A Whole New World

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"A correctional officer is entirely different," Bill explained to Rhonda. "It's so frustrating. You can't just lock 'em up and leave. They do everything in the book to antagonize each other and officers."

~0~

Life had been harsh the past couple of years. Bill had lost his job first at the Casino as Security Director, then the deputy sheriff job was only temporary and was not available when government funding had fallen through.

~1~

Rhonda thought maybe, just maybe, things would be better when Bill got a full time job in the adjoining county as a correctional officer. He had been a police officer years before and all he talked of was being an officer again.

~2~

The phone interrupted Rhonda's train of thought. "Yes, this is Mrs. Rogers."

~3~

"Mrs. Rogers, this is Lt. Hadley. Bill has been injured in a jail fight. He isn't seriously hurt but is at the hospital being checked out. He asked me to call you and let you know in case it came out on the news before he could let you know."

~4~

Rhonda hung up and made her way to the hospital emergency room. Bill was still angry when she arrived.

~5~

Before she could ask what had happened Bill blurted out, "Sons-of-bitches! I hate this job. One of the bastards kneed me in the nuts then pushed me down a flight of concrete steps. They were fighting and I had to break it up. None of the other officers came to help until it was too late. Bastards! They're as bad as the inmates."

~6~

The night went from bad to worse after they made it home. Bill stopped and bought a case of Bud Light on the way home to nurse his discontent with. This had become a daily event in the past few months. Rhonda couldn't understand how he could spend money they didn't have on alcohol. His job at the jail was barely above minimum wage and he had become almost disgusting to her with his drunkenness. Something had to change and quick.

~7~

"Rhonda, I know things haven't been going well between us lately. I know you can't stand for me to drink and I can't stand not to. I hate this job. I hate getting up in the mornings. I met someone today though that may have given me an opportunity to change it all."

~8~

"And how is that?" Rhonda questioned, doubt permeating her tone.

~9~

"We had an inmate brought in today by a company that only extradites prisoners from state to state. The agent says his company is in need of more agents and gave me an application to fill out. He says they make good money. I'd be wearing a badge again and feel more like a law officer."

~10~

Bill filled out the application and mailed his resume to the extradition company. He received a call to set up an interview in Nashville, Tennessee the following week. While he was on the phone he requested another application be sent out.

~11~

"Rhonda, it would be great to have a two-badge family. I had an application sent out for you too." Bill announced.

~12~

"What makes you think I want to transport prisoners? I don't have any experience, don't want any experience in that field." Rhonda replied.

~13~

"We could be a team. We would be able to work together. I would teach you anything you needed to know. Why don't you just try it?" Bill pleaded.

~14~

Rhonda agreed to make the trip to Nashville with Bill for his interview, but conveniently left her blank application at home. She felt all prisoners belonged there and she had no sympathy, no empathy, whatsoever for them. She had lost a good friend when a man shot and killed her for only a small amount of money in a country store register. Within a month, the store she worked at was robbed, trashed, and the thieves received only a year. She didn't want any part of dealing with any prisoner in any manner.

~15~

"William Rogers," Bill said extending his hand for a handshake to the receptionist positioned behind the impressive marble desk.

~16~

"Mr. Sullivan will be with you shortly, Mr. Rogers. He is running a little behind on interviews today." the pert blond explained.

~17~

"Not a problem," Bill stated, "My wife forgot her application. Do you happen to have another she could fill out?"

~18~

Looking directly at Rhonda she asked, "You want to transport too?"

~19~

Without waiting for Rhonda's answer, she dialed a number and began a conversation, "That's right, his wife wants to get an application too."

~20~

Slinging her long blond tresses back, the receptionist told Rhonda, "The director of agents, Mr.Lopez will see you now, Mrs. Rogers. Mr. Rogers, Mr. Sullivan will be with you shortly."

~21~

"I haven't filled out the application yet," Rhonda protested.

~22~

"It's okay. You can do that later. We really need some female officers and Mr. Lopez would like to talk to you to see if you qualify."

~23~

Before she had time to think, Rhonda found herself employed with a company she had no desire to be affiliated with.

~24~

The next two weeks were a blur of furious packing to make a move to Nashville for the two week training course. Rhonda took a two week vacation from her current job and turned in her resignation with reservations.

~25~

Bill was like a new person since they had both been hired.

~26~

I'll never pass the course to be able to do this job. I wouldn't mind living in Nashville though. I could get a job doing something I'm sure. Bill won't care as long as he passes.I know nothing about law enforcement, handling prisoners, no way I'll make it through the training class.

~27~

Day one of class found them filling out form after form for employment purposes. Rhonda had to fill out all the original application forms as well. She had promised Bill she'd at least give class a try. He hadn't had a drink since they arrived, so she was more than willing to try if it made that kind of difference. There were two other females in the class, both at least twenty years her junior.

~28~

Knocking on fifty years old, they were at least twenty years older than most of the other students. There were twenty-two males and three females. The younger males didn't attempt to hide the fact they felt Rhonda was way out of her league in this atmosphere.

~29~

Smart alecks. These kids don't have a clue what I'm made of Ronda thought. They don't have any idea the hardship I have lived through raising my four natural children and five adopted ones single-handed.

~30~

The second day of class was spent learning the history of the company and it's goals in the extradition business. It was interesting to say the least Rhonda had to admit. She had no idea hundreds of thousands of inmates were transported across the nation yearly.

~31~

"I think you are beginning to like the idea of this work," Bill said over dinner that night.

~32~

"I have to admit it is interesting work and much different than I anticipated, but it is still early yet. I don't know enough yet to even consider making a final decision."

~33~

"Well, I'm glad you are trying anyway." Bill added.

~34~

The bubble almost burst the next morning. "We'll be taking a safe driving class today," Lt.Dumont their instructor announced. "You will all have to take the commercial driving test later today."

~35~

Fear gripped Rhonda to her core. She was horrified to drive in heavy traffic. She was a country girl and was petrified of driving in a small city, much less Nashville. Nausea overtook her as she tried to focus on the instructors directions.

~36~

"God must have been driving that van," Rhonda told one of her classmates. "I don't remember anything past driving out of the driveway. I can't believe I passed the test. I won't even visit my sister who lives in a small town because I've always been afraid of driving in the traffic. Maybe an old dog can learn new tricks."

~37~

Each day found Bill becoming more and more of a mentor to the young males in the class with his experience as a former law enforcement officer and a correctional officer. Rhonda found herself becoming a competitor wishing to show these young folks they didn't know everything. She had Bill practice self-defense with her in their hotel room each night and she was finding the extradition business more and more intriguing as each day passed. He coached her on the proper way to restrain and handcuff prisoners and drilled her on proceedures in handling inmates.

~38~

"This ought to be good," Robert said as a laugh escaped him.

~39~

"Today will probably put granny out of the running to pass this course," Nate answered.

~40~

"Yeah, why would a woman that old think she could do this kind of work when she has never done anything even close to it?" Robert went on.

~41~

The younger group had taken bets over drinks last night that Rhonda's last day would probably be today at the shooting range. She had surprised them thus far, but come on, this gave new meaning to granny get your gun!

~42~

"Don't underestimate determination and perseverance," Lt. Dumont said.

~43~

"Come on, Lt., you don't really think she's gonna pass this and make an extradition agent." Robert rebounded.

~44~

"I'm afraid Rhonda is one tough lady, who doesn't give up easy. I've seen stranger things happen. You and your buddies may have to recant some of your jokes when you have to ask for her help." Lt. Dumont added.

~45~

"Won't never see that," Nate piped in.

~46~

"What the hell? Who would have thought?" Robert stood amazed.

~47~

"What, you guys never seen a woman shoot a shotgun?" Rhonda asked. "Been hunting since I was five. I may not know all I need to about extradition yet, but I know how to handle people, and I know how to handle a weapon. My daddy taught me if I pull the trigger it better not get up." The elation Rhonda felt at having the best shooting score shone in her face.

~48~

"Can you help me out, give me some pointers?" Juli asked Rhonda with a new respect ringing in her voice. "You should have seen the guys faces. The more you shot the wider their mouths got."

~49~

"First of all you have to hold the stock of the shotgun tight against your shoulder. Then lean into your shot a little more. Aim for center mass. This is a shotgun, you'll hit something if you aim for the center. Now squeeze the trigger."

~50~

Day by day, the quiet grandma metamorphosed into a self-confident woman ready to tackle whatever obstacle necessary to become an extradition agent. She scored the highest of all the students in class, she out shot all of them including Bill who had been a sharpshooter in the Army and even withstood being sprayed with freeze + P spray better than most. She aced the fight stages and pressure point self-defense.

~51~

Heart in her throat, Rhonda had been assigned as junior agent to Master Sgt. Vila for the on the job training phase of her employment as a special extradition agent. She still had much to learn, but learn she would.

~52~

"Where are we going first," Rhonda inquired of her trainer.

~53~

Sgt. Vila's Puerto Rican accent spouted, "New York."

~54~

"New York! God you better know your way around there, cause you know you're going to have to take the wheel when we get there!"

~55~

Words 1922