"Ready to go?" Street asked startling Rubio who was deep into his thoughts
Rubio cleared his throat, downed the last sips of water and got up to throw the bottle to the trash.
"Everything ok here? Anybody came by?" Street asked curiously
Rubio shrugged, and smiled. "Everything good pops."
"Alright, then. Let's go!" he gestured to the door
They reached the highway, as Street knew the way by heart.They drove in silence for about 20 minutes, both males deep into their thoughts.
"So." Jim said as he took a glance at Rubio, who had his earpods on
He playfully slapped the kid in the shoulder and gestured to remove the small ear pieces.
"You wanna talk, pops?" Rubio asked, already knowing the answer
"Yup. Is that ok with you?"
"Yeah." Rubio said nodding, s he placed the small ear pieces in his pants pocket
"Good, coz we were still gonna talk!" he said as the teen shook his head and grinned. "Listen." he paused as he took a curve. "Chris and I, we talked. I didn't wanna bring this subject again coz I wanted to clear some things with her. Both of us, we got really really scared with what happened because we didn't know what to do. We really care about you, Rubio. Both of us feel like you're our true motivation to do everything we do every day. I'm doing overtime like crazy and well, you know what she's doing, right?"
Rubio nodded, quietly. Street took a glance at him and continued.
"Truth is your mom got in trouble with her boss because, well, she went against his rules and then got into a verbal altercation in front of the board."
"What happened?"
Street took a deep breath. "Some times, as a woman, she will face much much harsher conditions and judgement than us guys. Higher authorities want to be seen and thought of as tough and strong, and well...many believe women do not reflect that."
"That's sexist, pop!" RUbio said annoyed
"I'm not saying I agree, Rubio. But...it is what it is!"
"So, ma will never be captain coz she's a girl?"
"She could get the title and rank, yeah, but...leading? That's different."
"Why? Coz she's a female, she can't lead an army? You ever have a girl boss, pops?"
"Yeah, I did. My first years in SWAT, the captain was a really strong lady. But...I don't know, buddy. Your mom's up against a whole system." he lamented
"But it's the same as SWAT. She was the only one, but she made it."
"Yeah, but after a long long difficult journey."
"So, she can't do it again?'
"She's giving it her all, Rubio. You know she is, but...she doesn't want you to feel like she let you down if she doesn't get the spot. The pressure that she's in is a lot and it's taking a toll of her."
"She feel bad?"
"Some nights, she doesn't sleep. She cramps up booklet, about booklet, after manual, after book, after book...until she gets a headache and goes to sleep medicated. The psychological evaluations of her are not good either because they're bringing out stuff from her past that still aches."
"That sucks pops."
"I know. But...nothing really mattered the other night. She's left the program twice, once for me and once for you, coz nothing else matters to her. When the hospital called and her bosses downtown took time to sign her petition for release, she just took an Uber. To be honest, Rubio, I don't feel comfortable with that."
YOU ARE READING
Unexpected 8: Stand Proud
FanfictionStory #8 An attack has the force divided between ranks as Chris must make a decision that could cost her everything she's worked so hard to achieve, professionally and personally. SWAT witnesses as one of their own grows and takes charge, against al...
