My 2nd day off training and a now messy predicament

This post is a continuation to My second day of training followed by an unforeseen chain of events. If you have yet to read that part of the story, I recommend you take a moment to catch up. It'll give you a better appreciation for how everything played out. To read the beginning of the story click here

True story continued....

Watching the young man walk away, I couldn't help but shake my head in resignation. I quickly got back into my car, and lock the doors. Not wanting to linger, I started my car and drove off. I couldn't help but laugh at myself in pure frustration. I punched the steering wheel, thinking out loud and saying, " Only you could get yourself into something like this." In the form of a prayer I then said," Thank you Lord. I have no idea why this just happened, but I trust you."

I was driving aimlessly for a few moments, just lost in thought. I honestly did not know what to do next. Remembering my brother, I grabbed my phone and call him. Answering quickly, after having been anxiously waiting my phone call. He briefly described the reaction shared by him and his girlfriend, and explained how they quickly put their phone on mute. He sat quietly and listened, as I relayed everything that had just happened. I explained everything to him, and I apologized emphatically for having backed into a car. He reminded me that it was not my fault, and we then begin to discuss what I needed to do next.

I knew that I needed to return to the training center, though honestly, all I wanted to do was go home. We discussed my decision not drive directly to the police station, while the young man still in the car. I had honestly doubted whether he would have allowed me to. I knew that there was a very good chance of finding a police officer, by simply returning to the training center. Though I had no clue what would happen if I returned. my brother and I continued to discuss the situation, as I drove myself back to the training building.

As I neared the street, where the training building was located, I felt myself getting more and more nervous. I had already ended the phone call with my brother, promising to keep him updated. I was now on my own. As I turned onto the street, I could see three police cruisers, and several police officers engaged in conversation. I did not want to approach the scene directly. I had no clue what the young man had done, to invoke someone to shoot at him.

Considering the possibility, that someone would recognize my car and link me to him. I decided instead to park my car in the training building lot. Once again I found an empty parking spot, directly in front of the building.
Pulling into the spot, I noticed that the head director of training was standing near the main entrance. I approached him, hoping that he could wave down a police officer for me.

Upon noticing me, he began to walk towards me. I attempted to speak to him saying, " you guys really need to pick a better training location." That was all I was able to say before he lifted his hand, and cut me off.
Forcefully pointing his finger at me, he barked, " Yeah whatever!" Then commanded, " You wait here!" Turning around, he walked away. Marching back towards the doors, and leaving me standing there with my mouth open.

I stood there for a minute dumbfounded. I could feel my adrenaline rising, as I watched him walk away in a astoundment. " You know what! Go screw!," I said to no one in particular. Then turned and walked towards the gate. " Thanks again, you dumb schmuck!", I thought to myself. Taking in a deep breath as I crossed the street, and began to walk towards the commotion.

I could see several people standing around. Two people we're leaning against a car, as a police officer took their statement. I could count two police cruisers, and several unmarked black tinted vehicles. There was one officer darting back and forth between the vehicles. I stopped for a moment, as I considered the possibility of simply dialing 911. Yet with a simple glance at my phone, and realizing that the battery was dead. The mental debate ended quickly.

Just then I spotted a police cruiser driving towards me, waving him down, I approached. The officer stopped, and rolled down his window. I then explain to him how the young man that was shot at, had jumped into my. Pretended to have a gun, and had me drive him down the road. He then exited his car, and walk towards me. " So you are saying that someone jumped into your car and forced you to take them somewhere?", he reiterated. " Yes.", I responded. "And what type of car do you drive?", he asked again. Pointing to my brother's car, which was visible from where we're were standing. I told him the year, make, model, and color of the car. Taking a moment to write what I said, onto a notepad, he then said, "I'm going to have to ask you to wait in my car."

Opening the back door of his police cruiser, he politely asked me to get in. Not having a choice in the matter, I entered the back of the cruiser . As my backside, unexpectedly met with the hard plastic seat. I was instantly reminded of the first time I discovered, that police cruisers had a hard plastic seats. Though the circumstances were different. They were similar in that both instances were a result of someone else's actions. "You are not in any trouble.", assured the police officer. Bringing me back to the present. "I will be back shortly", he assured closing the door. I was now sitting in the back of the police cruiser, in complete silence, I simply stared at the outside world. I could see the old brick building, from where I was sitting. There were numerous onlookers with their heads perched, curiously watching the scene from the second floor windows. I watched as trainees briskly exited the iron doors, and walked over to their cars. I laughed while shaking my head, and reliving my own experience with walking through those doors. How lucky I felt to have been one of the first names called. I had left through those doors looking forward to the rest of my day.

Just then the police officer returned to the door. "Do you do you think that you can show me where you dropped off to your man? "Of course it was not that far from here, and I have nothing better to do, anyways.", I said jokingly. The officer let out unexpected laugh, then jumped in the car. As he started the car another officer pulled up beside him. When he rolled down the window, the vistor began to speak. "I just finished talking to a few witnesses, he began in a confident and somewhat boastful tone. "They were training on the second floor, in the building across the street." I listened intently. "They said that after hearing the gunshots, they walked over to the window and saw an older man in a hoodie running into the parking lot. He then hopped into his car, backed into a another car, then sped away." I sat quietly in the backseat, just staring at the floor. Unsuccessfully gripping the hard plastic seat, while fighting the urge to react. I closed my eyes in awkward suspense, wondering when my companion would step in.

After having given a formal description of the fleeing Hyundai, he had now begun to explain what he thought had really happened. I sat there in suspense, wondering why my companion had yet to interrupt the ranting officer. I even found myself mentally pleading for his salvation. He was verbally digging himself to the point of no returned. As he began to utter the final words, that would seal the officers embarrassing moment. My companion finally interrupted the rant, causing the final word to slip through barely audible. "Saved at the last second!", I screamed in my mind. Mentally congratulating my accompanying officer for such a good save.

No longer interested in the words of the conversation, I simply sat there enjoying the moment. I studied the now slightly timid officer's facial expressions, as my companion explained that they were no longer looking for the vehicle. I bite my lip trying not to laugh, as the visitor almost gave himself whip lash. Having turned in disbelief, to look at my Toyota parked in the lot behind him, but being instantly restrained by his seatbelt. I almost lost my cool when I saw the look of confused terror run across his face, as the visitor realized that I was sitting in the back seat. I couldn't help but give him a big cheesey smile, as our eyes met. I waved hello, as he could barely mumble a response.

Though he had basically called me a low life, I felt no disdain towards him. His regret was clearly visible in his eyes. My accompanying officer, proceeded to explain to him what was going on. After which the visiting officer offered to follow us on our drive. I was now the person sitting in the backseat, telling someone where to go. We drove for a few minutes, and soon we were turning onto our desired street. Upon turning the corner police officer immediately slow down as a familiar young man cross the road. I quickly informed the officer, that was the person who was looking for. The young man's eyes met mine at the police cruiser passed by him. He was in the process of getting into a car. My accompanying officer quickly pulled over, and was speaking into his headset exited the car.
The young man peacefully turned himself in. After some questioning, he confirmed my story.

I was then driven to the police station, and escorted to a private room. While there I was asked to retell my story in written format. After a few hours I was free to go. I was informed that the young man, having no previous criminal background, would be released shortly. He too was considered a victim in this situation. When I asked about the car that I backed into, their response offered little comfort. There was nothing they could do, because he was considered a victim. "You have insurance on the car don't you", was the response I received. After I commented on the unfairness, of the situation. My concern wasn't really for myself , but for my brother would not have to deal with the insurance. There was no legal action that I could take. "You can't get blood from a stone.", seems to be a preferred response. When dealing in these situations. it was a response that I have heard , more time then I care to admit.

Upon leaving the police station, a good friend drove me back to my car. This time the parking lot was almost completely empty. The sun was going down, seeming to acknowledge the end of this day. While walking to my car, I once again saw the head of training. Having just finished locking the iron doors, and was apparently heading home. I approached him once again, reiterating what I had said previously. "You guys really need to pick a better train location." Once again he cut me off. " You have some nerve coming back here!", he growled. " Are you serious right now?", I asked while looking directly at him. I can feel my adrenaline starting to rise. "I have several witnesses that saw you back into a car and then leave." " That was not my fault ", I countered. " This guy jumped into my car and forced me to drive him somewhere!", I began. Cutting me off once again, he said "Whatever! Come back tomorrow and you'll find out if you have a job or not.", then he began to walk away. I couldn't believe it, this was the second time he cut me off. Visions of me being carried off in the back of the police car, we're now flashing before my eyes. At least this time I actually would have deserved it. This dude really was a schmuck. Entering my car, I managed to fight off the desire to smash my car into his precious SUV. He was lucky the car wasn't mine.

I drove home in complete disgust. I had had enough of the Census Bureau. I pulled up to my house feeling completely defeated. How had I managed to screwed up, what I thought was a great opportunity. Sitting at my kitchen table, and reflecting on the day. I ran over the day's events in my mind. My feelings shifted from defeat to disgust and rage began to overcome the feelings of defeat. I quickly ran over, and grab my training materials. Shuffling through the papers I found the main number to the bureau, and called them. Upon reaching the correct department, I began to tell the person what had happen. Doing my best to not be overcome by the feelings which were now pouring through me. I ended my retelling by saying," It was your department that chose the location. It was not my fault that that young man jumped into my car. Pretended to have a gun, and forced me to drive off. Not to mention that every time I approached the head director, hoping that he would help me. He cut me off, then tells me to come in tomorrow to check if I still have a job! What the hell is that! If this is how you guys run things, I will be calling a lawyer tomorrow.

The person on the other line apologize, explaining that this was the first time she had heard about the event. She sympathizes with me, and then asked that I give her some time to contact the head of training. " Give me some time to check on this, and I promise I will call you back." She reassured me.

About a half hour later my phone rang. It was the head of train, his voice is now somewhat apologetic. He explained that he had not realized what happened. You didn't ask me to come in a little earlier the next day. Explaining that I would have to fill out an incident report, followed by some insurance papers. I would then meet with the owner the car that I backed into, and hopefully we could come to an arrangement.

The next day I did as I was told and I arrived early. Upon entering the building, I was met at the entrance by the head of training. His demeanor what's now softer, yet still some what rigid. " I am sorry about yesterday.", he began. "There was so much going on yesterday. With the fingerprinting, the paperwork, and then hearing that one trainee hit another trainees car. So many people told me that they saw you hit a car and leave. " " I understand.", I replied. He then introduce me to the lady whose car I hit. It turned out that she and I were neighbors. We discovered this upon trading insurance information. Having lived on the same small street for years, yet meeting for the first time that day. After filling out all the paperwork, and turning in the police report later that week. I was able to finish my training, and working the entire season.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope that you enjoyed it. I hold no hard feelings towards anyone involved in the story. Whenever I share the story, it is usually with a sense of humor. Though we cannot control what happens to us, often times we can control how we respond. May God bless you in all your endeavors. Thanks again.
@dreamingirwin

If you miss the beginning half of the story, I invite you to check it out: MY second day of training followed by unforeseen chain of events