“I’m not sure how I can help you.”
Reeves let out a deep breath and leaned against the wall opposite of Andrew. He stared at the prisoner debating if what he was about to do was a good idea or not. He then remembered his wife’s beautiful face and the look of shock as he promised her something so unique that she would immediately love it.
“I was thinking maybe you could draw a picture of her and then I could get it framed. That would be original wouldn’t it?” Reeves asked questioningly.
“You want me to draw a picture of your wife?” Andrew replied, stunned.
Reeves immediately reached in his back pocket and pulled out several pictures and a rolled up magazine. He handed them to Andrew and opened up the magazine which automatically fell to a photo shoot of a voluptuous blonde who Andrew immediately recognized. Andrew didn’t watch many movies and certainly didn’t keep up with the goings on in Hollywood but he had seen this actress on many walls. As he recalled, the prison had even showed her latest film about a month ago, there wasn’t an empty seat available. They had to show it twice.
“You’re married to Skylar Chase?” Andrew asked louder than he should have.
Reeves immediately brought his finger to his mouth and made a 'shhhing' sound, while frowning. “Yes, we are going on our ten year anniversary and I want to do something special, hence the drawing of her.”
“You’re aware that half the men in this prison jack off to posters of her, right?” Andrew replied with a chuckle, and then thought to himself that it was likely more than half.
Reeves laughed before getting a very serious expression on his face. “Of course I know that. That’s why no one knows. You are the first prisoner I have ever told and if it gets out I swear to God I’ll kill you.”
Andrew shook his head and tried not to smile. He was trying to picture Reeves and Ms. Chase married. It was funny that Andrew had no concept that Reeves could possibly have a wife out there. He never wore a ring, not that Andrew was looking for one but he was definitely surprised.
“So can you do it or not?” Reeves asked impatiently.
“Yeah, sure, umm, when do you need it?”
“By next Wednesday, so that I have time to have it framed and wrapped nice and pretty.”
Andrew once again had to stifle a laugh because he knew that Reeves would likely beat the crap out of him if he suspected that Andrew was making fun of him. But it was pretty funny hearing him talk about his anniversary.
“Okay, well, give me a few days to come up with a variety of sketches and then you can pick the one you like best. And, get me an 11 x 14 artist board. You can get something a little bigger if you want, but not larger than a 16 x 18 or I won’t be able to get it done in time. The boards are white and kind of thick and you should be able to find them at any art supply store. The sketch you pick out I will draw on the board. Sound okay?”
He bounced on the balls of his feet. “Sounds fantastic!” he said, smiling that happy go lucky smile of his.
He started to walk out of my cell when Andrew cleared his throat, “Hey, you aren’t going to get in trouble for this are you?”
Reeves didn’t reply as he stepped out of the cell. All Andrew heard was his laughter as he walked down the hall and then suddenly his tone changed. Andrew heard him shouting at someone down the way and then his baton hit the bars of the railing. Andrew shook his head and looked at the pictures he had given him which were candid shots of her at what was likely her and Reeves home. There were some pictures of her with a dog, one with her in a silly hat and another where she was sun bathing by a pool.
“Boy, there are people that would pay big money for these,” he mused aloud.
Andrew shook his head knowing damn well he wouldn’t sell them. As he admired the pictures he noticed that she looked really happy and he wondered if Reeves had taken the pictures. Sadness bloomed in him that he quickly pushed aside. He picked up the magazine and began to look through the magazine spread.
“I don’t want to copy a picture, that’s a cheap way out. He wants something original for his wife and after all the help he has given me over the years I want to do something nice for him.”
Andrew stared at the pictures for a long while until he thought he had her in his head well enough that he could draw her. He glanced at the unwritten letter and put it between a few pages, thinking he would get to it later, perhaps he might have something to write about after all.
~*~
“Well, what do you think?” Andrew asked anxiously.
Reeves stood in the middle of the cell holding up the most beautiful interpretation of his wife that he had ever seen. There were small flowers that he didn’t know the name of, intermixing with her long blonde hair which cascaded around her face in waves. She was looking towards him although he could not see himself in the picture. There was only his hand visible. It was outstretched towards her, the fingers curling slightly as if beckoning her to him.
“How… how did you come up with this from what I gave you?”
Andrew smiled relieved. “I don’t know. It just came to me. Do you think she’ll like it?”
Reeves looked up at him in shock. “Are you serious? She’s gonna love it! This is the one I want on the artist board.”
Andrew nodded. He couldn’t contain the smile that was spreading across his face. He had never really drawn anything for anyone else and rarely showed what he did draw to others. This was different though. He had come up with ten different drawings for Reeves to pick through. Reeves seemed to like them all but the wedding one he kept coming back to so Andrew knew that was his favorite.
“I’ll bring you the board tomorrow. Are you sure you can get it done in time?” He asked while continuing to look at the picture and bouncing on the balls of his feet ever so slightly.
Andrew grinned. “Of course.”
Reeves handed the picture back and grasped Andrew’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
Andrew stood there in shock. He was thanking him. No one had every thanked him for anything. Of course, he had never done much to warrant a thank you, but it was still an unusual experience for him. Reeves smiled and squeezed his shoulder slightly before exiting the cell. Andrew sat down. His heart was still pounding and he wished he had someone to talk to about how he was feeling at the moment. Someone who could help him understand what was going on. He glanced at his sketchpad and saw something sticking out of it. He reached for it and smiled at the blank piece of paper.
Olivia
I’ve been thinking about writing to you for a while, but couldn’t think of anything worth saying. It’s not as if I want you to know about what it’s like being in prison. Why would anyone want to know that but the strangest thing happened to me today and I wanted to tell someone.
He stared down at the paper, his pen hovering above it. This felt so strange to him, writing to a virtual stranger. Was she a stranger though? He almost felt like he knew her after the pile of letters she had written to him. Besides, he needed to start thinking about what he would do after he was released next year. Olivia had asked him to stay with her and her husband Aaron but he was undecided about that. He took a deep breath and continued.
I did something for someone. A friend I guess he could be called. What I did was such a minor thing, at least to me it seemed like something, I don’t know, insignificant, but he was really happy. I had been worried that he would tell me that what I did was actually just a piece of shit.
Andrew stopped and frowned. He quickly crossed out the word ‘shit’ and replaced it with ‘not good enough’ instead. He couldn’t very well send a letter to his aunt that included him cursing. If he did that she might change her mind and then where would he be, back on the streets, that’s where. He sighed and went back to writing his letter.
I’ve never really done anything that made anyone feel happy and now I’m sitting here confused. My stomach hurts and my head is going in circles. Is that normal?
He took a deep breath and signed hi
s name at the bottom of the letter. He briefly debated crumpling it up but then shook his head and folded it instead. He dug underneath his bed where he kept the letters she had sent him bunched together. He reached for the blank envelop she always sent him in her letter and slipped the sheet of paper inside. A small smiled crept across his face as he imagined the look on her face when she received the letter.
Year Six
“So, today’s the big day. Are you ready?” a voice said happily from the entrance of Andrew’s cell.
Andrew turned towards the voice. It was Reeves. Over the years Reeves had become the closest thing to a friend that Andrew had. He didn’t interact much with any of the other prisoners but Reeves looked out for him over the years. He never really wanted anything from him either, except for the picture he had drawn, which sort of shocked Andrew.
“You just got that one box?”
Andrew grinned slightly. “Yeah, I came in with nothing and I’m leaving with nothing.”
“I don’t want to ever see you back here.”
Andrew eyed Reeves who had a very serious expression on his face.
“I mean it Harrison. You have the opportunity to get your life on track. Most of these guys,” his head bobbed in both directions, “they go right back into the same environment. It’s pretty hard to walk a straight line when everyone around you is crooked. But your situation is different isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” he replied, looking to the ground.
“Take advantage of your second chance. They don’t come around every day.”
Before Andrew could reply, Reeves walkie-talkie was buzzing at him. He stepped out of the cell and Andrew heard Reeves heavy footsteps racing down the hall. There was a commotion in one of the cells. Now that was something that Andrew wouldn’t miss. Well, in actuality most everything in prison he wouldn’t miss, except for Guard Reeves. He was the only thing in there that made his time bearable. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, waiting for them to come and get him.
~*~
“Are you hungry?” Olivia asked, glancing over at him.
Andrew shrugged. “I’m good, thanks.”
“I’ve got a roast slow cooking but if you want something now we can stop somewhere.”
He shook his head. “It’s alright. I’m fine.”
Andrew turned his head towards the window, watching as Los Angeles passed him by. He still wasn’t sure about moving to Bakersfield but his aunt insisted and he had nowhere else to go. Thankfully for the rest of the two hour drive both his Aunt and her husband remained quiet. He just hoped and prayed that staying with them was a good decision. Something had to go right in his life.
Andrew sat up completely when they exited the freeway. He scanned everything. He couldn’t help it. His long life on the streets told him to always be aware of his surroundings. Old habits die hard. They passed a sign that read ‘Happy Trails’ mobile home park. They passed several trailer homes, some looked the part but many others looked like houses and Andrew wondered why they were there as well.
“We’re home,” Olivia said happily.
Andrew looked at the home as he stepped out. “Is this a trailer?”
“It’s actually called a modular home,” Aaron answered.
Andrew wasn’t sure what the difference was, but he didn’t care. It was a roof over his head. Aaron and Olivia walked hand in hand into the house with Andrew following behind them, carrying his box that contained primarily his sketch books. The minute they entered the home the smell of roast beef permeated his senses. Andrew didn’t remember the last time he had a home cooked meal.
“That smells delicious, honey,” Aaron said kissing her cheek.
She smiled at him and motioned her head towards Andrew. Aaron turned to him with a smile.
“Come, I’ll show you your room.”
Andrew followed him down the hallway to a door at the very end. It was a small room with only a double bed and a dresser. But what Andrew spotted immediately was the window. He stepped inside the room and set his box on the bed and then dropped down on it himself. It felt ten times better than what he was used to.
“It’s not much, but we figured we’d let you decide what you wanted in here.” He grinned. “It’s a fresh slate.”
“It’s fine thank you.”
“Well,” Aaron placed his hands in his pocket and rocked slightly. “I’ll give you a moment to yourself. Dinner will be ready soon, but in the meantime, the bathroom is down the hall and you are welcome to watch whatever you like on the television.”
Andrew nodded and Aaron stepped out of the room. Andrew quickly walked to the window and opened it, letting the breeze in. It was pretty hot outside, but he didn’t care. After six years in prison, he wanted as much fresh air as he could possibly get.
IV
New Beginnings
Bakersfield, California
“I’ll just wait out here, Andrew,” Aaron said as Andrew stared at the office building.
Andrew absently nodded and stepped out of the car heading towards the building. He stopped at the door that read Department of Corrections, Office of Parole. Letting out a sigh, he opened the door, hoping this would not be as bad as he imagined it to be. The room was pretty plain and unassuming. There were a few seats against the wall with a table between them and outdated magazines lying on the scratched, wooden top. Andrew glanced around. He didn’t see a secretary or anyone to check in with. His brows furrowed, wondering how his probation officer would know he was there. He glanced at the clock, noting that he was early and that at least he wouldn’t get in trouble for being late. He took a seat in one of the uncomfortable chairs and leaned his head against the wall. His eyes closed as he took some steadying breaths, trying to calm down.
“Harrison!” A deep, booming voice echoed in the room and immediately caused Andrew to shoot up from his chair.
Andrew blinked his eyes a couple of times as he stood before one of the largest black men he had ever seen. He was about his own height but was huge. Andrew didn’t even think his hands could wrap around the girth of the man’s neck, not that he would ever test that theory. The man was wearing a pair of black pants and a white shirt with black boots on. He resembled one of the guards at county, one of the tough ones that would beat you within an inch of your life if you dared to look at them sideways.
“Are you Harrison?” the man asked, tapping a folder against his hand.
Andrew’s thoughts automatically went back to all the guards at county that used to do that very same thing only they did it with their nightsticks. It was their way of making sure that the prisoners knew exactly who was in charge. Andrew decided at that moment that this guy before him had definitely worked in a prison before or maybe he was ex-military or something like that. He carried himself like a man used to being in charge and someone that would not take non-compliance lightly.
“Yeah, I’m Harrison,” he said firmly, trying not to piss him off but at the same time, not wanting him to think he could bully him.
The man motioned to an office and waited until Andrew walked passed him before he started to follow. When they entered the room he motioned for Andrew to sit down in the chair in front of the desk as he walked around it, never taking his eyes off of his new charge. He sat down loudly and dropped the file on his desk. He looked up at the man before him and then down at his desk, flipping the file open.
“I don’t put up with bullshit, Harrison,” he said, glancing up from the file, gaging Andrew’s reaction.
“I won’t be a problem,” Andrew replied, taking a quick breath.
The man grinned and leaned back in his chair.
“This here,” he said tapping the open file, “This here tells me you were in a lot of fights. Who did you claim while you were inside?” he asked, arching his brow.
Andrew shook his head, “No one, I stayed to myself.”
The man grinned once more and it seemed odd on such a hard looking face, “So who were you fucking to stay pr
otected?”
Andrew frowned and narrowed his eyes at him, “NO ONE. That’s why I was in a lot of fights.”
The man, Jamal Lewis, chuckled and stood up. He casually walked around to the front of the desk. He leaned against it and crossed his large arms, starring at Andrew. Andrew inherently shrunk back a little further in his chair and then sat up straight, not wanting to show any fear. Jamal suddenly moved and grabbed Andrew’s hands. It was a move that startled Andrew; he wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do. His gut said to fight, but his head warned him against it. Jamal started to twist Andrew’s hands so that he could inspect his knuckles, noting that they were hard and calloused much like a boxers.
“So you were some kind of brawler inside?” he asked gripping his hands a bit tighter.
“I only fought when I had to,” Andrew answered, swallowing hard.
Jamal dropped Andrew’s right hand and then twisted his left arm, eyeing the evidence of Andrew’s previous drug use. He looked up at him with a serious expression on his hard face.
“You plan on getting high now that you’re out?”
Andrew glared at him and pulled his arm away, “NO! I have no intentions of getting high.”
“Well, you better not, Harrison.”
Jamal Lewis leaned back again and crossed his massive arms once more, which Andrew honestly thought could probably squeeze the life out of an anaconda. Jamal eyed him speculatively, trying to decide what kind of parolee he would be.
“Like I said, I don’t tolerate bullshit. You fuck up and I am revoking your parole and sending your ass straight back to county. You understand,” he said calmly.
“I understand.”
Jamal watched the indignation in his parolee and laughed. He turned and walked back around his desk, plopping down in his seat once more. He closed the file and moved forward in his chair so that his large body was leaning over the desk. He gave Andrew a wry little smile that caused Andrew to furrow his brows.
Helios Beginnings (The Helios Chronicles #0.5) Page 10