Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2007 03:02:13 -0500
From: Retta Michaels <rettamichaels@gmail.com>
Subject: Beginnings: With Love: Chapter 3

With Love

by

Retta Michaels

Disclaimer:

To those of you who are under 18 years of age, please get off this web
site. Your presence here jeopardizes the freedom we adults use to have an
ounce of enjoyment.

If you live in a country or locale which doesn't allow you to read these
stories, I'm surprised you're even allowed to get to this site. Use that
ingenuity to get a passport and get the hell out of that country! If you
can't figure it out, then send me an email and I'll give you the in's and
out's of the U.S. Immigration Laws. There are enough options there for
you to easily access our country. Whatever you do, do it legally.

To everyone else, this chapter is a beheamoth. I intended it to be a
cliff hanger and got physical parts of me threatened if I didn't take it
out. So, rather than take it out, I'll just show you where I was going to
have the cliff hanger and then show you where it now ends. It made it
another 25% longer this way.

Read on and enjoy!



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Chapter 3



When I was headed out to the yard, I was stopped by the housing unit sgt.
He said, "I thought I told you I wanted that boy's ass whipped."

I looked at him and said, "You want his ass whipped, you do it yourself.
When you touch him, you think about one thing. You've signed your death
warrant. Some day in some way, I'll kill you and no one will shed a
fucking tear."

His face got red and he screamed at me, "You threatening me, you son of a
bitch!"

I looked at him and said, "You can scream like a bitch all you want, but
when I'm killing you, you'll scream even louder. Don't fucking touch him,
and don't even begin to think yourself big enough to put a hit out on
him. He's a good kid and your issues with him should be left the fuck
alone."

The man went to reach out to touch me and I said, "Touch me motherfucker
and I'll put sexual harrassment charges on you so fucking fast you'll be
begging them to give you a chance to quit. You and I know this
motherfuckers got skycams all over it. My advantage is those skycams
don't have sound which will cover my ass and not yours."

He turned around and stalked off cussing me all the way. I'd probably
fucked up threatening the bastard, but fuck him. He couldn't do a thing
to me or Francisco and he knew it. All he could do was take the sleaze
ball way out of doing things and with me protecting Francisco, no one
would touch him. Hell, no one would touch me for that matter either.

If he did attempt anything, there'd be twenty signed affidavits against
him and everyone would be witness to the same exact conversation. That's
the way this place worked.

If a guard crosses the line, make them wish they'd stayed on their side.
Let them do their job, but when they come across, get them the fuck out
of here. The sgt knew it and I knew it. He'd slither back under his
fucking rock and kiss his nuts and hopefully, tomorrow he'd have someone
else he wanted to bother.

I went on down the walk and immediately, I was asked by four people about
the conversation with the sergeant. I told them and each said they'd be
there if I needed them. I looked for Francisco and saw him out on the
court waitting on Brick to finish a game.

In a huge way, I was immediately pissed at Brick. He wasn't getting paid
to have Francisco watch him play. He was getting paid to teach him the
game.

I went down to the court and saw Francisco had went to the hut and bought
a set of balls. I said, "Come on over here, and I'll teach you the
fucking game."

Now, I'm no dream player on the handball courts, but it's not that hard.
Anyone who isn't retarded can figure it out.

A court was open and I went over. Francisco handed me a ball and I said,
"Stand back about 4 feet and we'll volley back and forth. Just keep your
eye on the ball and not on your hand."

I hit the ball and we started bouncing it against the wall back and forth
like a game of four square in grade school.

After a few moments, I saw he'd gotten the knack of it and I said, "O.k.,
step back some and we'll do it from here." I stepped back until we were
about ten feet out. It took him some getting used to, but after about 20
minutes, we had a good volley going.

He was smiling and said, "Boom, I had no clue you knew how to play."

I said, "I do, but one thing you'll learn is this game will wear out a
pair of tennis shoes in about a month."

Francisco looked at me and said, "I hadn't thought of that. I'll probably
have to get another pair of shoes."

I said, "Babe, there are ways around this motherfucker to get shoes, and
if you want them, I'll get them. If you want me to play you, I'll get us
both shoes, but let's get you taught the game first."

I stepped back to the serving line and said, "I'm going to serve. It's
nothing different. You hit it, and then me. The only difference now is
you're allowed to run your sexy ass all over the court."

He smiled and said, "My sexy ass, huh!"

I smiled and said, "Well, when I'm standing back here serving and you're
running in front of me, it's hard to keep my concentration on the ball."

He laughed and said, "Well then, I'll have to do what I can to win, won't
I!"

I went to serve the ball and Francisco bent over with his hands upon his
knees. The sight of his ass bumped out towards me had my mind dizzy. I
concentrated on the ball and served it. He ran and immediately returned
the volley. I ran and got to it and gave a good dig. It returned and he
immediately ran to get the return. I ran back and got the save, and he
managed to get the scoop and put me out. His cheer was loud and said, "
O.k., you were keeping score, weren't you!"

I said, "Uh, no, this is a practice game."

He said, "Oh since it's a practice game...." and I swear the kid reached
in his pants and adjusted his cock. He turned towards the wall bending
over like he had before and said, "Serve it."

I went back and about the time I was going to serve it, he leaned over
further and moaned. The sight, the sounds, and the thoughts in my mind
had me totally forgetting about the game. He turned and said, "Well, it's
a friendly game, so I'll just give your old ass a breather back there
since you won't serve the balls."

I laughed and he smirked. I focused on the ball and served it. It wasn't
really fair because he wasn't completely ready, but he jumped into action
got a return. We vollied and this time, I managed to get a slam which
sent the ball skittering across the floor.

He smiled and said, "O.k., I'll go back and serve since your old ass
probably needs a wheel chair."

I laughed and said, "Kids these days have no respect for their elders."

He said, "Me? I respect them when they're not hawking on my ass!"

I laughed and he said, "Eiley!"

I said ,"Eiley 2, just serve the ball, your sexy ass is gonna draw us a
crowd."

He looked around and obviously didn't spot the kid who was watching us
from over under the tree.

He got back to serve the ball and I went back to him and said, "Who's the
kid over by that tree?"

He looked and said, "Don't know, never saw him before."

I said, "Well, he's watching you like you're a house on fire. If he grabs
his dick in his pocket any tighter, he'll cum soon."

Francisco looked and I said, "Made you look, didn't I? Psyche!"

Francisco chuckled and said, "You're wicked dude!"

I said, "Francisco, we haven't practiced with you serving yet. What I
think we should do is practice you serving and I'll run to get the
balls."

Francisco threw the first ball up and missed it. I said, "It's a phantom
feeling to hit it. No matter how much you concentrate on it, just know
it's there and you'll connect. It's kind of like how we'll make it out
here on the yard...just know I'm there, and you'll know I am."

He turned to me and smiled and I said, "Eiley dude"

He said, "Eiley back"

He threw the ball up and got a serve. The ball went way high and when it
came back, it was center court. I ran up and snagged it so I didn't have
to chase it.

I came back and said, "You're getting the feel of it, now about a
millisecond later and you'll be getting it lower."

He threw the ball up and served it perfectly. The ball came barreling
back directly at me and I reached out and plucked it from the air. It
stung some, and that was because it was a fast ball. It told me he
definitely had power in his serves.

I said, "That was excellent. Now, let's see if you can do it from the
side."

He looked at me and I said, "The advantage of a side serve is it gives
spin. Most people know the top serve, but to be competitive in this game,
you need the spins to keep the opponent on their toes."

I went back and showed him how I did a side serve. He looked at me and
said, "Show it to me again."

I did and he said, "O.k., let me try."

He did and on the first try, he had it served.

I said, "O.k., when you play this, don't always hit the ball at the same
height. The spins will be different and won't have them going into the
same corner as the last. If you vary the serves, you get the points."

By this time, several people had come over to watch me teaching Francisco
the spin serves.

I said to Francisco, "See the crowd? The reason they're here is because
this is so different. Most of these people have been taught by Brick and
he doesn't use this serve. The problem with this serve is when they're
out trying to get the dig to return the ball, they're most likely going
to break fingers."

I went over and said, "Guys, come here for a second."

The guys who were watching came over and I said, "When you go to dig a
serve like this, close your fist like this and get the return. If you hit
it open palmed or cupped, you'll most likely hit the floor and break
fingers. The serve is damned good, but it's not worth a fuck if it stalls
the game."

They nodded and I said, "Who wants to practice?"

Several volunteered and I said, "Francisco, come over here and we'll work
on you serving left handed. Two people can practice on the court for
these serves, so we'll give space."

We went over and I showed him the left handed serves. He looked at me and
said, "I bet you were wicked out on the courts when you were playing."

I said, "For a time, it was my hustle. I bet on the games and made a
living doing it. It kept me in grub, but it's also a fast way to get me
in a fight because when they bet and don't pay, I whip their ass."

He nodded and I said, "Francisco, a man is only as good as his word in
here. If he doesn't stand on that, you have to beat his ass. If you
don't, the rest of the freaks in this motherfucker will see you don't
stand on shit and they'll be beating you out of their bets too."

We served and I said, "Francisco, do me a favor and go get that kid over
there by that tree. It's obvious he wants to play and if I go over there,
he'll probably run off."

Francisco looked at me and I said, "You wanted to come out here because
it set you free of the cell. It looks to me like he's out here and he's
still entrapped."

Francisco nodded and went over to the guy. About the time Francisco got
to him, a guy went over to Francisco and shoved him down. I ran and
tackled the guy. I got up and the fight was on. Francisco ran out of the
way, and I did a judo flip on the guy which sent him flying.

When I got up, I saw the guards staring warily. I said, "Dude, you come
one step closer and I won't be as nice as I have just been."

He looked at Francisco and said, "You stay the fuck away from my boy."

It suddenly made sense. The boy was imprisoned by the guy and was letting
the guy control his happiness. I'd seen it all too often and it always
pissed me off when it happened. This guy's problem was he jumped the gun
and touched Francisco before Francisco got near the kid.

I said, "Dude, you just lost your fucking boy. You touched mine without
permission. If you think you can beat me, step up. You obviously don't
know me and you obviously don't know how to leave alone."

Now, I was dead off wrong in what I said, but he didn't know that. He
knew he jumped the gun, and according to prison law, he definitely should
have known he was wrong. No one touches what isn't theirs in prison and
stays healthy.

The guy looked at the kid and said, "Get your ass in the house."

I said, "What house are you in kid?"

The kid looked at me and I said, "Francisco, watch the kid and see which
house he goes in. This motherfucker here just lost him a kid and it looks
like I'm gaining one."

The guy looked at me and I said, "Say your apologies to Francisco here
you dumb fuck!"

By this time, we had Brick's attention and he came over. He looked at me
and said, "This guy's name is Venito. They live in our house."

I said, "Well Venito, guess what, it would have been easier on you if
you'd not lived in our house, but life just got hard on you dude. You've
lost a boy and you've not apologized, so you and I have got to start a
war."

Venito looked at Brick and said, "Who the hell does this guy think he
is?"

I reached out and tagged Venito in the jaw. I said, "Venito! Didn't your
mama ever teach you to find out information for yourself?"

Venito looked at me and said, "Dude, you're really cruising for an ass
whipping!"

I said, "From whom? Because I've hit you three times and you've not done
shit. Read the knuckles the next time chump and I'll put the blast in
slow mo so it's real apparent to you who the hell has your better."

Brick said, "Boom, Venito here needs to apologize. Venito, you need to
start apologizing real fast before Boom here has you on your fucking
knees. Boom here has changed in the past few days and he's started
protecting that guy over there like he's his kid, so if he is...you just
broke prison law and no motherfucker in here will stand to help you one
inch."

Venito didn't need to be told he was on trial. He sure didn't need to be
given a law book on convict law. And, he sure didn't need to be given an
injection of brains. So, all I could figure was Venito liked getting beat
up.

I said, "Brick, it looks like Venito here likes to be beat up. Step out
of the way, so I can make his dream come true."

Just then, Francisco came over and said, "Boom, step back."

Brick's eyes bulged out of his head and I'm sure mine did too.

Francisco said, "Brick, I'm not Boom's kid, so apologize. And, Venito,
unless you want your ass kicked by someone smaller than you, I'd suggest
you apologize to me."

Venito smiled and as fast as a flash, Francisco's hand reached out and
Venito's head lolled off to the side. He went down and Brick said, "Holy
Fuck, the kids just knocked him out!"

Francisco turned to me and said, "Boom, sometimes you give these
dumbfuck's too much time. I'm going home."

Brick looked at me and said, "Boom, we need to get the fuck away from
Venito here and let the guards find him on their own. You know someone's
going to go to the hole if they find him unconcious."

I said, "Brick, get someone's water bottle and I'll stay here with him.
We're going to revive him and send his dizzy ass home. The skycam will
show Francisco did it and he's not going to the hole."

Brick called a guy on the walking track and got his bottle. Brick opened
it up and poured it on Venito. Venito began to stir and I said "thanks"
to the guy whose bottle we just borrowed.

Soon, Venito was better and said, "I'll kill that punk!"

Brick beat me to it and said ,"No you won't because by the time you even
think about getting word around, word's going to be out you got your ass
kicked out on the yard. Now, apologize to us for wasting our precious
fucking time."

Venito looked at us and said, "Dude go fuck yourself."

I said, "Venito, I'm sorry you feel that way. By this afternoon, I'll
have someone over claiming your kid and you'll be a bitch by tonight."

I looked at Brick and said, "What wing is he in?"

Brick said, "D- WIng"

I said, "O.k., Fat Cat owes me a favor. He'll owe me some more. Where's
he at?"

Brick pointed to the Muslim corner and I set off walking. Brick came up
to me and said, "Boom, I'm sorry about giving you hassles about
Francisco."

I said, "Brick, I'll say it this one time and then it's over. Francisco,
in the short time I've known him, has gotten my heart. Neither you nor
anyone in this motherfucker has a clue of what that entails. If you think
you're judging him, you're judging me too. Just be his friend and I'll
stay yours. If you want to judge me, then fuck you dude, we're history."

Brick looked at me and his eyes were like he'd won the fucking lottery,
gotten a major news flash, and just found out he was pregnant all at the
same time. He said, "Boom, you're queer?"

I said, "Is it a problem?"

Brick said, "Boom, fuck no dude! I've leaned that way a few times myself,
but wow! Fuck dude, how's everyone going to handle it knowing they've all
had their asses kicked by a queer!"

I turned to Brick and said with a voice of ice, "Brick, it's not your
fucking position to go out and broadcast it like it was today's fucking
newsflash."

Brick looked down and said, "I'm sorry Boom, it's just a surprise. You're
still you and I'm sorry. We're cool dude and it's not going to change
anything between us."

I said "Well, I hope not because I've not changed. No one's going to
disrespect me."

Brick nodded and said ,"You love the kid?"

I said, "Brick, let me say that kid has more back than most of the people
in this motherfucker. You just saw him step up to me and put me down.
He's that fucking powerful."

Brick nodded and said, "He is that."

I said, "Brick, I love him. If anyone else had did that, they'd be
sucking dust off the floor. With him, he could do what he wants to me and
I'd love him for it still."

Brick said, "Man, I wish I'd find someone like him."

I said, "Brick, how about you getting that kid over to your cell from
D-Wing? Maybe today was your love connection dude!"

Brick smiled and said, "Boom, do you think we could get it done?"

I said, "Well, you'd have to ask Francisco, him knocking Venito out is
what bought him the kid, so you'd have to ask him."

Brick said, "Would you speak with Francisco?"

I said, "Yeah, but Brick, the deal is off on the coffee man. I wasn't
paying you to have Francisco watching you play. I was paying you to teach
him."

Brick said, "I'm sorry Boom. I'd forgotten I had a game called and I was
trying to knock it out."

I said, "Well, it's just as well this way because it's got the air
cleared between us. I have no secrets with you and you now know what's
new in my life."

Brick came over and bumped knucks with me. He said, "Francisco's got some
heart. He stepped right up and took care of business. We were standing
around trying to sell Venito a used car and Francisco walked in and hit
him with a semi!"

We laughed and I said, "We've got to give Francisco a nickname which
typifies a semi."

Brick said, "Mack is a strong truck."

I said, "No, there's a Mack up at northeast. I don't want to borrow
trouble by taking someone else's nick."

Brick said, "Well, Freightliner is too long and although Peterbuilt would
probably be good because you two are gay..."

I said, "Brick, leave it alone. Stay away from the gay jokes, I'm still
new to this shit."

Then it hit me! I said, "Brick, this morning, Francisco used some surfer
jargon on me and I really liked it. I'll just call him 'Eiley' and get
everyone else to calling him that!"

Brick looked at me and said, "What the fuck does it mean, dude!"

I said, "Hell, I don't know, but it's different, and I'm sure no one else
is using it, so I think it will fly with him."

Brick smiled and said, "You really care about him, don't you?"

I said, "Brick, you have no clue."

Brick said, "Boom, I do have a clue. I've been there before and I can see
it when you talk about him you've got it bad. I'm happy for you."

I said, "Brick, the feelings I have scare the supreme hell out of me."

Brick said, "They will that Boom. It's because you've been alone so long
and now thinking of someone else and considering them is foreign to
people like us. Usually the old heads get out of here and they get those
feelings for an old girl back home. That's why we never see them again.
They don't want to fuck up that feeling for anything in the world. In
here, the feeling is strange because it's with a guy and everyone
perceives us as being less if we admit it."

We walked a little further and then he said, "Boom, between you and I,
I'm glad you told me. For so long, I've seen you walking out here like a
gladiator and I was wondering when you were going to be killed. Now, I
think things are changing and I'd rather see you gain something you need,
than to go home in a box."

That statement coming from someone I respected had me feeling happy. In
this place, people don't offer their opinions and they sure don't offer
any thought they have of concern for someone. When someone does that with
me, I've always looked at them and wondered what the hell they were
trying to gain. Now, I realized the gain they were getting was
friendship. The thought being so foreign, was different. It was
good...but, it was foreign. Most of the time, when I felt something like
that, I got the hell away from it.

Maybe it's best I didn't go the way of the dinosaur. Maybe it's best
Francisco walked into my life. I sure know I feel better for it. So, with
what Brick said, I knew he was offering friendship.

I looked at Brick and I could tell he was looking at me from the corner
of his eye. I said, "Brick, I know you just offered me friendship, dude,
and if you'd said it yesterday, I'd told you to go fuck yourself. Today,
I'm telling you I'm damned thankful for it."

Brick smiled and said, "Boom, you said it... the kid's powerful."

I smiled and said, "He is that...he is that..."

He said, "I figured out the Eiley."

I said, "Really?"

He smiled and said, "Yeah, you love him...but, as far as these
motherfuckers are concerned....it means powerful!"

I smiled and said, "Brick, I just want him to know wherever he goes and
whomever calls him that, it's me telling him I love him. We have no
guarantees about how long we're in here, or what happens, but if
something happens and I'm not here, he's still going to be told I loved
him."

Brick said, "Yeah, and he damned well should know that because dude, for
you to come out and tell me it with so much feeling, I know it's true.
I've never known you to be so up front with something so personal, but I
like it. If the kid's bringing that about, then he's definitely got my
back."

We reached Fat Cat and I made motion I needed to speak with him. Fat Cat
looked perplexed as to why both of us were needing to speak with him, but
stranger things have occurred in here and he came over.

I spoke first and said, "Fat Cat, I've got a problem...well, not really a
problem, but I've got a deal for you...again."

Fat Cat looked at me and said, "Boom, I still owe you favors dude, so if
you've got a problem or a deal, then just tell me and I'll get it taken
care of."

I said, "Well, earlier on the court over there, I had issue with a guy
named Venito."

Fat Cat nodded and said, "Yeah, he's a dumb fuck who doesn't like to
listen."

I said, "Well, Venito bought himself a problem and now, he's my bitch."

Fat Cat looked stunned and said, "Wow! Are you sure you want him?"

I shook my head and said, "Oh fuck no dude, but that's the debt he
bought. So,  now I'm going to divest my fortune onto you."

Fat Cat smiled and said, "How bad do you want him wrung out?"

I said, "Cat, I don't want to know the particulars. That's your concern
because I'm not wanting him. What I do want is the kid he's got over
there moved in with Brick here. The kid's the source of Venito and I's
problem and Venito laid hands on someone he shouldn't have. He now knows
prison law and he sure knows what it's going to be like to have broken
it. Get word to the kid we'll be out here tonight to make arrangements on
the move."

Fat Cat nodded and said, "For a minute there, I thought you were going
soft. Consider it done and I'll have the kid out here tonight."

I nodded and Brick and I walked away.

Brick said, "Boom, thanks."

I said, "Brick, the deal isn't done yet. Don't be putting on your party
hat until the cakes on the table and the candles are lit."

He smiled and said, "And it's not even my fucking birthday!"

I said, "Yeah, and if this goes wrong, someone's going to be beat like a
pin'ata. "

He laughed and said, "Well, I'll tell you what. When that beating comes
down, whomever it is should really worry because between you, me, and
eiley, they don't stand a chance."

I laughed and said, "eiley especially."

He laughed and said, "Did you know Moose is on the side of the fence
we're on?"

I said, "Between you and I; yes. He told me this morning. But, Brick,
please keep this between us. I don't want to fight a war ten years from
now over it, o.k.?"

He said, "Boom, ten years from now, you and eiley are going to be out on
the streets living the 'happily ever after'."

I said, "Brick , you know....all this time, I've not allowed myself to
think about home, but that thought does seem nice. It probably won't
happen, so I need to stop thinking about it."

He said, "Bullshit Boom! How many fucking majors (write ups) have you
had?"

I said, "Well, the only one I've had was at the walls. They never went
formal with it, so I'm guessing it wasn't something which would affect my
record."

Brick said, "Boom, I'm not speaking too loud, but you need to go to the
law library and look up the code. They've redone the definition of the
term 'life term' and you'd probably be pleasantly surprised about what it
states."

I said, "Brick, don't bullshit me, what does it say?"

He said, "Boom, unless it's a murder charge, the 'life term' guidelines
have been rescinded and it's now on a 22 year scale. It means you could
be out in 2 years."

I looked at him and instantly had tears in my eyes. The thought of giving
the news to my mama would mean a lot of prayers got answered. The thought
of being home sleeping in a soft bed was suddenly within reach. The
thought of being able to go to a Dairy Queen or a Pizza Hut to get
something to eat whenever I wanted was enough to instantly make me feel
like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Best of all, the thought
of possibly having a chance with Francisco in the free world and having
the rest of my life with him was possible.

All of these feelings coming over me at once was numbing to the point I
just froze where I stood. It was more than fear, it was a full blown
pania of feelings which made everything suddenly a threat to that
freedom.

I don't know how long Brick was talking to me, but when I realized he was
standing there looking at me with concern in his eyes, I looked at him
and said, "Dude, if you're fucking 'mind-tripping' me, you just got
yourself killed."

He smiled and said, "Boom, I did the same thing. I'm not telling anyone,
but the guidelines got changed on July 1st. So far, there aren't any
appeals and no bills coming up to knock it down, so I think it's going to
stand."

I asked all the questions going which came flooding through my mind ,
"Who do I talk to? How soon will I get a parole hearing? Will I be able
to see Francisco out there? and, How long will my parole have to be?"

Brick smiled and said, "So, you love him that much!"

I said, "Brick, he gives me hope for a future outside of this
motherfucker. He gives me love and the thought of having him in my life
for the rest of it is something I'm wanting as badly as the freedom
itself."

Brick laughed and said, "More than a Big Mac whenever you want it?"

I said, "Brick, who can think about eatting when I've got to get to the
cell to tell him!"

I took off towards the housing unit at a pace which had Brick jogging to
keep up. We walked passed some people and I heard them ask each other,
"Who's Boom going after because the last time I saw him hell bent on
getting somewhere that fast, the guy ended up in intensive care at the
walls."

Brick said, "Boom. Boom! BOOM!"


I looked at him and he excitedly pointed directly in front of us.

I saw the sight and froze. Instantly, a chill ran over me.

(Cliffhanger Ending)(but not!)

There were two guards walking on each side of Francisco bound in
handcuffs.

He was looking wildly around him and I saw there were tears streaming
down his face.

Instantly, I knew.

Instantly, I was overwhelmingly sad.

He saw me and said, "Boom, it's what I told you about."

I said, "Keep your head up and I'll get you word down there."

He smiled and said, "Just keep the cell clean. " Then he said, "Eiley!"

I yelled, "Eiley more!"

Brick said, "What the hell is going on?"

I said, "Brick, his mom passed away."

Brick stopped and said, "The poor kid."

A sob caught in my throat and I said, "I missed meeting her, Brick. I
know the way he spoke yesterday how much he loved her and in a way, I was
looking forward to meeting her. I wanted her to know her baby was in good
hands."

Brick said, "Boom, she knows. Maybe that's the reason everything happened
today...so we could be together for me to tell you the news."

I looked at Brick and said, "I wish I'd been there to be with him.
Instead, I'm out running superficial errands that don't matter."

Brick said, "Boom, don't think of it that way. First of all, maybe it was
best because if you'd have been there and you saw him break down, you'd
have probably ran in and knocked the hell out of some guards. Second of
all, you're out doing those errands to give me some happiness and that
kid over in the other wing a chance at some freedom in this motherfucker.
So, don't look at it like that."

I looked at Brick and realized everything he'd said was true. Still, I
wish I'd been there for Francisco when he'd heard.

In a daze, I went into the housing unit. The sergeant called me over and
said, "Well, you'll have some alone time to rethink things. I'm not
taking the little shit's things out of the cell, so go through his shit
while he's gone and find out why he's really in here."

I looked at him and said, "You're acting like he raped your mama. What's
it to you? Because if I had and she had a bastard like you, I would have
killed you."

Brick said, "BOOM! Get the fuck in here and quit provoking the son of a
bitch."

The sergeant smiled and said, "Just read his case file."

I went into the wing and Brick said, "What the fuck was that all about?"

I said, "The motherfucker put me in the cell with Francisco because he
wanted me to beat him up. It hasn't happened so the sergeant is pissed."

Brick said, "The man is telling you to go through his shit! And
deliberately not safe guarding Francisco's possessions so as to violate
his privacy! That dude has gone insane! I'll have the lawsuit papers
drawn up for Francisco to sign just as soon as he gets back." Brick shook
his head. He was pissed.

A moment later, Brick asked, "Has Francisco told you anything about why
he's in here?"

I said, "He told me it was in regards to his mom not getting good care
where she was, so he took her and put her somewhere where they'd treat
her better. Whatever he did, it can't be that bad as he only got 5
years."

Brick said, "If that's the truth, he must've had a real shitty attorney
because all those charges should have been dropped for fear of reprisal
in the press."

I looked at Brick and said, "It's true Brick, he volunteered the
information and had no reason to lie to me."

Brick said, "Then why is the sergeant so down on him?"

I said, "Brick, maybe the sergeant's family were the one's mistreating
his mom. It sure wouldn't be a trait that fell far from the family tree
with that asshole."

Brick said, "Boom, I've got a question that's a double edged sword."

Him seeing me not make a comment, he went further and said, "Boom, I can
talk to him and possibly help him get the case back in court to be
reduced or thrown out altogether. Now, is it o.k.? Or,  do you want me to
say nothing so you can have him in here with you?"

I looked at Brick and said, "Brick, first of all, I'm not selfish enough
to deny someone their freedom. Second of all, if you're doing this to
make a buck off him, then know that I'll pay for it."

Brick looked at me and said, "Believe it, or not, Boom, I said what I
said, to see if you really loved him. You do. Now, do you think I'm going
to charge someone who is my best friend's lover?"

I looked at him and said, "Really? You consider me a best friend?"

Brick smiled and said, "Boom, I've always admired you, but today, I'm
really proud of you. You've done a lot of things right, and you've
answered all of my questions in ways that didn't think of yourself, but
others. How the hell could I not want to be friends with someone like
that?"

I looked at him and said, "Brick, when we get out of here, I want you for
a friend. Where are you from?"

He said, "Springfield."

I said, "Oh jeez, that's clear on the other side of the state!"

Brick said, "Boom, where is Francisco from?"

I said, "I don't know. It never came up."

He said, "Are you going to want to go there to be with him?"

I said, "Brick, I haven't thought of it. It might sound selfish, but
unless he's got family there, there's not much holding him to the town
except memories. Maybe he'd want to come home to my town?"

Brick smiled and said, "How about if you go over and give your mom a call
and tell her the news."

I said, "Well, I'd like to have a hearing date before I get my
parents' hopes up. They've had enough disappointments in this life from
me."

Brick said, "Boom, does your mama love you?"

I said, "What a fucking dumb assed question is that? Shit yeah she loves
me."

He said, "If Francisco had news which was as hopeful as that, wouldn't
you want to hear it from him from the get go?"

I looked at Brick and said, "I'm going to go call my mom."

I went over to the phone and got through on first dial...a fucking
miracle in this place...when she answered, I said, "Mama!"

She said, "Yeah Richard, why are you calling in the middle of the day?
You're not in trouble in there are you?"

I said, "No mom. The reason I'm calling is I have some news. The laws
have changed as of July 1st, and apparently, I might be out of here in a
couple of years."

She said, "Really!"

I could hear the excitement in her voice and on top of that, I could hear
tears.

I said, "Mom, I'm sorry I made you cry."

She said, "Hush honey, these are tears of happiness. You don't know how
many prayers have been answered with that news."

I said, "Mom, I've got some other news you might not want to hear, but
I've got to tell you."

She said, "Richard, are you depressed?"

I said, "No, I just got out of the hole and they put me in a cell with a
gay guy."

She said, "O.k., so if you don't like him, then get yourself moved...but
Richard, I raised you not to judge anyone. So, don't you be judging him."

I said, "Mom, it's not that. I think I'm falling in love with him."

She was quiet for a moment and then she said, "Richard, are you sure?
Because your environment in there doesn't offer you any girls."

I said, "Mom, don't think it's a phase, and please don't think it's
anything you did, but I'm sure."

She got quiet again and said, "Richard, I still love you. I'll always
love you. So, please don't think I won't. The next thing I'm going to say
is I think it's going to be a hard row to hoe for you, but if you love
him, then do everything you can to be sure he loves you, and then go from
there."

I said, "Mom, he does. I'd put him on the phone, but he just got took to
the hole."

She said, "What did he do?"

I said, "Nothing mom."

She said, "Richard, they don't take people to the hole for nothing."

I said, "Mom, his mom just passed away. When someone out there dies, when
the prison gets notified, they put us in the hole in a strip cell until a
shrink can get down there to evaluate him. It always takes three days."

She said, "That's barbaric!"

I said, "Mom, it's prison, it's not meant to be a walk in the park."

She laughed and said, "Are you doing o.k. honey?"

I said, "Mom, could you do me a favor?"

She said, "If I can honey."

I said, "Mom, put it on your prayer chain about me in here. I have a
housing unit sergeant that is hassling me because he wanted me to beat up
my celly just because he's gay."

She said, "Don't do that Richard. It'd be working against everything good
which will get you out of there."

I said, "I'm not going to do that mom, I love him."

She said, "Well, let me make some calls because your Aunt Marge's
neighbor has a son who is a big shot in there. I'll tell him and he'll
get something done."

I said, "Mom, whatever the guy does, just tell him not to get me in any
trouble."

She laughed and said, "Honey, they won't because if they do, there will
be a whole world of hurt put on them."

I laughed and said, "Mom, you're such a bruiser!"

She chuckled and said, "In my day honey, I was. Thankfully, your daddy
came along and since then, I've had his best interests at heart."

I said, "Mom, are you happy?"

She said, "Oh yes dear. I'm happy. I've been really lucky in this life
because I've got love all around me. It seems once I put my anger and
attitude at the Lord's feet, I found happiness."

She said, "Are you happy honey?"

I said, "Mom, for the last day, I've been happier than I've been my whole
life. It seems I'm at the point where I'm now ready to lay down my anger
and attitude too."

She said, "Honey, I'm really happy to hear that. It seems that since what
happened to get you in there happened, you've not been happy."

I said, "Mom, maybe it was me punishing myself for feeling I let everyone
else down."

She said, "Honey, when you love someone, you forgive them and you go on.
Holding onto things isn't something which gets anyone anything."

I said, "Mom, I love you."

She said, "I love you too honey."

I said, "Mom, I'm going to get off here, but I just wanted you to know
the news so we'd have hope together."

She said, "Richard, just as soon as I get off this phone, I'll be making
some calls to verify everything. Just as soon as I find out, you better
believe them people down there at the state capitol will know what it's
like to have political pressure put on them."

She paused and said, "Richard, I'll also be making a call down to that
prison myself this afternoon to get your friend released from that strip
cell. That's just not right what they do to you all in there. What's his
name?"

I said, "Mom, his name is Francisco Jay. He has the same cell number as
me. Here's my cell number now."

She said, "Hold on a second honey, I've got to get a pencil."

I gave her the cell number and she said, "Honey, where's he from so I can
send flowers to his mother's funeral."

I said, "Mom, I have no clue."

She said, "Well, I'll call the state death office and they'll tell me
where anyone by that name died. I'll get the flowers sent there."

I said, "Mom, you have so many underground sources, you surprise me
sometimes."

She chuckled and said, "Honey, sometimes in order to get by in this
world, you've got to have contacts. Fortunately, I learned a Christmas
card here, or a Birthday card there made a lot of difference. It seems
people never forget you if their birthday gets remembered."

I said, "Mom, thanks for the scoop. I'll start using that."

She said, "Honey, use the internet. It saves on writting cramps and
postage fees."

I laughed and said, "Mom, the internet has occured since I've been in
here! I love you. "

She said, "Richard, Tell that boy if he has no place else in this world,
he has a home to come to that's filled....With Love.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------

Author's Note:

Great Spot for a cliffhanger, huh? I thought so, but apparently a dear
friend of mine is so caught on in the story, she decided to speak out on
everyone's behalf.

To those of you interested, I'm creating a list of people who will be
notified to receive the next chapter of the story before anyone receives
it, please email me and ask to be put on the list. This way, you'll
receive it when I send it to Nifty.

The next item I will tell you is if you don't want to be on the list, the
stories usually arrive on their GayCafe server first. This way, you'll
have them just as soon as they're posted.

For anyone who would like to write and give me your opinions, or
suggestions, please do so at my email address either listed at the top or
bottom of this page.

To those who've written and given me encouragement, your emails have been
really appreciated. I thank you for taking the time to read the story,
and think enough of it to write the kind letters you've written. I'd love
to list you all here, but the list is really getting long!

To the one soul person who told me I was going to hell and gave me a link
to the bastard Fred Phelp's web page, I'll reply in this fashion.

You sir are reading a gay story on a gay web site. You sir read these
stories and probably reply to the one's which really get you off. I'll
take your letter as a compliment and now tell you to shut the fuck up and
use your hand to jack that flea size disappointment between your legs
instead of typing letters to me. You've been put on my spam list. YOU
know who you are, and so will every other person if I receive one more
letter!

To the rest of you,

Once again Thanks,

Rett