Chapter 32: Book 2 Chapter 6
Colton
**06:30 Wake-up
06:30-07:15 Morning exercises, personal hygiene, and making the beds
07:15-07:45 Breakfast
07:45-08:00 Telephone calls, Leisure time for those who are not engaged in work or during this period
08:00-08:30 Morning roll-call
08:30-11:45 Escorts for those engaged in work and school, Leisure time for those who are not engaged in work or during this period
11:45-12:00 Arrival from school
12:00-12:30 Head count
12:30-01:00 Lunch
01:00-04:00 Leisure time for those who are not engaged in work or school during this period
01:20-01:30 Escorts from those engaged in work and school
04:00-07:00 Telephone calls
07:00-07:30 Supper
07:30-09:30 Leisure time
09:30-10:30 Telephone calls
10:30-11:00 Evening roll-call
11:00-06:30 Time of retiring
Tuesdays and Thursdays- Visitation from loved ones**
This has been my routine for the past four months. A constant cycle I have to live by. Wake up and do the daily tasks. Go to bed and repeat it all over again. I’ve been taking writing classes and seeing a therapist. It seems to be helping. Writing helps me vent my emotions through my troubled times. I haven’t had a problem with anyone here. Not yet, anyways. I keep to myself mostly. Javier has become a friend to me. For the first time in my life, I can actually say I’ve got a friend. Someone who I can talk to. Nobody knows that I was the one who put my father behind bars. I’m sure wherever my dad is, he’s plotting my demise as we speak.
Books and writing have been my past time while being locked up. Today I received mail. Jenna’s name was scrawled on the senders address. She. Wrote. Me. My love finally sent me what I’ve prayed for. I’ve been sitting here staring at the unopened envelope for twenty minutes now. With shaky fingers, I traced her name. Afraid this was a farewell letter.
*Was this the end, or am I being stupid?
*
“Aren’t you going to open it?” Javier asked, leaning on the wall.
“I’m—I don’t know if I want to read it. What if this is her telling me goodbye?”
“Amigo, have hope. And, maybe it isn’t. You’ll never know if you don’t read it.”
I opened the letter and a black and white picture fell out. Tears start to well up in my eyes as I picked it up. My baby—our child growing inside Jenna. I let out a breath and whispered, “Daddy’s coming home.”
“Holy shit, she’s—”
“Pregnant. Jenna is carrying my child.”
“Wow, congrats.”
“Thanks, man.”
I set the picture down and unfolded the letter. She told me how Tommy kissed her. He put his hands on her. My fucking woman. I’ve never felt so much rage before in my life. God damn Tommy. That no good piece of shit. He’s trying his hardest to take over as daddy. Trying to take my place and replace me.
*Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Like hell he will.
Over my dead body. *
“Fucking bastard!” My scream echoed off the walls.
“Shit man, I’m sorry.”
“No.” I shook my head, “It’s not that. She said she still loves me, but I have a bigger problem. Someone I know is trying to take my place.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’ll be damned if he takes her away from me.”
A guard unlocked the cell alerting me it was time for phone calls. I exited the cell and walked down the corridor. I picked up the phone and dialed Benjamin’s number. After three rings, he answered. “Colton?”
“Sorry to bother you, but I needed to talk to you—about Tommy.”
“She told you.”
“Yes. She told me how Tommy is putting the moves on my girl.”
Benjamin sighed, “I’m doing everything I can to keep her away from him. I just don’t know what to do about him. I wish he would’ve gone back to L.A. with his cousins. She still loves you, you know.”
“I know and when I get out of here—I’m staking my claim.”
“Have you called her?”
“I don’t want to when I’m this pissed off. I’ll call her later.”
“Want me to tell her you’re going to call her?”
“No.” I sighed, “I want it to be a surprise. Take care of my girl, yeah?”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it all under control. Jenna is staying with us. Can’t have Tommy butting in her life, can we?”
“Thanks.”
I hung up the phone and blew out a breath. I was relieved to know that Benjamin was handling things while I’m locked up. I can finally breathe knowing Tommy wasn’t touching Jenna. I turned and walked to the cafeteria to grab some lunch. I grinned to myself. Why was I grinning? Because when I get out of here, I was going to beat the shit out of Tommy.
Tommy has been a pain in my ass for years. He was always getting on my last nerves. There was no way in hell I was going to let him take away my girl—take away my child.
Jenna’s words from her letter rang in my head.
I still love you, but I’m not ready to forgive you. Just give me some time, baby. I’ll see you on Tuesday.
“See you soon, sweetheart.”