours and learn some respect
at Sapling Hill."
"Yeah
and maybe I'll grow up to be President too, right?" Jerking her wrists
against the restraints, Grace growled in anger. "You don't give a shit
anyway so get the hell away from me, you lousy pig."
The
corrections officer grabbed her arm. "I think you'll sit right up front
with me," he said. "Mrs. Waters, did your lawyer explain the visitation
to you?"
Grace's
mother nodded and pulled out another tissue. "He said maybe after the
first two months."
"They'll send you a letter to let you know," he said. "Let's go you
smart mouth punk."
"What's
the matter? Can't get any unless you chain them up?" Grace taunted as
he pulled her in the direction of the bus. "Then again, maybe you ain't
got one to get up in the first place."
"Oh
yeah, that big mouth of yours will be real welcome at Sapling Hill," he
said, jerking her to stop in front of the bus where another officer
stood with a clipboard in hand. "This is Grace Waters," he said.
"She's going right up front."
******
Grace
was furious by the time the bus pulled through the high gates of Sapling
Hill. A well-aimed glob of spit had earned her a gag that brought
laughter and comments from the other teens. Now the bus had stopped and
everyone was off except her. The guard who put her on the bus, and whom
she had spit upon, was now talking to a tall woman with short black hair
and wearing military fatigues. The woman nodded several times, then
stepped onto the bus.
"Well
Waters, it seems you're going to be this group's hard case." The
imposing woman stood in front of Grace and towered over her. "You
listen up and you listen close, little girl. Playtime is OVER!" she
shouted into Grace's ear, startling her as the shackles that held the
teen to the seat were removed. "Now you get your ass off this bus and
line up. MOVE IT!" Grace ran off the bus, the screaming woman right on
her heels. "MOVE MOVE MOVE!" When the teen reached the end of the
line, she turned and stood facing the bus. "All right ladies," the tall
woman said. "Welcome to Sapling Hill Rehabilitation Facility. I am
Instructor Carey. You will refer to me as Instructor Carey or Ma'am."
Looking around, Grace noticed more than half of the girls standing
around were wearing orange or green jumpsuits from the Youth Authority,
including herself. Carey paced back and forth in front of the three
dozen girls. "Nothing else will be tolerated. Do I make myself
clear?" She was met with a chorus of 'yes ma'ams and yes Instructor
Carey', except for Grace, whose mouth was still gagged. Carey walked
down the line until she was standing in front of Grace. "This is
Waters," she said in a loud, clear voice. "Waters didn't know enough to
keep her mouth shut. As you see, she was punished." Reaching around
Grace's head, Carey untied the knot and removed the gag. "This is
Sapling Hill. You have a chance here to turn your life around. The
other instructors and I are here to help you. If you accept that help,
you will leave Sapling Hill a different person. If you don't," she
stared directly at Grace. "This will be the saddest five months you've
ever had."
******
"This
is bogus," Grace said to the girl standing at the next cot.
"Word
up," the girl said. "Latisha Jones," she said, holding out her hand.
"Grace
Waters," she answered, shaking the hand in dark contrast to her own.
"What'd you do to get here?"
"Set
fire to the school library," Latisha said. "You?"
"Threw
a chair at a teacher," Grace said. "He had it coming, though."
"You
get five months?"
"Six,"
she said. "After I get out of here I have to serve another month,
probably at Crestwood."
"I'm
done after here," Latisha said. "Girl, that's one funky 'do."
Grace
ran her fingers through her multicolored hair. "Works for me. Better
than dreadlocks," she said, referring to the style Latisha was wearing.
"Jones." They turned to see the imposing Instructor Carey approach.
"This is not macramé class and your head isn't a planter. Get those
beads out of your hair now. Waters, let's go."
Rolling
her eyes, Grace put her hand on her hip. "Where?"
"YOU
DROP AND GIVE ME TEN PUSHUPS RIGHT NOW!" Carey yelled, causing Latisha
to jump back and the other girls in the barracks to stop what they were
doing to see what the commotion was about. Grace lowered herself to the
floor, though not as fast as she knew the screaming woman would have
liked. "WHEN I TELL YOU TO DO SOMETHING, YOU SAY YES MA'AM OR YES
INSTRUCTOR CAREY!" she hollered. "Four, five, six, keep going. Seven,
eight, nine, ten. Stand up." Grace felt the anger rise in her along
with the embarrassment of being reprimanded in front of the other girls
but knew enough to stay quiet this time. Clearly Instructor Carey was
not someone to mess with. "Now let's go."
******
Grace
remained quiet as Instructor Carey led her to the Administration
Building, not wanting to draw another any more pushups. "We're going to
do something about that hair of yours," Carey said as she unlocked the
door labeled Barber.
"No
way," Grace said. "You're not fucking touching my hair."
Carey
was immediately at her right side. "DID I ASK YOU A QUESTION?" she
screamed into Grace's ear. "YOU DROP AND GIVE ME TEN! You don't get to
make the decisions around here, do you understand? DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
"Yes
Ma'am," Grace grunted as she pushed up with her arms.
"What
do you think people think when they see that rainbow on your head? They
see a freak, not someone to take seriously. Is that what you want
people to think of you?"
"No
Ma'am."
"I
don't care what trash your parents let you get away with, you don't
swear at the instructors here. Do you understand?"
"Yes
Ma'am." Bitch.
"All the way up, all the way down, Waters. You don't take
shortcuts here," Carey said. "Nine, ten. Stand up." Grace did as she
was told, giving the instructor a dirty look for making her do pushups.
"Get your ass in that chair and I don't want to hear one word from you
unless I ask a question, got it?"
Grace rolled her eyes and slowly moved into the chair. "Yes Ma'am,"
she said, doing her best to be as disrespectful as she could with the
word.
"We can do this easy or we can do this hard, it's all up to you,
Waters," Carey said. "You can follow the rules and do what you're told
or spend all day doing pushups and being yelled at. You make your own
bed here." She put a short length guard on the electric clippers. "Now
you're going to sit still and that smart mouth of yours isn't going to
say a word unless I ask you a question." Grace gave her a murderous
look as the clippers were turned on. "What you're thinking is written
clearly on your face." She shut the clippers off. "You think I'm the
biggest bitch living and you'd love to take a shot at me." The dark
haired woman gripped either side of the barber chair, her face only
inches from the teen. "Do it and you'll never be that unhappy again.
Now wipe that look off your face and sit up straight."
Grace clenched her jaw and stared hard at the door opposite her as the
Instructor Carey wrapped a plastic robe around her neck. Damn bitch.
She became even angrier as multicolored locks of hair fell to the
floor. "You wanna leave some?" she snapped. A firm hand clamped down
on her head, keeping her from moving it.
"Move your head again and I'll shave you bald," Carey said. "And when
I'm done, you're dropping for ten for that smart mouth of yours. Want
to try for twenty?"
"No Ma'am."
"Then sit still and keep quiet."
******
Walking back to the barracks, Grace ran her fingers through her now
short blonde hair. "Fucking bitch," she grumbled, rubbing arms sore
from all the pushups. Seeing Latisha standing with several other girls
just outside the barracks, Grace headed over to join them.
"Damn girlfriend, you got chopped," Latisha said.
Grace self-consciously rubbed her hair. "The bitch wasn't happy until
she damn near scalped me," she said. "What'd I miss?"
Latisha shook her head. "Nothing. See that girl over there? She got
into it with the short instructor."
"Yeah," one of the girls standing next to them said. "And Gage started
screaming and yelling at her and the wimp started crying like a baby."
The girls laughed at the incident and Grace joined in, knowing full well
that no one could make her cry.
"All right girls, let's line up," Instructor Gage said as she
approached. "Arm's length apart, I want to see you nine across and four
deep." Other girls began to assemble and Grace quickly made her way to
the back row. Suddenly she felt a firm hand slap down on her shoulder.
The look from the girls around her left no doubt as to whom it was.
"You're going up front where I can keep my eye on you," Instructor Carey
said. "Let's go." Grace knew better than to object.
Now up front, Grace had an unobstructed view of three of the
instructors. Carey was the tallest, her short black hair barely peeking
out beneath the olive drab cap while mirrored sunglasses kept her eyes
hidden. Next to her was Gage, her complexion several shades darker than
Latisha. Standing slightly behind the other two was Donaldson, a tall,
short haired blonde with an angular face whose light blue eyes were in
constant motion, moving from one girl to the next.
"Quiet," Carey said, causing a silence to fall over the group. "As you
know, you were not allowed to bring any personal effects including
jewelry and clothing other than what you're wearing." The mirrored
sunglasses turned in Grace's direction. "And in some cases, clothing
provided by the youth authority. This is the last time you will wear
those clothes. You will be provided with everything you will need to
wear while you are here. And before any of you get any ideas, bras and
panties are required, not optional." Grace wondered how they were going
to enforce that rule, not that she would ever violate it. Ever since
she had started to develop, her nipples had been too sensitive to rub up
against a shirt all day.
Instructor Gage stepped forward, the petite woman barely coming to
Carey's shoulder. "You will be divided into four squads. Count off and
line up with your squad. You will be known as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and
Delta squads in that order," she said over the counting. "Let me
explain how your days will go, ladies. At oh six hundred you will wake
up. You'll have half an hour to shower, dress and make your bunks. At
oh six thirty you will report here for inspection. Whenever you are
told to report to formation you will come here and assemble with your
squad. You will have morning mess between seven and seven thirty. At
seven thirty there will be barracks inspection. From eight until noon
you will participate in PT or FT. After lunch you will have classes,
mentoring sessions, or studying time until dinner. After that, you'll
have three hours for studying or rec time. Lights out is twenty one
hundred hours. That's nine PM for those of you unfamiliar with military
time."
"You will attend classes and training according to your squad
assignment," Instructor Carey said. "The schedule will be posted on the
bulletin board outside the mess hall. You will have one on one
counseling sessions with your assigned mentor. That schedule will also
be posted on the board. There are no weekends here, ladies. Monday,
Wednesday and Friday are Schedule A and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
is Schedule B. Sunday is not a day of rest. On Sunday your mornings
will be the same as they are on A and B schedules with the exception
that you may be excused from the morning run if you wish to attend
chapel. The afternoons will be spent in studying or doing your homework
unless you receive Privilege."
"Privilege." Instructor Gage said, her voice much higher than Carey's.
"What do you think privilege is? Just like the real world, privilege is
something you earn. If you are on Privilege, you will be allowed to
spend your free time in the rec room or at the athletic fields. You'll
be allowed to have visits from your family."
******
"No way," Grace said when she saw the khaki dress uniform. "We're not
in the fucking army."
"You got a problem?" Instructor Gage said, approaching rapidly.
"No Ma'am," Grace said quickly.
"Then cut the chatter and keep moving."
Grace filed forward, stopping at the counter when Inspector Carey was
waiting.
"Name?" the dark haired woman asked without looking up from her
clipboard.
"Waters, Ma'am."
The instructor turned around and grabbed a neatly folded stack of khaki
slacks and shirts with Grace's name patch already sewn on. "Shoe size?"
"Eight, Ma'am." Instructor Carey pushed the clothes into Grace's arms,
then added a pair of black boots and white canvas sneakers with thick
soles. "Move on to the next station."
Moving on, Grace found herself in front of Instructor Donaldson.
"Bra size, panty size."
"Thirty two C, four, Ma'am." Two sport bras and three pairs of panties
were added to her pile.
"Into the next room, strip and shower, then change into your dress
uniform and report to formation. Make sure you stand with your squad,"
the blonde woman said. "Next. Bra size, panty size."
******
Grace entered the next room where Instructor Mitchell was waiting.
"Strip. Clothes go in the trash bag, footwear in the box. What's your
name?"
"Waters, Ma'am," Grace said as she put her foot on the bench and began
untying the laces.
"Nice sneakers, Waters. Goodwill will be happy to have them," Mitchell
said. Grace scowled and almost said something but thought the better of
it, not wanting to do any more pushups. "Let's go Waters. You don't
have anything I don't."
******
"I said line up," Gage said. "I can see from here that we're going to
have some work to do. Dress uniform means just that. Take some pride
in your appearance. Bowen, get that shirt buttoned and tucked in." She
began pacing back in forth in front of the squads. "When you return to
your barracks you will find the rest of the clothes assigned to you are
on your bunks. Instructor Carey will explain what clothes are to be
worn when and what the requirements are for inspection. Today is day
one and it will be the easiest day you will have for the next six
months."
******
"Listen up," Instructor Carey said. "You've received two sets of
tee-shirts and shorts. The blue set is for PT, the white set for
sleeping." She stopped in front of Grace. "Waters, when would you wear
the blue set?"
"PT, Ma'am."
"You have been issued several undershirts," Carey continued, moving on
down the line of bunks. "When you report to morning formation you will
wear your dress uniform. That consists of the following; your boots
neatly polished with the laces not touching the ground, one pair of
white socks, panties, bra, one pair of khaki slacks neatly creased down
the front and back, one khaki web belt with the buckle polished, your
khaki cap, one undershirt and your khaki shirt with the sleeves neatly
pressed." Reaching the end of the bunks, she turned around and began
walking back. "When you are told to report to FT, or field training,
you will report in your BDU's. BDU stands for battle dress uniform.
That's the camouflage shirt and pants with the olive undershirt and
olive cap. Classes and meals will be attended in your dress uniform
only." Once again she stopped in front of Grace. "Waters, what makes
up the dress uniform?"
"Khaki shirt and pants, Ma'am."
"Drop and give me ten," Carey said. "Anyone else want to try?"
I hate you, Grace thought as she lowered herself to the concrete
floor.
******
"We survived day one," Gage said, opening a can of soda and leaning her
hip against the desk.
"It's going to be a long term this time, Sue," Carey said, leaning back
in her chair. "I just feel it." She looked at the stack of folders on
her desk. "We still have to finish up the mentoring assignments."
"How many are left?"
"Twelve," Carey said. "Mitchell took ten and Donaldson took fourteen."
"Why did Marilyn take fourteen?" Gage asked.
"Because Judith is taking RM," Carey said.
"Why would anyone volunteer to teach Remedial Math?" Gage asked. "You
know that will be the biggest class."
"Judith is good that way," Carey said. "She can make anyone understand
math. Be glad I didn't have to assign it or you would have gotten RM."
"No way Carey," Gage said. "I've already got Personal Finance and
English."
"And I have Self Defense and Sexual Responsibility," Carey said. "You
think I want to spend two sessions a day trying to get teenage girls to
talk about sex? I'll make you a deal, you take SR and I'll take seven
girls."
"Not a chance," Gage said. "I'll take seven and you keep SR."
Carey sighed and reached for the top folder. "I tried," she said. "All
right, Jennings, Christine. Sixteen, assault with a deadly weapon,
declared PINS after cracking her father's skull with a lug wrench.
Psych eval suggests sexual abuse."
"I'll take her," Gage said.
"All right, that's one down, eleven to go," Carey said, reaching for the
next folder. "Bowen, Jan. Seventeen, oh this is nice, armed robbery,
possession with intent to sell, assault, three different trips to
Crestwood. Sent to a foster home after step-father arrested for
sexually abusing minors. Psych eval incomplete?" She flipped the top
page to see the supplemental information. "She attacked the
psychologist at Crestwood but has a long history of receiving
counseling." She looked at Sue. "Wonder what that shrink said to tick
her off." Running her thumb along the corner of the rest of the pages,
Carey let out a low whistle. "Seems like everyone has something to say
about her."
"Three trips to Crestwood says a lot by itself," Gage said. "Let's set
her aside for now. Who's next?"
"Lopez, Maribel…"
The two instructors went back and forth selecting the girls they would
be responsible to mentor and counsel. Carey picked up the last folder,
surprised by its thickness. "Waters, Graceful." She raised an eyebrow
and looked at Gage.
"You have to admit her mother was clever," Gage said.
Carey smiled and shook her head. "Her mother should have called her
Stormy. I thought I was going to have to strap her into the chair to
get that clown hair off of her. All right, let's see the distinguished
record of Smart Mouth. Seventeen. Assault, vandalism, possession of
drugs on school property, the list goes on." She flipped through the
pages. "Look at this transcript. A's and B's freshman and sophomore
years, then she went right to C's, D's and F's first quarter of her
junior year."
"What's the psych eval say?" Gage asked.
"Incomplete. Don't tell me she attacked her shrink too." Carey looked
through the pages until she found the report. "She refused to say
anything to the psychologist." She closed the folder and set it on her
stack. "I'll take Waters, you take Bowen."
"You sure?" Gage asked.
"I'm sure," Carey said. "I have a feeling about Waters."
******
Grace draped the towel over her shoulder and picked up her toiletry
kit. "This is so bogus," she said.
"Word up," Latisha replied. "What do they think we're going to do with
a Bic?"
"Nothing," Jan said. "Gage just wants to get a look, that's all." They
stepped into the changing room and opened their assigned lockers. "Gets
a thrill figuring out who's a natural blonde."
"Wonderful," Grace said, unbuttoning her shirt and pulling it free from
her pants. Next to her, Latisha pulled off her white sports bra,
revealing nipples several shades darker than the smooth caramel toned
skin. Grace dared to peek out of the corner of her eye as she removed
her own tee shirt and bra.
"Well Latisha, I guess you don't have to worry," Jan said.
"Yes I do," Latisha said. "How am I supposed to shave my bikini area if
she's right there watching?"
"Turn your back to her," Grace said, kneeling down to unlace her boots.
"Then all she'll see is your ass."
"Yeah," Jan said. "That's wide enough to keep her from seeing
anything."
"Bite me, Bowen," Latisha said. "I'm not the one who had to go back and
get larger sized pants."
"That's not my fault," Jan said. "Crestwood gave them the wrong size.
I told you that before."
"Uh huh, sure," Latisha said skeptically.
"Are you girls going to stand there and chatter all day?" Instructor
Gage called out from the shower room.
"No Ma'am," Grace said, pushing her pants and panties down together,
then sitting on the bench to pull them off. "Babysitting in the
shower," she added in a lower voice. "Way bogus."
"Word," Latisha said in an equally low voice as she closed her locker.
"Well," Jan said. "Let's go show Short Shit what we've got."
As they entered the large shower area, Instructor Gage stood near the
entrance with a clipboard and a box of safety razors by her side.
"Name?"
"Bowen, Ma'am," Jan said. Gage looped a plastic tag on a razor, then
labeled it with permanent marker. "Shaving allowed only in stations one
through four," she said as she handed Jan the razor. "Name?"
"Waters," Grace said, looking around the tiled room, ten shower heads
spaced along three walls while a towel rack and privacy wall took up the
fourth. She rolled her eyes. Of course, pukey green with little
windows way up high that no one can squeeze out of. Like anyone is
going to try and run away while buck naked in the shower.
"Shaving allowed only in stations one through four," Instructor Gage
said.
Setting her towel on the rack, Grace walked past Jan at station one and
took station two while Latisha took the one next to her. "Hot water?"
she asked.
"Lukewarm," Jan said, soaping her underarms. "So what's the deal with
having to shave right here?"
Grace turned on the water, setting it as hot as it would go. "Guess
they don't want us to slit our wrists or something."
"With these little things?" Jan asked, holding out the blue razor.
"Next thing you know they'll take away bar soap for fear we'll carve it
into a gun."
Grace rinsed her hair, then reached for the shampoo dispenser mounted on
the wall between each shower station. "No hair dryer, no makeup, no
nail polish, can't even wear jewelry."
"Word," Latisha said. "My holes are going to close up but they don't
care."
"I'm surprised they let Hathaway keep her glasses," Grace said. "Don't
they know they have metal screws?"
"You have a commentary, Waters?" the authoritative voice asked.
"No Ma'am," Grace said, sharing a look with Jan and Latisha. I have
got to learn to watch what I say when the Goon Squad is around.
******
DAY
TWO
******
Grace kept her eyes focused on the flagpole as the instructors walked up
and down the rows of girls. To her dismay, she found herself face to
face with the imposing Instructor Carey.
"Two hits for Waters," she said. "No undershirt, laces touching the
ground." Grace shifted her weight from one leg to the other and rolled
her eyes. "DROP FOR TWENTY!" Carey screamed into her ear.
Damn bitch, Grace thought as she pushed up. You think it's so
fun to do pushups? Get that tall ass of yours down here and do them and
see how you feel, Queen bitch. When she finished, she rose and
glared at the flagpole, wishing it would magically collapse and land on
Instructor Carey.
"All right, report to the mess hall. Barracks inspection in thirty
minutes," Instructor Carey said, mirrored sunglasses looked in Grace's
direction. "I've seen the barracks and some of you should think about
skipping breakfast."
"Ten hut," Instructor Carey said as she and Gage entered the barracks.
"Line up at the foot of your bunk. Bowen, sneakers go to the left of
the footlocker, not the right. Jennings, hats aren't worn indoors."
She stopped at Grace's bunk. "Obviously your mother never taught you
how to make a bed," she said, reaching down and ripping off the linens
with one firm tug.
Damn, Grace thought as the bed coverings went flying.
"Make it again," the dark haired instructor said. Grace reached down
and took the sheet, then spread it out over the cot and began to tuck it
in around the sides. "Hold it," Carey said, pulling the sheet free.
"Watch me. Do the blanket and sheet together. Tuck the bottom in
first, then make a sharp corner here," she demonstrated. "Then the
sides. No wrinkles and you can bounce a quarter off it."
"Yes Ma'am," Grace said, thinking it silly to worry about how a bed was
made.
"Now you do it," Instructor Carey said, stripping the bunk again.
"Yes Ma'am." Picking up the linens, Grace spread them out over the
bed. She tucked the bottom in, then made a less than perfect corner and
pushed the blanket under the sides.
"Think if I took out a quarter that it would bounce on that?" Carey
asked.
"No Ma'am." Who cares?
Instructor Carey then gripped the top of the blanket and pulled the
linens off again. "Now do it correctly."
"Yes Ma'am." Bitch. Grace jerked the blanket up from the floor.
"TEN HUT!" The teen jumped to attention, the blanket still gripped in
her hand. "You'd better learn to curb that smart ass attitude of yours
AND I MEAN RIGHT NOW!" she screamed into Grace's ear. "Do it right and
you wouldn't have to do it again. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
"Yes Ma'am." You bitch.
"I'm not sure you do, Waters. But you will EVEN IF I HAVE TO YELL AT
YOU EVERY SECOND! Now you drop and give me ten. I SAID NOW!"
Grace hit the floor. Fucking bitch.
"Count out loud, Waters."
"One Ma'am." I hope you get hit by a bus. "Two Ma'am." And
after they hit you… "Three Ma'am." …they back up… "Four
Ma'am." …and run you over again. "Five Ma'am." Go to hell.
"Six Ma'am." I hate you. "Seven Ma'am." Why can't you leave
me alone? "Eight Ma'am." Bitch. "Nine, Ma'am." Drop
dead. "Ten Ma'am."
"Now get up and make that bunk properly," the instructor said.
"Yes Ma'am." I hope I'm driving the bus. Grace reached down and
picked up the blanket again, this time making sure not to snatch the
linens.
******
"All right, Alpha and Bravo Squads, fall in." Carey stood in front of
the group of eighteen. "The four hours between barracks inspection and
lunch are reserved for your physical and field training. On A schedule
you'll have PT with me and on B with Instructor Gage. There is more to
gain from PT than just sore muscles. You will gain confidence and a
sense of accomplishment, both of which are sorely lacking in each and
every one of you. How many of you think you can run five miles? Don't
all raise your hands up at once. You'll be doing five miles easy before
you're through here." Grace rolled her eyes and put her hand on her
hip. "Waters, you have a problem?"
Grace straightened up. "No Ma'am."
"Are you sure? You don't seem happy about the idea of PT."
"PT is fine, Ma'am."
"Then it's the five mile run that caused that little display of
attitude?"
"No Ma'am."
"Then I have to assume your unspoken commentary was for no reason,"
Carey said calmly as she walked over to the teen's side. "So since you
disrupted for no good reason, YOU DROP AND GIVE ME TEN PUSHUPS RIGHT
NOW!"
Damn, Grace thought as she lowered herself to the ground.
"Do you like doing pushups?"
"No Ma'am."
"Then you like being yelled at," Carey said. "Is that it? DO YOU NEED
TO BE YELLED AT?"
"No Ma'am."
"ARE YOU SURE?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Then you better adjust that attitude of yours and quick," Carey said.
"Because I'm not going to put up with it, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Seven, eight, nine, ten. Now get up and show some respect."
Grace stood up and straightened her cap. Damn bitch.
"All right, we're taking a nice easy one mile run, girls. Start
stretching."
Stretch this, Grace thought as she limbered up. As soon as the
dark haired woman's back was to her, the teen flipped her the middle
finger.
"Man, she's got it in for you," Jan said in a low voice.
"She's a damn bitch," Grace muttered. "I'll never make it through this
dump if I have to put up with her."
"That's not chatter I hear, is it?" Instructor Carey asked, causing all
the whispering conversations to stop. "Must be done stretching then.
All right, line up and get ready."
******
"Grace, sit here," Latisha said, moving over to make room on the bench.
"Did you see the schedule for classes?"
"I saw it," Grace said as she swung her legs over the bench and sat
down. "Any idea what PF stands for?"
"Not a clue but Gage is teaching it," Latisha said. "I know SD is self
defense."
Grace rolled her eyes. "Great, Carey's teaching that one."
"Yeah, another excuse to beat up on us," Jan Bowen said. "Grenner said
that Viking Donaldson told Delta Squad that SR is Sexual
Responsibility."
"Oh no," Grace groaned. "Don't tell me they're going to do that whole
'be good girls and keep your legs closed' bullshit."
"Sounds like it," Jan said. "What's the matter, Waters? Your legs so
far apart they're in different zip codes?" The table erupted in
laughter.
"Fuck you," Grace said lightly, unaware of the dark haired woman coming
up behind her. "At least I don't go to the kennel looking for dates."
"Oh no you didn't just say that," Latisha said.
"Bite me, Waters."
"Naw, I'm trying to cut down on fat," Grace said, drawing more laughter
at their table for several seconds before it suddenly stopped and
everyone looked at a spot just behind her She rolled her eyes, knowing
she had once again been caught by the woman she thought of as Queen
Bitch.
Carey squatted down so she was eye level with them. "Do you ladies
think you can find something more constructive to talk about?" she said,
looking around the table and pausing when her eyes landed on Grace.
"Unless you would rather write a nice long essay on how incredibly
unladylike it is to infer that someone has sex with dogs."
Can't you find someone else to pick on? Grace thought to
herself. When the instructor walked out of earshot, she saluted with
her middle finger. "Aye aye, Captain Carey, Ma'am," she said, drawing
giggles from the girls at the table.
"She's just worried there won't be any Dobermans left for her," Jan
added, causing even more laughter. She held her hands up like a begging
dog. "Woof woof."
"Oh shit," Latisha said. "She's coming." The girls settled down and
did their best to appear interested in their lunches when the instructor
returned.
"Why is it out of four tables, this one is the loudest?" Carey asked.
"You girls must have too much pent up energy. I'll tell Instructor Gage
to work you a little harder tomorrow during PT."
******
"All right, settle down," Carey said as she closed the classroom door.
"Well if it isn't Bravo Squad. What class are you coming from?"
"English, Ma'am," Latisha said.
"A class all of you should pay attention to," Carey said. "Well, this
is the infamous SR on the schedule. SR stands for Sexual Responsibility
and for the next five months we will be studying just what that means
and what effect your sexual activity can have on your life." The dark
haired instructor sat on the desk. "Now this isn't high school and you
certainly aren't a group of choir girls. I expect most if not all of
you are no longer virgins. Put your hand down, Jones, I'm not asking if
you are or aren't. Now, tell me what you think sexual responsibility
means. Waters."
Oh sure, pick on me. "It means being responsible about sex,
Ma'am."
"Give me an example, Jones."
"Using a condom," Latisha said.
Carey slapped her hand on the desk and stood up. "A condom is the
single most effective way to prevent both pregnancy and sexually
transmitted diseases. Bowen, give me another example of being
responsible about sex."
Jan smirked. "Making sure your parents aren't coming home soon, Ma'am."
Carey gave her a mirthless smile that Grace recognized instantly.
"Bowen, do you think this is funny?" the instructor asked as she slowly
made her way over to the teen's desk.
"No Ma'am," Bowen answered.
"Well then why don't you take a minute and think of a better answer?
And while you're at it, you can drop and give me ten." Brown eyes
turned and landed on Grace. "Waters, since you think you gave such a
brilliant answer, why don't you give us another one while we're waiting
for Bowen?"
Damn it Jan, don't piss her off, Grace thought to herself, then
quickly came up with an answer. "Not going someplace alone with someone
you don't know, Ma'am."
"Good answer," Carey said. "Why?"
Great. Why didn't you move on to someone else? "Because
something might happen that you don't want to happen, Ma'am."
"Now Bowen, see if you can condense Waters' long winded answer into one
word," Carey said. "What can happen?"
"Rape, Ma'am."
"Nothing funny about that is there, Bowen?"
"No Ma'am."
"Rape is the number one violent crime committed against women," Carey
said. "You will be taking self defense class while you're here but it
is always best to avoid a situation rather than having to fight your way
out of one."
Oh spare us the lectures, Grace thought, slumping in her seat and
resting her chin on her hand.
"Waters, when you're in my classroom you will sit up in your seat like a
young lady," Carey said. "Now drop for ten. Hathaway, give another
example of sexual responsibility."
While Mo, the youngest of the squad, gave her answer Grace lowered
herself to the floor and began her pushups. You witch. You
miserable rotten bully bitch from hell. Drop for ten. Drop for
twenty. Why don't you drop for a while and see how it feels? She
continued to mentally curse out the instructor, forgetting to count at
the same time.
"Waters!"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Are you feeling guilty?"
Grace paused, arms fully extended, and looked questioningly at her.
"Ma'am?"
"You've done twenty seven pushups, Waters. I hate to tell you but you
can't bank them for credit later. Take your seat."
Ah damn. "Yes Ma'am."
******
"Just your luck you have mentoring with me right after SR," Carey said.
"Sit down." The instructor tossed her cap on the hat rack and settled
behind the desk. "I said sit," she repeated. Grace rolled her eyes,
then flopped into the chair. Carey jumped out of her seat. "Stand up!
That is the last time you pull a stunt like that, do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Yes what?"
The eyes rolled again. "Yes Instructor Carey."
"You think people don't notice that little commentary you make with your
eyes?" Carey said, sitting on the edge of the desk so she was eye level
with Grace. "Every time I see those eyes roll you owe me twenty
pushups." She walked behind the desk. "Now, sit down like a civilized
young woman should." Grace sat down and watched as Carey opened a
folder. "Quite a distinguished record for seventeen," she said, lifting
the top page to see the continued list of offenses. "Vandalism,
assaulting a teacher, assaulting other students, possession of
marijuana, expelled from school." Carey closed the folder and looked at
her. "You're on the fast track to the State Correctional Facility for
Women." she said, tapping the folder.
Grace shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever."
Carey rose from her seat. "DROP AND GIVE ME TWENTY!" Grace moved fast,
hitting the floor as the instructor continued to yell at her. "Let's
refresh your memory. You WILL answer and address me as Instructor Carey
or Ma'am." She knelt down next to Grace. "Do you understand this
time?"
"Yes Ma'am," Grace huffed as she pushed up.
"You will only speak when a question is asked or if you have
permission. Understand?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Whether you like it or not, you will learn to respect authority," Carey
said. "And for the next five months, each and every day, I AM THE
AUTHORITY! If I tell you to do something, you do it with no questions
and no lip. Do you understand?"
"Yes…Ma'am," Grace said, her arms screaming from the exertion.
"Your mouth shouldn't make promises your body can't deliver, Waters.
Let's go, seven more." Carey returned to her seat and opened the folder
again. "Interesting transcript from your high school. Seems like you
went from an angel to the devil reincarnated in just one year. You
threw a chair at a teacher?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Why?"
"It…just happened, Ma'am."
"Committing an act of violence against a teacher isn't something that
just happens," Carey said. "I'll ask one more time. Why?"
"He pissed me off, Ma'am," Grace said as she finished the final pushup.
"Now sit. I piss you off too, don't I?"
Grace hesitated, then answered. "Yes Ma'am."
"Did you know Mr. Henderson sent a letter with your records?"
"No Ma'am."
Carey pulled out the handwritten note. "It seems he actually thinks
very highly of you. At least he did when he had you for Earth Science
during your freshman year. Says here that he thinks you're bright but
you just don't apply yourself. In fact, he says he was telling you just
that when you decided to throw the chair at him." She tossed the note
back in the folder. "Nice way to treat someone who's trying to help
you. You have anything to say about that?"
Grace stared at the faceted glass egg. "I don't care, Ma'am."
"Well I have five months to make you care, Waters," Carey said. "And if
I have to be a boil on your ass to make you care, I will. Trust me."
******
Grace walked down the hall of the administration building, running into
Latisha just outside of Instructor Gage's classroom. "Hey."
"Hey girlfriend. Where were you?"
Leaning against the wall, Grace turned her head and glared in the
direction of Carey's office. "I had my mentoring session with Queen
Bitch."
"Ooh, too bad," Latisha said. "I have Mitchell for mentoring. She's
pretty cool."
"Lucky you," Grace said, pushing off the wall as others arrived for
class. "Come on, we'd better not be late. I don't need Gage on my ass
too."
"Take a seat," Instructor Gage said. "This is Personal Finance. If you
think this will be an easy class, you are sadly mistaken. You will
learn about managing your income and expenses, how to plan for the
future, financing and credit, and investing." Gage paced back and forth
in front of the class. "Abusing credit is the easiest way to get
yourself in trouble. Letting someone else use your credit is another.
If someone asks you to put a bill in your name, get a cel phone for
them, charge something on your credit with a promise to pay it back
later, you run as fast as you can. Waters, how long does a negative
mark stay on your credit report?"
"I don't know, Ma'am."
"Seven years," Gage said. "Think about how long that is. Most of you
were under the age of ten seven years ago. Can you imagine paying now
for something that happened when you were ten? That's what a negative
mark on your credit report is. Bankruptcy stays for ten. As juvenile
offenders, your records are wiped clean at age eighteen. You get a
fresh start, a new life. When you are irresponsible with your money and
credit, there is no magic way to wipe the slate clean. Jones, if a bank
approves you for a credit card, would you take it?"
"Yes Ma'am," Latisha said.
"You would." Gage turned and walked back to her desk. "I'm going to
ask that question again in a week. We'll see if your answer changes."
******
"You have a class now?" Grace asked as they left the classroom.
"No, you?"
"No."
"Going to study hall?"
"It's either there or back to the barracks," Grace said. "Any idea
who's in charge of that?"
Bowen brushed up against her. "No one," she said. "No one knows if
we're there, no one knows if we're not."
"No way," Grace said. "They must have hidden cameras or something.
There's no way they trust us to just go in there and study."
Bowen looked stricken. "You think?"
"I don't know," Latisha said. "But I'm not gonna take the chance."
"I'm with you," Grace said as they started walking down the hallway.
"Carey's on my ass enough."
"She sure is," Jan said. "Guess you shouldn't have spit at that fat
guard on the bus. Got you pegged from the start that way."
"It wouldn't have mattered," Grace said. "That bitch has it in for
me." She touched her shorn locks. "Look what she did to my hair."
"I heard that short girl Sally Dawson had to be treated for lice,"
Latisha said.
"Damn, I'm glad her bunk is down at the other end of the barracks," Jan
said.
"Really," Grace said. "She can keep her bugs to herself."
When they arrived at the classroom reserved for study hall, several
other girls were already there. "Okay Jan, what's your problem with
math?" Grace asked as they claimed a table for themselves.
"Percentages and fractions suck," Jan said.
"Yeah, like your mother," one of the girls standing near the
teacher's desk said.
"Fuck you, Grenner."
"Naw, I wouldn't wanna take that job from your daddy,"
Grenner said.
Jan jumped from her seat, shoving the larger girl against
the desk. "You got a problem?"
"At least I know what a fraction is, stupid," Grenner said,
looking to make sure her friends were standing behind her.
"Come on," Latisha said. "Let's go back to the barracks and
study there."
"Stay out of it, vine head," Grenner said. "You too,
Blondie."
"You got a fucking problem?" Grace asked, moving to join
Jan.
"I don't know where you little prissies came from but if you
want to stay in one piece, don't screw with me."
The door, which had been ajar, flew open, the doorway filled
with the large blonde instructor. "Well, if it isn't a group of little
girls trying to play king of the mountain." Instructor Donaldson
entered the room and stood between the two groups of girls. "Let me
make it easy for you," she said, her eyes darting from girl to girl.
"At Sapling Hill, there are four kings of the mountain and we all have
the word Instructor before our names, got it?"
"Yes Ma'am," several girls said.
"What's that? Waters, I didn't see your lips move."
Grace rolled her eyes. "Yes Instructor Donaldson, Ma'am."
"You just don't know when to shut that smart mouth of yours
up, do you? Waters, drop and give me ten pushups. Bowen, Jones, go sit
down. Grenner, Dawson, find something to do before I find it for you."
"Yes Ma'am," Grenner said, giving Grace and Jan the evil eye
before scooping up her books and moving to the far table. Everyone in
the room knew it was not the end of the situation. The only question
was when and where the next battle would be.
******
"All right, ladies, let's get lined up around the mat,"
Carey said as she moved to the center of the blue padding. "I'm here to
teach you how to defend yourself against an attack. By the end of this
series, you'll know exactly what to do to get away from an attacker.
Now since you get five minutes at each end of class to change, we're
going to get right to business." She shook out her arms, then looked at
Grace. "Waters, front and center."
"Yes Ma'am." I'm dead. Grace stepped into the
middle, stopping two feet away from the taller woman. Carey walked
behind her, then turned Grace to face the others. "When you attack your
opponent, it's important to know if it's a man or a woman. On a man,
there are four key areas; eyes, throat, groin and knees. On a woman,
it's eyes, throat and knees. Insteps are also a good point of
vulnerability, especially if you're being held from behind." A strong
forearm wrapped around Grace's throat. "Waters, I'm a mugger. Give me
your purse and you won't get hurt. What do you do?" Reaching up, Grace
grabbed the muscular arm and did her best to dislodge it, her efforts
completely ineffectual. "Now if I had a weapon, you'd be very unhappy
by now," Carey said. "The first thing you do is try and avoid the
situation. If that's not possible, decide what's more important, a few
dollars or your life. If they want the money, give them the money. Now
Waters, I'm a mugger. Give me your purse and you won't get hurt. What
do you do?"
"Give you my purse, Ma'am," Grace said, wishing the
instructor would let go of her and pick on someone else.
"Now I'm not a mugger but a rapist. I don't care about
money. What do you do?"
"I try to get away, Ma'am," Grace said, the arm around her
neck tightening and her body pressed against the solid woman behind her.
"Think you can get away from me?"
"No Ma'am," Grace said, feeling the pressure ease, then the
instructor pull away from her.
"Sit down, Waters. When you are faced with a situation
where you are in danger, the ultimate goal is to survive," Carey said.
"If the opportunity is there to escape, by all means do it but if it
isn't or a weapon is involved, your life comes first."
"So we should just lie there and get raped?" Jan asked.
"That's a choice only you can make," Carey said. "But if
the choice comes down to being raped or being killed, I choose life.
Now knowing some self defense moves can help."
"So's carrying Mace," Grace said in a low voice.
"What was that, Waters?"
Shit. "I was just saying that Mace is good for
defense, Ma'am."
"You think so?" Carey smiled knowingly. "Waters, stand
up."
Damn. Grace stood up and moved to the center of the
mat while the instructor walked over to a supply locker and opened it,
removing a small canister. Great, what's she gonna do? Mace me?
"Any weapon, whether it's Mace, a gun or anything
in-between, can be turned against you." She tossed the canister to
Grace. "It's empty," she said. "But it will work for our purposes.
Waters, now you have a can of Mace. What are you going to do?"
Why me? "I would spray it in the attacker's face,
Ma'am."
"And what if it's windy? Or the attacker is right on top of
you? Mace won't work then."
"I'll spray him before he gets too close, Ma'am," Grace
said.
"All right, we'll see," Carey said. "Waters, I'm a mugger."
Grace gripped the canister, ready to spin and aim it at the
older woman's face but when she raised her arm, it was caught in a firm
grip and the teen found herself flat on her back. "Ooof."
"Now I have a weapon to use against you," Carey said,
holding up the canister that had fallen out of Grace's hand upon impact
with the mat. "And now Mr. Mugger is mad. Still think Mace is the
answer, Waters?"
"No Ma'am," she said, looking up at the imposing woman.
"Get the idea, Waters?"
"Yes Ma'am."
Instructor Carey stood up and addressed the class. "A
weapon is only good if you are the one in control. Why bring something
into the situation that could be used against you? Waters, go sit
down."
That's it, I'm not saying another word unless Queen Bitch
calls on me.
******
"Any idea what kind of meat this is?" Grace asked, pointing
at the oval patty.
"Mystery meat," Jan said, stabbing hers with her fork.
"Processed, formed, nutritionally sound, tasteless mystery meat."
"Wonderful," Grace said, glancing around to make sure
Instructor Carey was out of earshot. "It'll go good with the instant
potato flakes and lima beans."
"I think they have someone who knows what kind of food we
like and makes sure they never serve them," Latisha said, adding a
copious amount of salt to her food. "We can't even get salsa around
here."
"I'd kill for a taco day," Grace said, sniffing the
unidentifiable meat before taking a bite. "Or ice cream."
"How about soda?" Jan added. "I'm getting tired of milk,
juice and their excuse for coffee."
"Really," Grace said, burying the piece of meat in her
mashed potatoes. "Someone should tell those idiots in the kitchen not
to use the dishwater to make coffee." Seeing activity at the table
where Alpha Squad was sitting, she nudged Jan with her elbow. "What's
going on?"
"I don't know but there's Scary," Jan said.
"Uh oh," Latisha said. "She looks pissed."
"At least it's not at us this time," Grace said. "Look,
she's talking to Grenner."
"More like she's yelling at Grenner," Jan said. "Yup, there
she goes. Ten or twenty?"
"I know that look," Grace said. "Twenty." She winced when
she saw Instructor Carey kneel down to continue her tirade as Grenner
did pushups. "She is really pissed."
"Word," Latisha said. "Ooh, Scary's turning red."
"Do you girls have nothing better to do?" Instructor Gage
asked. The teens quickly turned in their seats and looked down at their
trays. "That's what I thought."
Grace waited until Gage was out of range. "Damn," she
said. "We always get caught."
"At least it wasn't for whatever Grenner did," Jan said.
"Look, she's still yelling at her."
"Hey Grace," Campbell said. "I didn't think it was possible
for someone to piss off Carey more than you do."
Grace gave a false smile and scratched her cheek with her
middle finger. "I've seen her drop you a few times."
"Yeah but you hold the record so far."
"I want to know what she did so I don't do it," Jan said.
"Look, she's finished."
"Doing pushups," Grace said. "Queen Bitch is still yelling
at her." She took a bite of her sandwich, watching the dark haired
instructor finish her tirade. I'm glad that's not me, she thought,
her sore arms aching in agreement.
******
Grace groaned and sat up, the light coming through from the
sodium lamp outside providing little illumination.
"Psst, you up?" Latisha whispered.
"We're all up," Mo said from the bunk on the other side of
Grace. "How can you sleep through all that?" Loud snoring was heard
from the other end of the barracks. "Sounds like a damn bulldozer."
"I'm up, Latisha," Grace said, pushing off the blanket.
"Every time I start to fall asleep, Godzilla over there starts up
again."
"Esa muchacha le van a poner una almohada sobre la cara si no para."
"Lopez,
you know we don't speak Spanish," Grace said.
"I say that girl is going to get a pillow over her face if
she doesn't stop," Maribel Lopez said, moving from her bunk to flop
across Grace's.
"I'll help," Bowen said, joining the crowd and sitting on
the edge of Latisha's bunk. "I woke her up twice to tell her to knock
it off."
"Which one is it?" Grace asked, propping her pillow against
the wall to use as a backrest.
"Campbell," Bowen said. "Grenner's not too far behind
either."
"Be quiet," a voice in the darkness hissed. "Some people
are trying to sleep."
"How is it you can sleep through Campbell's snoring but our
talking is too much?" Bowen returned. "Shut up and roll over, Rosetti."
"Dammit, there's no way I can handle tomorrow with no
sleep," Grace grumbled. "Campbell! Shut the hell up!"
"Wha-what?" Campbell said, her voice thick with sleep.
"You're snoring is enough to wake the fucking dead," Jan
said.
"Shut up, Bowen."
"Piss up a rope, Rosetti."
Grace slammed her head into the pillow and rolled her eyes
as the bickering continued. "We're never going to get any sleep." The
springs squeaked as Jan joined Mo and her on the bunk.
"I snuck a deck of cards back from the rec room," Jan said.
"And just how are we supposed to see them?" Mo asked. "It's
not like we can turn on a light."
"Word," Latisha said. "Viking or Short Shit would be on us
faster than ugly on Dawson."
"You'd better have those cards back before they do
inspection tomorrow," Grace said. "Queen Bitch will drop your ass."
"You mean Scary?" Jan snorted. "I've handled worse than her. A few
pushups isn't gonna make me change and be a choir girl."
Continued in Part Two |