Tuesday June 18, 2008
“In line for count!” I hear over the p.a. What a wake up call! First count is at 4:30 a.m. There was no chance I was falling back asleep. It was starting to sink in, just how long I was going to be here. Try and sleep with something like that on your mind. You really don’t have a choice in the matter.
Jail is run on inmate “politics,” I have no choice but to participate. The Woods’ rep approaches me later that morning. He explains the rules to me, “spit and piss in these toilets, don’t use this one, and don’t shower with blacks or Asians.” “Simple enough,” I thought to myself. Honestly, this place is so disgusting I don’t plan on using anything. The whole place is musty, damp, and dark. To move around if you decide to get out of your bunk is difficult. Everywhere you turn you’ve got some one who is staring you down. The showers looked more like a still, with bags of pruno steeping. Makes me hope that I can come out of this without some sort of disease. There I go, right back to my bunk. That’s where I plan to stay for as long as I can. I knew I should be getting transferred soon, anyways.
Later that day I borrow a pencil. I draw a calendar, as to not lose track of days. I work the numbers, 2/3 of 120 is 80 minus 15 days time served equals 65. I run through them again. 2/3 of 105 is 35. 105 minus 30 is 70. Its simple math, but I can’t seem to work it out. Every time I come up with something different. Either way, I’ll be doing at least 65 days if all goes well.
My bunkie lends me some old “Sports Illustrated” to look at. Finally! Some sort of mind occupation! I sit looking through them, even though I’ve seen them before. Then I start to think of watching sports with Raymond. I already miss sitting and having a few beers, while I talked shit to him about the Lakers. There are so many things that I can already think of. It’s not gone forever, but it might as well be. When you’re facing something like this, the only world you’ve ever known no longer exists. Get used to the “now” because that’s how to survive. But soon, I’ll be out, and things will go back to normal at the end of the summer. Or so I hope.
Thursday June 19, 2008
Same wake up call as the day before. I realize, “I haven’t used the bathroom since Monday.” I also know that I am not going to step foot in those bathrooms. So, I hold it. It’s been this long, what’s a little while longer?
What I believe was a few hours later, I hear “Warren 613, roll it up.” Finally! I was being transferred to Lacy. I couldn’t wait to get out of this place! As I’m rolling up my mat, and getting my stuff together. People catch on that I’m leaving. Like a swarm of leeches they all come running over to me. “Hey man! Let me get your top…is that a new t shirt?..What about your shoes? You’re getting new ones anyways!” Everyone wanted something, but I wasn’t about to swap clothes with them. There was no way I was touching anything that these guys had worn. All of the transfers were gathered in a room. I still have no clue what’s going on. I was new to this, unlike most people here. I just know that I’m a little more comfortable already. “You’re going to Musick,” I hear as I look up to see another inmate checking out the paperwork in my hand. It was a blessing, but now there is no chance of seeing my best friend. Who was also locked up at Lacy. I hope he is doing okay.
They send us into another room, and we all change back into our street clothes. It felt so good to wear my own clothes, but it also gave me a false sense of hope. These clothes meant I was free. Meant I was going home. But, in all reality they were coming off for jail issue in a matter of minutes. I began to wonder as to how I could be so lucky to go to Musick. Then it hit me! I haven’t seen Allison pray since she was twelve. The day before and the day I went in, she prayed for my safety. What do you know? Maybe there is a God.
I arrive at Musick, look around, and am amazed. No bars, no razor wire, and the doors are standing open! This is nuts! The guards are treating me with respect, so far. All they ask is that the favor is returned. I get housed. Real toilets, mirrors, and open air! So far this is like Allison said, “this will be easier than those camps you used to go to.” I get to thinking about how fast this time will pass. You know how when you buy a lotto ticket, and you starting making plans for the money? Well, I started planning for my release, as if it were tomorrow. But, that only snaps you even harder back to earth. I went from floating in the clouds to sitting back on a one inch thick mat that’s supposed to be a bed. I’m still in jail, I’ve got a long time to go, and this is all looking too good to be true. This only made me miss my sister more. I fell asleep
I awake a little while later, and go grab a book to read. Turns out it was “The New Testament.” I got through The Book of Matthew, and was moved to the workers barracks shortly after. Big place. Lots of windows, lots of beds, and people to match. There are about 130 men in this one room. It’s a lot like a high school gymnasium. Minus all the comforts and air conditioning. It’s so hot, I’m already drenched in sweat, and the flies were driving me insane. Mind you, I’ve been here for all of 15 minutes. Either way it’s better than where I was. I shower, brush my teeth, and finally use the bathroom. All for the first time since Monday. Just in time for lights out. I guess I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to make “friends.”
