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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

A Thin Blue Line - 1. Thin Blue Line

“You’re uncharacteristically quiet, CJ.” Detective Tom Kennedy sipped from the steaming mug in his hands and sighed. He looked haggard. There were dark circles under his eyes, evidence of too little sleep over the past week. “What’s on your mind?”

The younger man stood, leaving the comfortable recliner he’d been ensconced in since he’d returned home carrying three large pizzas and a box full of cupcakes. “I don’t know what’s on my mind, Uncle Tom,” the teen replied, walking towards the refrigerator in the back section of the basement. “I’m getting a Dr. Pepper. Anybody want anything?”

“Yeah, I’ll take a bottle of water,” his father said. Retired Marine Captain Brett Davenport sounded defeated. His son knew the events in Dallas had affected him as much as they had the policeman; he thought it had something to do with uniformed men being ambushed and murdered while they tried to do their job. Echoes of Afghanistan where Brett had served.

“Anyway, Uncle Tom, I’m sad. I’m angry. I’m disappointed. I’m frustrated. I’m so many things right now I can’t keep track of them.” CJ handed Papa Brett his water and, instead of returning to his previous seat, squeezed himself between his two fathers on the couch. “I’m sorry to no end five police officers lost their lives and I’m sad black people continue to be killed after traffic stops. I’m angry at assholes like the shooter in Texas who feel the need to lash out in response by killing innocent cops. And I’m angry at the Lieutenant Governor of Texas once again. He calls protestors hypocrites because they expect the cops to protect them? Who the fuck else are they supposed to turn to? Just because they disagree with the way some officers conduct themselves—”

“So you think the shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana the days before the demonstration in Dallas were the cause for it?” César slipped an arm around his son and pulled him in tighter to his body.

“Not really, dad. I think that fucker just needed an excuse. But the root cause has to be the mistrust between cops and black people. Until both sides relax―”

“That’s crap, CJ. I don’t mistrust black people. I don’t need to relax,” interrupted an emphatic Detective Kennedy. “At least I haven’t up ‘til now. And I tell you something else, neither I nor the men and women I work with are racist. We don’t go looking for black men to bust and throw in jail. Or shoot.”

“I never claimed you did,” protested the younger man, raising his voice for a moment before trying to settle down. “All the guys I’ve met from the DC Police Department have been great. You know I’m a big supporter. But you also know I had a nasty experience with a couple of boys in blue. If two bad ones arrested me and tried to frame me for something because they thought I was gay, that proves not every cop is clean.”

“But you are gay, mate. And from what I’ve heard you’ve been practicing a lot lately.” John Paul’s comment seemed to break the tension which appeared to be growing between his husband the cop, and the son of his best friends and next door neighbors.

“Funny Aussie. Ha, ha, ha.” CJ realized the man he also considered an uncle was trying to make a joke to relax them all. He appreciated the effort and tried to continue in a more rational sounding manner. “Look, I’m not saying every viral video showing a confrontation between a cop and a black man is proof of anything. Many only show us a few seconds and I know how things can be taken out of context. But I also know where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And that racism is alive and well in the United States. And by default in many a police department.”

“Do you agree with Giuliani’s comment about the Black Lives Matter movement being intrinsically racist?” César’s question made CJ look up at his dad, and think for a moment while framing his reply. The accountant’s logical mind always came up with questions and statements which challenged his son and made him speak carefully afterwards.

“I’ll give you my opinion,” Tom said. “Of course he’s right. Why is it those fuckers run out into the streets only when there’s a cop involved. Where the fuck are they every day of the year when black men are killing black men. Do black lives only matter when there’s a cop, preferably a white one, involved?”

“I think you’re wrong, Uncle Tom. I don’t think those marching in protests are being racist when they speak up about black people being gunned down so often. I know you don’t think gay pride parades are heterophobic. And this is the same. Because a minority group makes its presence known by parade or protests, doesn’t mean they’re demeaning members on the opposite side. Giuliani’s an idiot. What he said was wrong even if there was a hint of truth behind it. And right or wrong, it was the wrong moment to make the comment.” CJ paused and smiled, for the first time since the conversation with his dads and uncles had begun.

“Damn! I’m a poet and I didn’t know it.” his quip made them all laugh and helped ease the tension in the room a bit further.

“Can you say, let’s add fuel to the fire? The politicos are quick to place blame but slow to find real solutions. But I do agree the Black Lives protests are somewhat one-sided. Yes, there’s an issue involving race here but unless you deal with it in an even-handed way, you will fail.

“The Black Lives groups are focused on one narrow aspect of the problem. I wish it wasn’t so. I wish people would hit the streets every time a kid was murdered in the inner city. I wish someone would call out the thugs who terrorize their neighborhoods. And I wish they’d realize the majority of police officers are on their side.”

“Then why pick on cops?” asked JP. His eyes were moist and his voice trembled when he spoke. “Do you have any idea what I go through every day when Tommy straps his holster on and gets ready to go to work? I… We already lived through him being shot once. And now I have to worry not only about the criminals but about nut jobs who may decide there’s one too many big, white, cops around.”

César gave his son a squeeze, CJ sighed into the silence, and Tom took JP’s hand in his own, bringing it up to his lips for a kiss. All the dread they’d experienced after the cop had been shot seemed to envelop the men. The quiet extended, no one seemed willing to break it, until Brett cleared his throat.

“I think we’re trying to find easy answers for monumental problems,” said the military man in a quiet tone. “Here we’re again, just like a couple of weeks ago. In a position similar to the one we were in after the Orlando massacre. Grasping at straws, trying to wrap our minds around events we can’t understand. Wanting to comprehend, to find reasons behind the events on the news.

“There’s racism in this country just as there’s homophobia and it’s manifest in all sorts of people. There are badly run police departments in this country, although they’re hopefully being cleaned up. There are opportunists, politicians like Giuliani and the Donald who fan the flames of hatred, and madmen like the Johnson guy in Dallas who strike out in hatred. There are frustrated black mothers and fathers who fear for the safety of their children whenever they step out of their house. The fear of a stray bullet fired by a thug, compounded by the fear the men and women sworn to protect them from those thugs may go too far.

“Economics plays its part also. And that affects minority communities a hell of a lot more than the Irish in Boston or the Cubans in Miami. And yes, I know Cubans are technically a minority, but… Anyway, we’re not going to find the answers tonight over pizza and beer. I’m not sure there’s one answer. We can try to make things better for others, and we can support law enforcement personnel. But I’ll take a page from CJ’s book in his fight against bullying. A phrase he used during that first school event he did: We must all stand up. Stand up to racism. Stand up to economic inequalities. Stand up to abuse of power. But we must also stand up and support those who protect us. Those serving in the military and those serving in law enforcement. Those standing on the thin blue line between us, and those who wish to do us harm.”

C. A. Hazday
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments



Nahrung

I think that people are getting what I call, 'Charity Weary'.

 

We, in the USA, are almost by definition, caring and giving people. We WANT to help those in need, those who are victims, those down on their luck and in need of help. WE WANT TO HELP!

 

But, we are weary... I think that most sensible and rational Americans are weary and tired of being faced with a new crisis every day. And that's without even talking and thinking about what's going on in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Middle East in general.

 

I would love to come up with a way that could make a difference, but I can't.

 

I was an adolescent counselor for 20 years... My last years were spent as the Senior Counselor at an Adolescent Extended Care Half-Way house. Kids who come out of Primary Treatment (30 Days) have a 17% chance of remaining sober, happy and healthy a year later. We were proud that our statistics indicated that kids had a 70% of being sober, happy and healthy a year after leaving our program.

 

The reality at the end of the day was we lost more than we saved.

 

So, yeah, I'm weary and tired...

 

But, HEY, Donald Trump will save us from everything wrong with the USA!

 

I'm weary and tired...

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Carlos Hazday
On 08/16/2016 09:27 AM, Nahrung said:

I think that people are getting what I call, 'Charity Weary'.

 

We, in the USA, are almost by definition, caring and giving people. We WANT to help those in need, those who are victims, those down on their luck and in need of help. WE WANT TO HELP!

 

But, we are weary... I think that most sensible and rational Americans are weary and tired of being faced with a new crisis every day. And that's without even talking and thinking about what's going on in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Middle East in general.

 

I would love to come up with a way that could make a difference, but I can't.

 

I was an adolescent counselor for 20 years... My last years were spent as the Senior Counselor at an Adolescent Extended Care Half-Way house. Kids who come out of Primary Treatment (30 Days) have a 17% chance of remaining sober, happy and healthy a year later. We were proud that our statistics indicated that kids had a 70% of being sober, happy and healthy a year after leaving our program.

 

The reality at the end of the day was we lost more than we saved.

 

So, yeah, I'm weary and tired...

 

But, HEY, Donald Trump will save us from everything wrong with the USA!

 

I'm weary and tired...

The reality at the end of the day is FEWER were lost because you helped same some.

 

I've always tried to share my time and wealth with those less fortunate and I'm glad people like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett use their fortunes to help people all over the world.

 

Yeah, not all working stiff's like me or all billionaires like those two behave the same, but that's no reason to quit. Sometimes I get weary and back off, but it's imperative we all do our part.

 

Thanks for reading and for the thoughtful teview!

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Stephen ODonohue

Very interesting and timely. However, as a non American I just can't let this conversation go by without bringing up the Guns issue. Yes, the founding fathers wrote about 'A well armed militia' etc... but there are stats that give the lie to most of the rubbish I read and hear about gun ownership in the US. Regardless of your 'inalienable rights'... gun deaths in the US are over 30,000 per year with over 70,000 non fatal injuries. 100,000+ people per year. No other western country in the world has this problem like the US. Until the good folk of America can clearly see that the almost masochistic love of guns many in the US have, is the root cause of so much death, destruction and social ills that you have, you'll continue to add to the near half million men, women and children who have died this century from gun violence. That figure is worth repeating... that's 500,000 people dead from guns in one country in 16 years with another 1,000,000 people injured. JD had it right when he argued that Australia has a different perspective (thank you Carlos). I don't intend to get into a debate with anyone over your Second Amendment Rights... but figures don't lie.

 

Gun Deaths per 100,000 of population (circa 2014)

 

CANADA 1.9
Australia .93
UK .23
Germany 1.01
Japan .06

 

US 10.54

 

By all means ya'll talk about the cultural, political and historical reasons for guns... but the figures don't lie.

 

Stephen

  • Like 3
Carlos Hazday
On 12/07/2016 05:21 AM, Stephen ODonohue said:

Very interesting and timely. However, as a non American I just can't let this conversation go by without bringing up the Guns issue. Yes, the founding fathers wrote about 'A well armed militia' etc... but there are stats that give the lie to most of the rubbish I read and hear about gun ownership in the US. Regardless of your 'inalienable rights'... gun deaths in the US are over 30,000 per year with over 70,000 non fatal injuries. 100,000+ people per year. No other western country in the world has this problem like the US. Until the good folk of America can clearly see that the almost masochistic love of guns many in the US have, is the root cause of so much death, destruction and social ills that you have, you'll continue to add to the near half million men, women and children who have died this century from gun violence. That figure is worth repeating... that's 500,000 people dead from guns in one country in 16 years with another 1,000,000 people injured. JD had it right when he argued that Australia has a different perspective (thank you Carlos). I don't intend to get into a debate with anyone over your Second Amendment Rights... but figures don't lie.

 

Gun Deaths per 100,000 of population (circa 2014)

 

CANADA 1.9

Australia .93

UK .23

Germany 1.01

Japan .06

 

US 10.54

 

By all means ya'll talk about the cultural, political and historical reasons for guns... but the figures don't lie.

 

Stephen

I don't see a change in gun laws/attitude in the freoseeable future. I'm one of those authors who likes realism in my stories and haven't shied from tackling controversial subjects. I may not always agree with some of what my characters say, but I think it fits their personalitis. The gun issue will be part of CJ's story in the next book. What the heck, I like to live dangerously! LOL

 

Thanks for reading and for the thoughtful review.

  • Like 3
Carlos Hazday
7 hours ago, BDANR said:

Thank you for a thought-provoking and emotionally triggering read on a difficult and divisive subject. You did it with warmth by including the whole family, but you also didn't shy away from the gravity of the subject matter. I'll make sure to read more from you, Carlos!

 

Thank you!

 

This story and the more recent Hunting Season feature characters from my ongoing series in stand-alone tales. They fit into the continuity but can be read on their own. This was a result of my frustration with events mentioned here and other similar ones. Sometimes, writing a fictional account allows me to give voice to my thoughts while trying to be objective and give opposing views an airing at the same time. I can create entirely fictional events but using real life as the basis feels more honest to me.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you again.

  • Like 5
Will Hawkins

I have stated my opinion on the issue of gun control in the US elsewhere. I believe that the bearing of arms as stated in the Constitution of this country should be interpreted as a privilege, not a right.  It is a privilege that should be earned, not given as a toy is given to a child. I realize I am probably in a distinct minority with this opinion, nonetheless, I feel I have to express it. Firstly, my opinion applies to handguns only. Hunting rifles are a different category and there must be different rules set up for them. However, automatic or semi-automatic weapons, even single shot rifles with 'bump stocks' or the ability to add that mechanism post-sale, should be forbidden, those are weapons of war not of self-protection.

There are certain classes of people in this country who should be able to own weapons. I place in this category Peace Officers and trained military personnel, but even in those categories, I feel that the privilege should be heavily restricted. Gun owners must be thoroughly vetted to weed out those with psychological problems, no matter how restrictive that may be, and adequate and continuing training must be a requirement for continuing membership in this privileged class. The restriction against gun ownership by felons is another class that should be studied quite closely -- not all crimes classified as felonies imply a tendency toward violence on the part of a perpetrator who has served his time.

Yes, this implies a continuing training and vetting program and will cost money to support, but, to my mind, it is an absolute necessity. If you want the privilege of owning a handgun, you must pay for it.

The practice of gun fairs where weapons are available for any nutcase that has the money to buy can acquire a weapon, must stop and weapons that are no longer desired should be either destroyed or sold back to registered dealers, who must then initiate the vetting process again to sell on the secondary market. No weapon should be liable to acquisition by devise or gift to an ineligible person.

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Carlos Hazday

@Will Hawkins

Even with a population supposedly more enlightened than the general public, GA members have varying opinions when it comes to firearms. Just as with the Bible, the US Constitution can be taken literally or interpreted in light of time passing. The pendulum of support for either side will continue to swing.

Edited by Carlos Hazday
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