My Prison Pen Pal

Chapter 9

    "It has been going well. I've been at Facebook now for two years and I really like it. What friends?"

    Kyle asks while eating some chips and dip.

    "What?"

    "You said you were hanging out with friends. What friends Lucy?"

    "Oh well, I signed up to be a prison pen pal a while ago and I have been visiting my friend Braden who is currently in prison. He is super nice and I really enjoy visiting him."

    Kyle stops eating his snack and looks up at me in a jealous manner.

    "Isn't the point of a pen pal to write letters and not visit them? That's kinda weird Lucy that you visit him. What if he is dangerous?"

    He says while showing worry and squeezing the hand I have sitting on the counter. I take my hand out of his and cross my arms defensively.

    "Kyle, he is very nice. We got along so well in the letters that he invited me to his visiting hours. And anyways, he will be released in a week so it's not like he hasn't served his time."

    Kyle chuckles and leans back against the fridge again in an arrogant manner.

    "Good luck to him finding a job with that record of his."

    I smirk.

    "Actually, he is taking Kenny's job when he leaves for college. It's a perfect fit. He gets a salary, an apartment here, and a job."

    Kyle scrunches up his face in annoyance.

    "Great, so I guess he will be around a lot."

    "Yes! I am so excited, you have to meet him! I think you would like him, Kyle. And to be friends again, we have to be friends with people that are important to each other."

    He sighs and rolls his eyes.

    "Fine, I'll meet him. But only if you go try that new sushi restaurant that just opened with me."

    I squeal with excitement. I think the wine is kicking in.

    "Fin's Sushi? Yes! I totally want to try that!"

    Kyle smiles and we continue talking about sushi until Kiera reminds me that it is 5 minutes to 8pm and I have to call Braden. Kyle looks a little angry when I walk to my room but I am used to it. When we were in a relationship, he was always very possessive. I would talk to another boy and he would threaten them, especially if he had alcohol in his system. Honestly, it started becoming scary and was one of the main reasons I was able to get over him.

    Once I am in my room, I dial the name of the facility and tell the operator that I want to speak to Braden Valencia. As the phone rings, I finish my third glass of wine and set it down on the nightstand.

    "Lucy. Hello."

    Braden greets in his rich warm voice that sends shivers down my spine.

    "Braden! So so good to hear your voice! Sorry I was not able to visit today, I was crazy busy prepping for Kenny's party."

    I collapse back on my bed and fiddle with the jewelry that is hanging around my neck.

    "It's ok, I am getting to talk to you now. Speaking of, how is it going? It seems rowdy from what I can hear."

    Braden chuckles.

    "Yes, it is very loud and it's hard to get around out there. I swear I've tripped at least four times tonight. I hope Kenny likes his party. I wish you were here."

    It might have been the wine or the butterflies in my stomach but I let that last part slip out.

    "Hey, I will be there on Friday."

    I smile and get excited. Wow, that's so soon. I wonder what it will be like to see him here, in my world.

    "I am excited. Hey I was going to ask, do you need a ride here? I work on Friday from 12 pm - 8 pm, but can I pick you up before or after?"

    "No, no don't worry about it Luce, I can find a ride there. There is a bus route that goes right in front of the facility, so I'll just take that."

    I get the tingles in my cheeks and I blush at his nickname for me. Ok the wine is definitely kicking in.

    "I like that."

    "What"

    He almost whispers with a deep rasp. I swear I can hear him run his big hands through the soft locks of his hair.

    "The nickname you just gave me. It's cute, just like you."

    I slur the end a little bit and Braden chuckles through the phone.

    "Okay, I think you have had a little to drink. I don't want to keep you from having fun. Go enjoy the party and I will see you Friday night? Or Saturday?"

    He is so cute how his voice gets higher when he gets excited.

    "Yes! I will be tired and possibly smelly after work but I would like to see you!"

    "Sounds great Lucy. Be safe tonight and drink lots of water! I will see you in a week."

    I blush and cuddle the pillow that is next to me. Ugh I wish he was this pillow.

    "See you soon Braden."

    Even when the line goes dead, I keep the phone pressed up against my ear, trying to grasp onto the feeling of being and talking with him. He is a rush of serotonin that makes me forget to think. I feel immersed in a feeling of being cared for, and I like it.

Sure, Kiera and Michelle have my back but when was the last time I was taken care of instead of caring for someone else? It has been a while, and even him checking in on me made me feel warm.

    The rest of the night is a blur. After I lost at Kings Cup for the second time, I don't see anything except slow motion memories. I have never been this drunk, and I have been drinking since I was sixteen.

Something didn't feel right.

My head feels heavy while my body feels like a bowl of noodles. Next thing I know, I am being pulled into my bedroom by my wrist and embraced by a man. I don't catch his face as he aggressively pushes me backwards onto my unmade bed. Suddenly, I know what is happening, but it's like I can't understand the situation. Everything is fuzzy and there is a ringing in my ears. I get enough mental effort together to push the body off me and tell them to get out. I think I was loud enough because he quickly leaves the room and I collapse back on the bed. All I can remember is staring at the wall with a pit in my stomach and Kiera and Michelle shaking me. After that, my mind goes dark.