Man Alone

Man Alone
It was as if I was now a prisoner of innocence, maybe not complete innocence, maybe a guilt filled innocence. Whatever my crime may have been, I found myself alone in a mansion for days, which seemed like eternity. Everyone was gone. Had no one checking up on me. It was a dead silent house because all I could get was light.
About a week after my release from the police, my mom called. It was the first phone call I had received in days and I had to give it my full attention.
"Hello mom. Hope you're good? I missed you"
"Your old babe is fine. How has life been with you lately?" She kind of sounded more formal.
"I feel terrible. The scenes of everything still plays in my head. It's haunting me mom"
"Have you paid your sister a visit since she has been in detention?" She asked.
"No mom. She deserves to be there. She framed me for a crime I knew nothing about." I defended.
"Framed? Steve you had your hands and name soiled. You got every lady in your world on bed and even got some pregnant. How do you still call it a framed work?"
"But mom..." I tried to say.
"No buts. You need to visit her. Her sanity matters Steve. Whatever may have happened should be left in the past. Don't make me jump on the next flight."
"I'm sorry mom. I've heard you. I will check on her as soon as possible"
"It wasn't a plea. It's an order. I'm expecting a feedback. And don't act smart on me." My mom ended the call, leaving me in awe of her new status. What has entered her brain cells? Did someone pull a wrong button on her emotions? Mom sounded strange, unlike her calm self. Florence was her step daughter, I was her true son. Why did she suddenly care more about Florence?
Visiting Florence wasn't my plan and getting my mom upset wasn't part of it either but I had to follow through mom's commands.
On the day of the visit, I had my car ready early prepared for the long drive to the prison yard. Since I haven't driven the car for some days, I knew it would need servicing to make it function properly. I had placed a call to the family mechanic but he didn't return my calls.
Sadly, I had to use the ride that way, prepared for the worst, and still prayed it carried me to and fro. Dressed in a regular jean and T-shirt with a pair of sneakers, I added a dark shade sunglasses to reduce the sun rays from my pupils. I haven't been outside for days, didn't want to lose my sight on the first attempt.
The ride would be called a smooth ride if my destiny was to my happiness. Visiting someone that plotted my doom wasn't so cool, what if I was the one behind bars, would she have visited? The thoughts clouded my head and the now lonely road appeared foggy. I had to clear the thoughts by convincing myself Florence was still my family. About thirty minutes ride on the quiet road led me unto another, which was used by the prison staffs, and other military operatives. Just ahead of me was a truck full of prisoners. I increased my speed to feed my curiosity. I wanted to know how those souls at the back of that truck,surrounded my brutal looking armed men felt. Hitting on my accelerator, I geared up my engine and within seconds, I was driving beside the truck, ignoring the warning sign gestures made by the guards.
From my wide-screen, I saw the fellows, I tried to make out traces of regret or remorse on their face. How wrong I was! They had no sign of regret. Then it dawned on me, Florence could still be demonic even after she may have served her terms. That sad reality dropped my adrenaline flow, making me lose the race against that truck of prisoners. Whatever would happen when she saw me at the visitor's quarter of the yard had to be taken as blames on my mom who made me do it. I was thoroughly searched at the entrance and had to park my car and trek a reasonable distance to meet the second gate. This place actually had the highest security concepts, maybe the inmates were more skilled that it got the warders scared.
"Young man, stop there!" Someone ordered. I turned to see a well built man with a mean look, his gun handing from his left shoulder.
"Come this way... Your hands up" I did as he said and he began touching my sides, probably searching for a gun or something. When he reached my pockets, he brought out my phone.
"This isn't allowed in there. Were you not told?"
"I'm not aware sir. I'm sorry. It is actually my first time here." I honestly told him.
"There's no excuse, not even ignorance. How am I sure you are not a spy?" He asked, giving me some more serious look. I had had enough troubles in the past days and I wasn't ready to invite another one by arguing.
"I'm sorry sir. What should I do now?" I asked. He looked around quickly, as I'd surveying the environment.
"You've got to keep the phone here with me. These phones are all save under my watch. " he said, putting at the pile of phones on a table behind him.
"That's not a problem sir. Anything else I need to know sir?" I asked again, feeling relieved.
He stretched out his hand and made the gestures with his head, tilting it sideways. I knew that sign. I dropped some notes on his palm, and he quickly put the money away. He was suddenly smiling and showed me the way ahead. Life in corrupt systems. There would always be a way to bribe one's way out of situations.
A warder led me directly into the yard through the biggest iron gates I have ever seen, and the tallest fenced wall.
"Sir, you have to wait here. Who did you say you wanted to see again?" She asked. This lady appeared friendly and was comfortable to chat with.
"My sister, Florence Nwosu"
"And you are?"
"Steve" I said simply.
"Okay, can I have that paper now?" She asked, and I handed her the paper i was giving as permit from the first gate. She glanced through it and smiled before walking away. I waited for what seemed like eternity before I saw that same warder again.
"She's coming. You've got only ten minutes" she announced and joined the other warders.
The room was kind of overcrowded with people, prisoners and visitors. Some spoke with low tunes and others couldn't keep their tears down. They cried as they spoke. I saw a lady and her kid probably, talking with a man which I suspected was her husband. The man had the uniform on and was tattered already. I couldn't keep my eyes off the couple.
"Kiddo?" A familiar voice called openly. Taking my focus off the couple, I looked up and saw my dear sister, Florence at the room entrance, her eyes trailing the whole room. She wasn't dressed to kill, no make up, no special designers, on a faded blue gown and bushy hair. Her lips were pale and dried, I could tell she already had her shares of dark days.
"I'm over here" I announced and she rushed over to me. I got up and she reached out for a hug. We held unto each other for a moment and gave up.
"You finally came. I thought I would never see you again." She said.
"Let's say I had no choice." I confess.
"I'm glad you came. Before anything else, I'm sorry Steve. I don't know how to earn your forgiveness right now but I'm deeply sorry..." She began a long apologetic time while just held her hands, rubbing the back of each palm to give her assurance.
"I already forgave you Florence, I wouldn't be here if I haven't. You are already in pressure,let's not build up more pains here."
"You're a man now Kiddo. You actually sounded very mature. Thank you honey."
You are my sister. What is the lawyer saying?"
"I don't know yet. Dad will settle things. I will be free soon. " she confidently stated.
"How soon then?" I asked.
"Someone really misses me. I understand how you feel Kiddo. I will be home soon." She said again, no remorse, no regrets. Then I knew my theory was true. Prison had its way of hardening everyone that spends a night there.
Our time was up, I had to leave. She gave me another hug and I was on my way after retrieving my phone.
There was more to come by.