Reprogramming Carlos

By JR Thompson

So what if he traipsed around school in his whitey-tighties — it was his superhero costume.

The suspension from school might be worth it — he could make national news!

What's up with the authorities in his life? — Why are they acting like this is the end of the world?

At 13, Carlos is a mess. Texting inappropriate photos of himself to his classmates, dropping his pants and running through halls, spying on neighbors, and seeing nothing wrong with his actions.

Mr. Bones fears the boy is heading down a road which will get his name out there alright — on a sexual predator list.

Mr. and Mrs. Estrada are to the point where they're not comfortable allowing their son to remain under their roof. Mr. Bones, on the other hand, doesn't want to see him institutionalized and will do anything to keep the family together. But will his uncouth methods of trying to get the boy's attention be enough?

It's a spiritual battle worth fighting!

Reprogramming Carlos is the third novel in a series of motivational Christian fiction books which are serious yet funny at the same time and will be enjoyed by teens and adults alike.

Purchase Reprogramming Carlos today and see if you have what it takes to become a Worthy Battle warrior!

• Language: English
• Publisher: JR Thompson
• Release date: Dec 12, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463263860

JR Thompson

JR Thompson is a God-fearing, wife-loving, outdoor enthusiast, as well as a rancher wannabe who just so happens to have a passion for entertaining readers. Many of his writings were inspired by his 15+ year history of working with at-risk youths. Thompson currently resides in the Rocky Mountains with his beautiful wife along with eight goats, a horse, and a dog. The author loves engaging with his fans. Feel free to get in touch with him through his Facebook page.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locations, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Cover design by JR Thompson.

Discover more about Christian Author JR Thompson and his writings at www.jrthompsonbooks.com

All scriptures quoted and referenced in this book are taken from the Authorized King James Bible.

Copyright 2018 JR Thompson

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior permission of the author.

I am dedicating this book to Hunter Handy, a young man I had the privilege of leading to the Lord in the summer of 2017. I have witnessed God doing great things in his life already and can’t wait to see what He has in store for Hunter’s future.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Other Books By This Author

1

Captain Carlos — the name had an authoritative ring to it. Yes, that’s how the thirteen-year-old would introduce himself to the overwhelming flood of reporters. When their vehicles raced up, he would strut outside in his award-winning superhero costume — the one which had earned him an incredible five-day vacation from school.

Checking himself out in the mirror, Carlos was impressed with what he saw — kind of anyway. Lots of guys had whitey-tighties. Well, maybe not lots but at least some of them did. The boy needed something to make his stand out. Then again, other superheroes wore their underwear over tights; some even donned matching capes. Carlos was the only superhero who wore his drawers in an ordinary fashion. Maybe his costume would stand out after all.

If only the school, his probation officer, the cops, and his parents would get over their hypocritical judgment of him — claiming running through the halls in his costume was indecent exposure. It wasn’t like he paraded around in his birthday suit! What was wrong with being seen in his underwear? If people could dress in a similar fashion at swimming pools, in wrestling tournaments, and in bodybuilding competitions, school shouldn’t be any different.

A knock came to the door. Yeah? the superhero called.

His door swung open before he had a chance to cover himself up. Ma and Pop both barged in.

Can’t you knock first? Carlos asked while throwing his sweats back on.

Ma laughed sarcastically, Oh, so it’s embarrassing for your parents to catch you without your pants on but it’s perfectly comfortable jogging around in front of your classmates and teachers that way?

Carlos plopped himself down on the bed and peered out the window — no reporters in sight! He wondered how far his story might spread. Hopefully it wouldn’t just stop with the local papers; his name deserved to be echoed off of every building in the nation.

Why, Carlos? Pop interrupted his train of thought. I want to know why you thought that was okay?

The teen returned his focus to the conversation at hand. We already talked about this at the school, he replied coldly.

Right, Pop replied. You were questioned by the police … but your answers weren’t genuine. What was whirling around that empty head of yours?

Carlos pulled his legs up on the bed and laid down, facing away from his parents. Discussing the past wouldn’t magically erase it from history.

Ma was losing her patience. Snapping her fingers, she yelled, Sit up!... You don’t look the other way when an adult is speaking to you!

At the pace of a slug traipsing through peanut butter, the careless teen raised up and made eye contact with his mother. You guys are acting like it’s the end of the world... It’s not like I glued sandpaper to Aunt Maggie’s toilet seat again!

It took everything in Pop to keep his voice calm, Carlos, he said, you’ve crossed the line, my boy. If the court system doesn’t take drastic measures, your ma and I will.

Meaning?

We’re not sure yet. We’re still weighing all of our options.

Like what?

Ma teared up, Probably something along the lines of a military academy or a boarding school.

If nothing else had gotten his attention, that sure did! Carlos put his feet back on the floor and stood up. You don’t want me anymore?

Ma left the room, too choked up to speak.

Pop motioned for the boy to return to his seat. We love you, son. But we’re extremely concerned. If you don’t start taking things seriously, you’re going to hurt somebody.

Carlos snickered, I’m not violent, Pop. You know that.

Pop sat down next to the teen. I’m not referring to that type of hurt. I’m talking about violating someone. We don’t want you abusing one of your classmates or worse, someone younger than you are.

Twiddling his thumbs, Carlos spoke in a soft voice, I can’t believe you think I’d do something like that.

I don’t want to believe it, Pop replied. But you keep taking things further and further. It started with clipping half-naked women out of magazine ads, then you graduated to pornographic websites, you asked that girl at school if she was a virgin, you told people you heard your ma and I—

Okay, Pop! Carlos exclaimed. I don’t need any more examples. I get it.

I hope you do, son. Your ma and I are determined to put a stop to this before things get worse.

The boy felt as if his world was quickly coming to an end. So, you want to ship me off somewhere? To pretend I’m not a part of the family?

Carlos, you will always be a member of our family. But you need more help than we know how to give. The man’s eyes screamed of heartbreak and shame.

Can’t you just give me another chance? Carlos asked.

You’ve had too many chances already, son.

Sounds to me like you’ve already made up your mind.

Pop sat quietly for a moment looking as though he didn’t know what to say. The situation was more than awkward for him. You’re right, Carlos, he said. We have. Your ma and I are not comfortable allowing you to continue staying here. You won’t be welcome under this roof until you’ve gotten your hormones under control. The court system may decide to place you in a long-term psychiatric hospital or a detention center for sexual offenders. If they do, we’re not going to fight it… If they don’t, however, we’re going to find another placement for you.

Carlos hugged his old man — not because he appreciated what was being said. He knew hugs had a way of warming a parent’s heart. I’m sorry, he said. I won’t do it again.

It’s too late for that now, son. What’s done is done.

Releasing his tight grip on Pop, Carlos looked him in the eye, Can I at least have some say-so as to where I go?

You can make suggestions, but the final decision will be up to your ma and I.

I understand, the boy replied. But can I go somewhere out in the country? Like one of those boys’ ranches where I can ride horses and milk cows? I’ve always wondered what it would be like to live on a farm.

Pop shook his head, You don’t get it, do you son? We’re not trying to reward you for acting out! You’ve got to learn some boundaries!

2

Inviting a detective who was accompanying a social worker from Child Protective Services into his living room was difficult, but Mr. Estrada felt he had no choice. Even though they didn’t have a warrant, the social worker insisted she had the right to enter their home for the purposes of conducting a full investigation.

Mr. Estrada didn’t understand. He thought government employees had no rights to enter private dwellings without first obtaining a court order to do so — the detective insisted that was not the case.

Let me explain the reason for our visit, the social worker said after obtaining permission to step inside. Your son’s behavior is of the utmost concern. When we receive referrals like this one, we have to ensure the offending juvenile has a safe home environment.

I understand, Mr. Estrada replied.

I would like to begin my assessment by speaking with Carlos, the lady said. Is there a room where I can interview him alone?

Carlos squirmed nervously.

He wasn’t the only one who was uncomfortable. Mr. Estrada wanted to tell the officials to hit the road and that he didn’t care if the door hit them where the good Lord split them. It was his home, his castle and his domain. As a citizen of the United States of America he felt he had the right to decide what took place there. But they had already been through all of that. The freedom he thought he had was all but a myth.

Still, if he could prevent Carlos from having to be alone with her, it would at least relieve some of the tension in the room. Our son doesn’t like to be questioned by adults he doesn’t know, he said. Even when we go to doctors or to see his probation officer, he wants me or his Ma to be present with him.

The social worker casually pushed a strand of hair out of her face. We can’t take any chances. If you or his mother are in the room, Carlos may not be comfortable disclosing the truth about any abuse or neglect that may be occurring here.

The picture was becoming more clear. So, you’re here to see if my wife and I are abusive?

The social worker nodded, Afraid so.

Unreal! Unbelievable! Our son gets in trouble, so you come out here to interrogate his parents?

I’m just doing my job, sir. Do you have a place where I can interview him alone or would you prefer I take him down to my office?

That lady meant business. Mr. Estrada could tell standing up to her was only going to spell more trouble than it was worth. You can do it here, he grumbled. Carlos, why don’t you take this lady to your room?

The thirteen-year-old stood with his