Page 24 of Operation: Chosen

Eric shifted his weight. After being on the floor in Ali’s cabin, his back wasn’t happy about standing so long, making him a little cranky. “Sounds like they will happily leave all of you behind. Don’t you see that there is nothing good about that? You’re looking to voluntarily join the kind of relationship we usually help people get out of. It’s mentally abusive. It’s basically slavery.”

Big E shot to his feet. “Don’t you talk to me about slavery. You know nothing. Your white privilege is showing.”

Brendon held out his hands and lowered them for Big E to take his seat. “We’re listening, but we are also here to provide safety and a place for you three to experience things other boys in your situation don’t. This isyourprivilege. Use it. Take it. You want it, enjoy it. We are giving it to you. Think about all the young men back in California who were with you in the detention center. Think about the differences between there and here.”

Terrell glanced back at Eric, then quickly away. Eric could feel the pull on Terrell’s spirit to take what was offered, but there was fear there too. What if the other two saw him as different and they attacked him? What if the gang members who had come made it back to the ranch and he was killed just for wanting more than they could offer?

“I know that stepping out of your comfort zone and learning some of these life skills will seem difficult, but I think all of you are capable. In fact, I know you are.” Eric spoke to Terrell, but the message was for all of the boys if they chose to take it.

Jayzon bent his head and stared at his feet for a moment. “Mom doesn’t want me in. If she knew I was in, it would break her heart. My oldest brother was killed by a rival about three years ago. I need to avenge him.” His voice filled with emotion as he spoke. “My brother Damion started it, but he can’t finish alone. I won’t leave him to clean up the mess. Mom won’t bury two sons.”

Connor’s mouth flattened, and he sighed. “No, she might have to bury three if you don’t start the change. Be what she needs you to be. She needs you to go against the tide, to fight your circumstances. She needs you to be the strength against the neighborhood that expects this from their men.”

Big E slowly shook his head. “You don’t understand, man. You just can’t. You grew up thinking about what college you were going to go to or what job you might want to have. We start out that way, and school teachers try to convince us that if we just work hard enough we can have whatever we want. But the truth is, we can’t. All three of us have applied for jobs and been turned away. Jayzon applied for a job at the same gas station we robbed. It was one of the reasons we chose it.”

Jayzon scowled. “I was told they’d hired someone else who was more qualified. To work in a gas station.” He rolled his eyes. “They probably just thought I was going to steal stuff.”

“But you proved them right,” Sam pointed out. “When you didn’t get the job, you stole from them.”

Jayzon glared at him. “I was getting back at them.”

“And what is your excuse?” Sam looked directly at Big E. “Why were you there?”

“Jayzon is like a brother. I won’t let him down.”

Terrell hung his head. “I didn’t realize what was going to happen. I was just hanging out with Jayzon. We were all going to the gas station to grab some sodas. I was ready to pay for mine when Big E shoved it into my coat. If I would’ve taken it back out, the clerk would’ve seen me do it. It wasn’t until after that Jayzon told me it was a small part of a gang initiation and I passed. I didn’t want this, but I’m in too deep now.”

Connor laid his hand flat on top of his desk and looked straight at Terrell. “You’re not. It isn’t too late. This is why you’re here. The men in charge of the detention center you were in decided there was still hope for all three of you. Let’s stop working against each other and start working together. None of you has to die. None of you has to join a gang. Help us to help you.”

Big E stood, and Eric realized the boy was very near his own height. He would be a tall man if he made it to adulthood.

“I’m not in. This is the only way to see success in my world. If I want money and women and fame, then this is my path. You decide you don’t want that anymore, it’s your funeral.” He strode past Eric and out of the room.

Jayzon watched his friend leave and glanced at Terrell. If Eric had to guess, Jayzon wasn’t as close to Terrell as he was to Big E and staying in that seat was taking every ounce of willpower the boy had.

“We have the ability to protect you,” Eric said.

“Until they decide we can’t stay here anymore,” Jayzon finished. “Then what? Are you going to just let us stay here the rest of our lives? I know better. There’s a mark on our heads. If I don’t fight back, I’ll be just like my brother. Terrell might think they sent the people they did to take all of us out, but I think they wanted confirmation that we weren’t selling out. At least, some of us.” He stood and gave Terrell a glare. “Some of us will die quicker than others.” He followed Big E out of the room.

Terrell’s shoulders looked heavy, his face drawn and even a little pale. “I don’t want to go down that path anymore. Now I don’t even want go back to my room.”

“We’ll move you,” Eric said without hesitation. If Connor disagreed, they could discuss it later. “You can stay with me, and if you want to lock your bedroom door, then you can. Your safety is promised.”

Terrell turned to look Eric in the eye. “I’ll hold you to that.”

* * *

Gabby satin the dining room right where Ali had hoped she’d find her. Gabby was fairly elusive on the ranch since she worked in Piper’s Ridge every weekday as a counselor. Today she sat at a table alone, drinking a cup of coffee.

“May I join you?” Ali hoped she wasn’t interrupting her work, but she wanted to talk to someone who might know Eric a little better—someone who wasn’t Lacy, since she didn’t seem to connect well with Lacy.

“Of course. If you want a cup of coffee, Victoria would be happy to make one for you.” Gabby smiled as she tipped her head toward the open kitchen.

“I’m good for now, thanks.” Ali pulled out the chair across from Gabby and sat down.

“I was hoping to come talk to you later today, so I’m glad you found me. Are you settling in well?”

Ali always fought the urge to tell the truth when asked questions like that. People didn’t really want to know that she was struggling to sleep in the cabin that felt too closed in. They didn’t want to know that she went for walks in the middle of the night to clear her head.

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