Can We Teach Them? (Sequel to Can You Teach Me?)

Chapter 5 Situated

Chapter 5 Situated

June 12

"Everything is situated in your locker and in your dresser. Although this place is the size of a fucking shoebox.  Your toiletries and girly shit are in the cabinet under the sink.  I left the cabinet above the toilet for us fuckers to use when we stay our week.  Fresh towels and bed linens are in your foot locker. But whoever used it last had some serious smelly ass foot fungus or something.  I put a potpourri bag in there to combat the smell.  Anything else I forgot to tell you?"  Gabriel fret about like a mother hen letting their chick leave the coop for the first time.  I could see he was having a hard time walking away.

"If you run out of anything or need anything, just text us.  The next in line to spend the week with you will bring it with them, no questions asked."  Victor assured in a calm, reserved tone as he stroke his thumb over my hand.

"Text us everyday... or at least every other day, you know, however often you feel the need."  Nathan shrugged his shoulders while his cheeks grew pink, as if realizing every day might be a little excessive. 

"I've fumigated the whole damn place.  The perimeter, the bed, the shit house... everything."  North wiped his brow of the sweat accumulating.

"Were there lots of bugs or something, North?"  I asked as my eyes dart about to the four corners of the cabin.

"I didn't want to chance it that the last people to stay here might have had galloping dandruff."  Without thinking, my hand went up to my head and I began scratching.  If galloping dandruff is what it sounds like, I don't want any part of it.  I shudder at the thought.

"I've given the medical staff your pertinent information and my contact number in case of a medical emergency."  Sean stated as he came in through the door.  He paused, looking at me with concern.  "Should I even ask?" 

I dropped my hand to my side and explain, "North was just informing me about fumigating and galloping dandruff."

"Ah, crab lice.  Those incessant little buggers."  Sean confirmed my worst imagination, nodding in contemplative thought.  I grabbed my hair, twisted it tight and wound it around to make a bun.  I am NOT getting crab lice.  I don't care what Meanie says about leaving my hair down.

Luke gave me a tight hug and whispered in my ear, "Inside your foot locker, under the towels is a stash of candy, just in case you need some."  He kissed my cheek and winked conspiratorially.  "Silas is a lucky bastard to get the first week with you."

Silas piped in, "Lucky?  I thought it was my birthday present from you lot!"

Kota interrupted the bantering, slung his arm over my shoulder and began walking towards the door.  Everyone shuffled along behind us.  "I believe we have sorted everything out for you, Sweetie.  Each week you will work on a specific area of training.  Sometimes physical, sometimes mental and other times technical.  Do your best and don't get frustrated.  Remember that everyone has strengths and weaknesses.  No one is perfect at everything they do."  I nodded and gave him a small smile.

"Any questions, Miss Sorensen, soon to be Mrs. Ours?"  The corner of Owen's mouth twitched and I noticed a twinkle in his eye as he spoke of me being theirs. 

"Nothing I can think of at this time.  But I will be sure to text you if I do have questions."  I put on my best happy smile, telling all my men I loved them and I would see them all soon.

After another round of hugs and kisses, with Gabriel being at the front of the line and then he got back in line at the end for round two, I shooed them all away.  I am never going to get this Boot Camp training over with if I can't even get started.

"It will be alright, Aggele.  The time will fly by in a flash."  Silas pulled him into his chest, hugging me tightly and kissing the top of my head.  "They always say, time flies when you are having fun.  So let's go have some fun!"

Silas pulled me along to the mess hall/rec room.  Inside was a pool tables, an air hockey table, a ping pong table, and a couple of empty tables to play card game or board games.  Along the back wall of the room was a huge 70" TV with shelves full of movies, books and games.  Silas explained, "each evening there is an hour of free time after dinner.  This room is a place to relax and make friendships with other Academy members and the Rainbows joining you."

"Rainbows?"  My eyebrows lifted and a giggle escaped.

"Yes.  A Rainbow is a new recruit.  There will be all kinds of military terminology used here.  Just imagine how I felt.  I came here from another country and English was not my first language.  Then the leaders of the camp kept using all kinds of military terms and I was all kinds of confused."

"Was there a term that seemed especially funny to you?"

Silas boomed with laughter before he even told me.  I laughed right along with him, anticipating what was so funny.  "One afternoon for lunch I was told that we would be eating turkey with a side of salad and shit on a shingle."  I screwed my face up in disgust.  Silas chuckled and waved his hand in the air to dispel my thoughts.  "It just means a piece of toast with gravy on it."  Still, now when I look at gravy I am going to see it as runny poop.  Thanks for the visual, Silas.

Silas and I played pool until they kicked us out for the night.  We joined everyone in the mess hall for the daily debriefing.  It reminded me of a school assembly, except here, they post your report card for all to see up on the projector. 

I squirmed in my seat and Silas asked me with his eyes if I was okay.  I nodded and mouthed, 'later'.  About ten minutes later, we were dismissed to our evening training.  Since I was the noob in camp, Silas gave me a tour of the compound.  There is a gun range, an obstacle ropes course, a lake, the biggest gym I have ever seen, and a tall office type building where the mental and technical trainings take place. 

When we got back to our cabin just before 10pm, I saw the schedule posted on the wall next to the door.

7am:  breakfast
8am-9am:  morning calisthenics
9am-12noon:  morning training
12noon-1pm:  lunch
1pm-4pm:  afternoon training
4pm-5pm:  detail
5pm-6pm:  dinner
6pm-7pm:  free time
7pm-10pm:  daily debrief/night training
10pm-11pm:  nightly rituals
11pm:  lights out

"Superman, what does detail mean?"

"Essentially, detail means chores.  We will be given an assignment or duty to fulfill.  It could be cleaning the camp kitchen or it could be sorting out equipment that was used that day or for the next day, or it could mean collecting the garbage.  Anything they ask of us really."

I took a deep breath and nodded.  I can do this.  I can do this.  I can do this.  As long as I keep thinking it, just like the little engine that could, I will be able to achieve my goal and can officially be a part of my guys' team.  I pumped my right arm in the air like I am pulling the whistle on a train.  Toot, toot.  All aboard the Sang Express.  Destination, Academy Blackbourne team.  First stop, the bathroom.  I chugged my arms back and forth as I mentally heard, 'chugga-chugga-chugga-chugga'.

"Aggele", Silas chuckled, "what are you doing?"

I stopped just inside the bathroom door, "I'm the little engine that could."  I shut the door to his rumbles of laughter.  Hey, as long as I can keep smiling, I can endure anything that gets thrown at me.  Because no matter what happens over the next ten weeks, I know that I have survived worse.