LITMIR.BIZ

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with Center regulations. You must comply.”

      He was talking to us as if we’d just signed up for the army or something. We were all agents, trained in some specialty. Granted, guarding the president was a big deal, but no bigger than getting drugs off the streets, or convicting terrorists. He really needed to loosen up.

      Agent Phillips continued, “Also, we aren’t the only training program on the campus, so you’ll be provided with lockers for textbooks and materials. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the lock.”

      Before we could participate in training-related physical activity, we were going to receive a medical screening to make certain we could endure the course of rigorous training. We were also told that the use of tobacco products, and eating or drinking in the classroom, was strictly prohibited.

      Agent Phillips explained that in order for us to temp with the Secret Service we had to pass the Practice Exercise Performance Requirements. There were six parts: physical efficiency, firearms accuracy, driving training, marine swimming techniques, computer knowledge, and counterterrorism training. Most of it was a repeat of the training I received to join the FBI, but they didn’t care. They wanted us trained their way, by their agents.

      Finally, we were done with the introduction and everyone scattered in different directions. Some to eat, some to get their training materials, and some to rest. I was in the last category. Flying from D.C. to Atlanta and then into Savannah, only to have to wait for the FLETC shuttle to bring me to the base, didn’t make for a relaxing day. And even though my pregnancy test turned out negative, my cycle still hadn’t arrived. I felt extra tired and that had me worried.

      “So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” Agent Johnson said to me as I turned to leave.

      “Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, tomorrow. I’ll look for you bright and early at physicals.”

      “Cool—let me go get my grub on,” Agent Johnson joked.

      I smiled; I was glad I’d found an ally.

      After getting my key, I entered the barracks. There was nothing special about my dormitory room. It held just the basics: two beds, an alarm clock, towels, washcloths, bar soap, toilet paper, sheets, pillow with case, blanket, and bedspread. It was spare, and I missed my cozy, upscale brown-stone back home already.

      As soon as I claimed a bed, the doorknob turned and a woman I remembered seeing in the opening session entered. I always had a habit of scoping out other black and female agents. Seeing another minority gave me a boost.

      She appeared to be upset, as she struggled to get her bags into the room. I went to the door to assist.

      “Oh, thanks,” she said. “Suzie Winters, from ATF.”

      Putting her bag at the foot of her bed, I said, “Christian Ware, FBI.”

      “Boy, am I glad to see another female agent,” she said with attitude.

      “Something wrong, Agent Winters?” I probed. I didn’t want to be around a sourpuss.

      “Yeah, you know,” she said. I raised my eyebrows, letting her know I didn’t, in fact, know. “They don’t want us here. Why do they let women in, only to give us an extra-hard time? And we really have it hard, being a double minority.”

      Okay, Suzie was overly open. The chick didn’t even know me and she was assuming I had racial and gender insecurities. What was that about?

      I was apprehensive at first. But then as we talked I realized there was nothing wrong with letting someone new in. At first I was put off by her “honesty,” but I realized she was feeling the pressure and was reaching out. I did know what that was like. It was tough being black and female in a male-dominated business. But no one made me sign up and no one made me stay in it.

      As we both sat on our prospective beds, I said, “I just don’t let anyone else’s bigotry get to me.”

      “So you ignore it?” Suzie asked.

      “Oh, no. It actually fuels me to work harder.” I unzipped my suitcase. “Girl, we’ll have to form an alliance and help each other through this,” I said, digging my roommate as I put my stuff away.

      She smiled. “I’d like that. Thanks for calming me down. I feel better now.”

      The next day I passed the physical. After checking my stats, I was directed to the field for the Physical Efficiency Battery portion of the exam. Agent Phillips was walking alongside me. “So, you’re Agent Ware, huh?” he said, almost leering at me.

      “Yes, sir,” I said warily.

      “I know you think this is automatic for you, but like I said to everyone yesterday, if you don’t pass my training, you go home.” He walked away before I had a chance to respond. Suzie was right.

      The next few days were spent with firearm equipment. This was one area in which I excelled during FBI training. I hit the bull’s-eye every time. Whether it was a revolver, pistol, rifle, shotgun, automatic weapon, air rifle, BB pellet, or cap gun, I was best in show.

      “Show off then, girl.” Agent Johnson swaggered over to me. “You’re making the rest of us look like amateurs. But I can’t give you props in public—you know the boys would sweat me.”

      “And you can’t mess up your rep, right?” I joked.

      “Ha, ha. For real, eat Thanksgiving dinner with us. A bunch of us are going to head off-base to a joint the locals say has slamming soul food. I won’t be hanging with the wife and rugrats, but I’ve got to eat and so do you.”

      Since I needed to study for the Secret Service scenario test, I declined. I appreciated the offer, but I wasn’t there to socialize. Agent Johnson extended his hand and wished me a Happy Thanksgiving. He seemed a little sad as he walked away. I assumed he wished he was spending this holiday with his loved ones. But from what I knew of his upbeat personality, I knew he’d bounce back just fine.

      When I got back to my room, Suzie had the same idea I did. “I am so thrilled I have a roommate that encourages me along the way,” she said to me as she grabbed my hand. “Thank you for helping me with my aim and giving me pointers on the obstacle course. You helped me pass both portions. I’m grateful.”

      I swatted my hand at her, feeling slightly embarrassed. “I’m thankful for you as well. I signed up for this assignment because I needed something new. Even though they’re tough on us, you’re out there telling me we’re just as good as the next guy. That kept me going today.” I took a deep breath. “I’m running after something and I can’t explain it…”

      “But maybe you feel this job might lead you to it?” Suzie said, finishing my thought.

      “Sort of. Yeah,” I said, squinting my eyes. “Is that ridiculous?”

      “No, I understand completely. You’re believing in what you hope for, but can’t see. That’s faith.”

      Maybe she was right. Maybe I was following God on some journey that would make me whole in the end. I wasn’t a strong enough Christian to make out what was going on with me spiritually. I didn’t know any scripture, and couldn’t recall the last sermon I’d heard. That needed to change.

      During the last week we focused on driving at asinine speeds, rescue attempts from deep waters, computer hacking, and counterterrorism issues. I didn’t handle those areas as well as I did the weapons training, but I held my own and passed the two-week course.

      Finally, when the fifty agents had dwindled down to forty strong, we went through briefings on what was expected, skills we’d need to implement the assignment, and how to transition our training to on-the-job work. After, they gave out protectee assignments, and I was glad that mine stayed the same. Agent Johnson was also assigned to Steven Stokes’s detail team. Though we’d be on different rotations, it would be good to keep that connection.

      I wished Suzie well when we packed up to head out to different camps.

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