Secrets of the Past

Chapter Twelve - Big Brother

Anthony and David had been spending about every day together for the past two months. David was enjoying the big brother role and he felt that Anthony was perhaps finally turning around and really wanting to change his life for the better. On this particular day, Tony was gone with Julia to the doctor for the baby's seventh-month ultrasound so David got permission from the Chief to have Anthony tag along with him for the day as his sidekick.

"I got to do this a couple of times with my dad." "Really? Did you enjoy being a cop for a day?" 

"Yeah, it was fun...so question."

 "Answer." 

Anthony grinned, "What made you decided to become a police officer?" 

"Well...a lot of different things. The biggest being my brother."

Over the CB the dispatch operator said, "Squad car three eighteen requesting immediate surveillance in the district of twenty-one Eastman street. Reports of disruption and outburst of violence on the streets. Possible firearms at the scene, proceed with caution." David picked up the receiver, "Roger that, this is squad car three eighteen. ETA twelve minutes."

Anthony asked, "What is 'ETA'?"

"Estimated time of arrival."

Once arriving on the scene David quickly evaluated the situation. There were about three guys making a punching bag out of one little homeless man. David told Anthony to stay close to the squad car until he got the situation under control. Anthony nodded. As David approached one of the three men glanced at him and said, "Buss off fuzz! Unless you want the same dose of medicine." 

David shook his head, "No, I don't think I'm going to do that."

At this point, the men stopped pulverizing the defenseless guy and turned towards David. The leader of the group froze when he saw David; he locked his dark, cold eyes into David's as he stared deep into his soul. David stood there in disgust as he stared into the daunting eyes of the harsh past he had once chosen. "Well if it isn't the Rookie. You still hiding behind that big brother of yours?"

David shook his head, "No, Ace...and actually its David." 

"I see ya finally got a badge." 

David glanced at the shiny medal that laid on the left corner of his chest and nodded. "Yeah. You haven't changed much. Still, up to no good I see."

Anthony was very confused watching this merry-go-round between David and this apparent thug. How do they know each other and why is David being so calm? As he watched and listened to one of the other two men lunged at David from behind with what Anthony thought was a knife. Anthony yelled, "David, look out!"

David turned just as the man tried to pierce the weapon into David's flesh. David grabbed his wrist and twisted him around as he placed his forearm across the front of the man's throat and using his other hand, he grasped his own wrist and pulled back applying pressure to the man's neck with his forearm. Thus, completing the bar arm hold.

Another charged at David trying to help his friend escape the officers hold. David kicked him back as he let the one he choked out,fall to the ground. Ace threw a punch at David and he delivered a roundhouse kick sending Ace flying backward.

Anthony stepped in and handcuffed the one passed out as David handcuffed the others and placed them under arrest. He asked Anthony to call an ambulance for the severely beaten man as he read them their rights.

After the three were safely locked away, David offered to buy Anthony some lunch; so, they went to a quaint little diner on the corner of the street just down from the Police Station. As they waited on their order to be filled, Anthony casually asked, "So...I'm guessing that you've had a run-in with that creep before?" David nonchalantly nodded in response. Anthony then breaking the silence said, "Well okay! That is quite a story...thanks for sharing."

David chuckled, "Look do you remember when you were asking me why I became a cop?"

Anthony nodded, "Uh-huh."

"Well, I wasn't always the way that I am."

"What do you mean?"

"I used to be in a gang myself."

Anthony's eyes grew wide, "What?! You? Really? Wow...that is definitely not what I was expecting."

David nodded, "Well I didn't tell you because I'm not proud of it. Nothing that I did was something to be proud of. I mean I robbed and I lied...I even dealt drugs. I was just like the man on the street today. In fact, I was just like you."

Anthony was stunned, "I..I don't know what to say. I can't believe that you did that. You just seem like you have it all together."

"I didn't use to. My life is great...now. But I was probably in even deeper than you, Anthony."

"Why?"

David shook his head, "I was young and stupid. I thought that was the only thing I could ever be good at. The only thing that made me feel accepted. I felt like my brother was the one everyone expected to succeed. He was the one with a 4.0 GPA and had a full ride to the college of his choice. At the time, I felt like I needed acceptance. The feeling of belonging to something...and unfortunately, it found me on the streets."

Anthony sighed, "Yeah...I know the feeling. When dad died, well, when he got killed, I figured what's the use. No one really cares what happens to me now."

"That's not true, Anthony. I care...and your mother, and aunt, and your sister care." Anthony nodded as David continued, "It was someone caring that got me straightened out."

"What do you mean?"

David pulled out his wallet and removed a picture. He slid it over to Anthony. "That guy cared enough to come straighten me out."

"Who is he?"

David grinned, "He's my brother."

"Your brother? Jonathan?"

David nodded, "Yes. Remember when I told you that at one time we used to hate each other's guts?"

"Yeah."

"Well that was when we did. Jay was getting ready to leave for the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia when he found out about what I was doing. He postponed his trip and came back."

"What happened?"

"We fought.... a lot and not just yelling at each other. Looking back at it now I don't know how we didn't end up in the hospital. If it wasn't for him simply loving me I would probably be on the other side of the law in prison...or dead. He saved my life in more ways than one. He loved me enough to show me that there is so much more to life than simply existing from day today. That I could be anything I wanted, as long as I truly wanted it." Anthony nodded.

"So, with a great deal of patience and love, Jonathan managed to knock some sense into me and I turned my life around. I graduated with honors and Jonathan became my best friend. He is a big reason that I decided to become a cop. That and I want to help people. I want everyone to know that they have a choice. Just like I did. That's why I want to help you, Anthony. I don't want you to make the same mistakes that I did...you've got the brains and the ability to do anything."