by Sioux Dallas
“But Barry - you’ve just made Captain. Why did you leave the police force?” Allison Morgan looked with concern at her brother. “By the way, thanks for meeting my plane. I thought you were in for life. I know you went into law enforcement after Dad was killed on duty. You are an excellent attorney, but police work seemed to draw you. We could have been law partners. Maybe you’ll continue law now that you’re off the force. Or maybe you’ll try for the FBI. But why wait until you made Captain to leave? How are you earning a living now and why?”
“Whoa. Are you going to babble on non-stop all day or can I get a few words in, little sister?”
“Little sister,” she snorted. “All of four minutes younger.”
“I’m truly glad to see you, sis.”
Allison made a face at her brother and patted his leg. “Okay Barry. Talk.”
“Sis, you might doubt my sanity when you hear the story.”
“Barry, it’s possible I won’t agree with you, but I’ll always love you and will always be at your side. So tell.” She reached to the dashboard, turned the heat on and settled in a more comfortable position.
Barry took a deep breath. “About two months ago we had our first frost and you know how bitter cold ole windy Chicago can get. It was almost midnight and, for some reason, I decided to drive along Boomer Street near the railroad tracks. A foot patrolman was stabbed to death there a couple of weeks before. I was not in uniform and was driving an unmarked car. As I approached the corner of Boomer and Rau, I noticed two young girls standing on a comer. They were not dressed very warm. A tall, skinny man was talking to them and, just as I got close, he slapped one girl hard. I stopped quickly and got out of the car. The man grinned at me and said, “This is your lucky night, Buddy. These are two choice birds and you’ll get the honor breaking in a new one.” Barry drew a shaky breath.
“I took my folder out of my pocket and showed my badge and identification. I didn’t get to say anything. As soon as the street light hit my badge, the man ran. The girl he had slapped ran in another direction. I grabbed the smallest girl and demanded to know her name and age. Her name was Melissa Hill and she was fourteen. She begged me to let her go and finally told me that the man would punish her for talking to me. She refused to tell me his name or the name of the girl who had run.”
Allison realized it would be a sad story. She shifted in her seat and faced him.
“I gave Melissa my card and assured her that I wanted to help. She said, “Yeah, you’d help me go to jail.” I reminded her that prostitution is a crime but that I had friends who would give her shelter and take care of her until her parents could be contacted. She cried and told me that she had run away from home three days before and had come to Chicago hoping to be a model. She said, “I’m still a virgin, but I won’t be much longer. Tonight was to be my first job. The man who took me in expects me to help pay my way.”
“As she started to say something else, a shrill whistle rang out from an alley and she ran. I couldn’t find her in the darkness.”
“Oh, Barry. I know that broke your heart, but how did that influence you to leave the force? It seems to me that would boost your desire to be a more effective police officer.”
“You haven’t heard the rest of the story.”
“Sorry. Go on.”
“I had a call the next morning a little before five. A patrolman had found a nude body by the railroad tracks at the end of Rail Street. My card was on her stomach. I dressed hurriedly and drove over there.” His voice broke and he stopped to take a deep breath.
Allison gulped a sob and reached to pat his hand on the steering wheel. I can imagine how you felt, but it wasn’t your fault.”
He continued. “It was Melissa. She had been badly beaten. She had not only been savagely raped, but had also been sodomized. That fourteen-year-old baby had been tortured and left to bleed to death in the bitter cold. They do that to warn others who might be tempted to leave them or tell on them.”
Allison wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Horrendous. How she must have suffered and been so afraid.”
“Another bad time was when I had to drive to a small farm in Lowell, Indiana and tell two sweet old people that their baby would never be coming home.”
“Were they too strict with her? Is that why she ran away?”
“No. Their pastor told me they were a good family. A high school teacher had told Melissa that she was pretty enough to be a model. She thought living in the country was keeping her from being rich and famous.”
“That’s so sad. Adults should be careful what they tell impressionable young people. But how did that influence you to leave the force? It seems to me you would be more determined to help confused young people.”
“I think your questions will be answered here.” Barry parked in front of what looked to be a big warehouse. He opened the car door for Allison and, taking her by the hand, led her into the building.”
“It’s the man himself!” A young male voice reached them. “Who’s the beautiful chick with you?” The boy looked embarrassed when his voice cracked.
“This is my sister. My twin. I want her to see what we’re doing here.”
Several teens, boys and girls, eagerly offered Allison a tour.
“This was an empty building, but Mr. B, and some others made it into a home for us. My name’s Dan,” the boy with the cracking voice proudly told her.
“I’m happy to meet you. All of you. I’m Allison. Show me the rest, please.”
“Mr. B did most of the work by himself. We helped with part of the painting. His church helped us get furniture and needed supplies, and here we are. My name’s Laura,” the pretty dark-haired girl smiled.
Allison returned the smile. “What brought you here, Laura?”
“Most of us are runaways, but some of the kids were unhappy in foster homes. There’s a long story for the majority of us.”
The young people led Allison into the front central part of the building into a room with casual furniture. A widescreen television, a pool table and a large table with board games on it completed the furniture. In one corner were two long tables and bookshelves filled with books. Behind the recreation room was a large dining room and a well-supplied kitchen.
One end of the building had been divided into eight rooms each with a twin bed, two dressers and walk-in closet. At the end of the closet was a complete bathroom. This arrangement was duplicated on the opposite side of the building. Boys were on one side and girls on the other.
“A husband and wife team is always in residence,” Barry explained as he came up behind them. “There are several retired couples who volunteer. We presently have eleven couples who take a week each. The couples supervise the kitchen with the help of the older teens. Each person is in a group with assigned tasks to take care of housekeeping and chores. They team to work together. They help each other with homework and encourage each other to get an education.”
“I’m in awe,” Allison said. “Barry, what do you do?”
“I’m a counselor and I drive around trying to make contact with kids on the street. Word gets out that we’re here with food, shelter and no pressure.” He turned at the sound of footsteps. “Hi! Here’s Rae and Bill Wilson who’re on duty this week. Folks, this is-”
“Land sakes,” Rae broke in. “I’ve never seen two people of the opposite sex looking so much alike.” She blushed. “I’m sorry. Bill tells me daily that my brain needs to be in gear before my mouth is in motion. Forgive me, Barry. I interrupted you.”
“I’m glad you carne in time to meet my sister - my twin sister. I wanted her to see what we’re doing with the kids.”
“Let’s go into the dining room and have coffee where we can talk privately,” Bill invited. “Not that we need to keep anything from the kids. They know it all, but my feet are killing me. This woman had me going all over town looking for yard sale bargains.”
As they started toward the dining room, a commotion at the front door caught their attention.
“Hey! Look who’s come to see us,” Shelly said and then screamed.
“Dear God,” Rae muttered hurrying to the door. “Hello, Jerry. Who do you have with you?”
Barry ran past Rae to take a little girl from the young boy’s arms. The little boy had a black eye, a red, swollen cheek and a bleeding scalp wound. The little girl was unconscious and had blood on her face and clothing.
“My sister, Charlene. He’s done it to me and I took it to stay home and take care of her, but now he’s started on her.”
“Who did this to the two of you?” Allison asked angrily.
Bill took her to one side. “Jerry is only nine and weighs less than one hundred pounds. Barry found him going through a dumpster behind a restaurant. He was searching for food to take to his mother and sister. The abusive father died and the mother feels she can’t take care of herself. She has men coming and going. Needless to stay, most of them are abusive because that’s what she’s used to. The man living there now does help with the rent, but resents the children.”
“Why doesn’t the mother get a job and keep the men away?”
“She’s weak. He beats her until she can’t go look for a job. The children’s father was a drunk who beat her and it’s all she knows. She has no self-confidence. Jerry’s smart and has had to grow up too fast. He feels responsible for his little sister.”
“Now I understand why my brother left the police force. But how do you all earn a living. You have to take care of your own expenses.”
“We all contribute a little from our retirement. Various organizations help financially and with material needs. Barry works for people doing carpentry work, house painting and various jobs. He allows older teens to help and gives them pocket change. Would you believe they give it back to us to help with expenses? That’s why we call our place NEW BEGINNINGS. We encourage the children to finish high school and some do earn college credits. Barry sees that they all learn a skill to help them support themselves.”
“I’m so glad that you’re providing for these precious young people.”
“Give your brother the credit. He knew the police work would take his time and, in many cases, tie him so that he couldn’t do what might be needed,” Bill continued. “He eats with us sometimes and on rare occasions has slept here. Adult quarters are behind the kitchen. Barry speaks at various senior centers, churches and organizations to ask for help. It’s your brother’s dream. We’re just following him.”
Rae joined them with a sigh. “Charlene is five years old and terrified. Jerry wants the two of them to stay full time and would appreciate help for his mother.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Barry said as he joined them. “I have friends on the force and know attorneys who will be delighted to help pro bono. Can we make room for them?”
“We’ve made room,” Ann smiled. “Laura and I put another bed in our room for Charlene and Dan and Mike are taking Jerry. That’s what we’re here for isn’t it - to take care of each other?”
“Honey, I’m so proud of you. Of all of you,” Barry jumped up to hug them. “Yes, that’s what we’re doing here.” He gave a thumbs up to the group.
“We’re on our way,” he said with a satisfied grin.