“I love you, love,” Roaman replied, sipping from her tea.
“In every lifetime.”
“Meet me there.”
“Don’t beat me there.”
My hand pressed against her back as our chests collided, gently. I pulled away, daring to take another look at the dark-skinned beauty whose face resembled mine. I stretched the door of my Mercedes to accommodate me and the tea in my hand.
Raspberry.
Lavender.
Lemon.
Vanilla.
Honey.
It was an addictive combination Roaman had introduced me to years ago. I didn’t indulge often. I saved it for our solo dates and was never disappointed.
Clarke’s landscape lulled me as I embarked on the forty-five minute journey to my destination. Clarke Correctional Center was frequented in my line of work. The trip was one I’d taken more times than I could accurately count.
My left hand gripped the steering wheel, highlighting the diamond on my hand. Though its presence was enlightening, I rejected the idea of settling. And, strangely, it felt like a settlement piece.
Unless he changes.
Kason’s agenda was clear. His schedule had miraculously opened. He was more inclined to dates and dinners and days of exploring one another. However, my schedule hadn’t changed. My days were still filled with cases, clients, courthouses, correctional facilities, and calls.
One. One.
Two. Two.
Three. Three.
Leon Thomas was on the stereo, doing very little to tune out the counting in my head as my thumbs tapped the wheel. My bottom lip was pulled between my teeth. I exhaled and inhaled after each set of numbers.
Teyana Taylor’s voice followed. Involuntarily, my neck began to roll to the beat. The anxiety that swelled quickly subsided.
I’d long ago losttrack of time. Reality didn’t center itself until my tires had halted, my briefcase was by my side, and I was being buzzed into the depressing facility that held far too many wrongfully convicted Black men. The system was corrupt. While it often got it right, it just as often got it all wrong. And, when time permitted, I dedicated my time and resources to the less fortunate who had been imprisoned unjustly.
The blaring machine notified the correctional officers of the foreign object on my person.
“Step forward.”
The wand scanned my body, never reaching my breasts. They were prohibited. They concealed well.
“All good,” Lee cleared his throat. “To the window to check in.”
A wink of my right eye confirmed the deposit that would be waiting for his loyalty. The keys on his belt jingled as a chuckle fell from his lips.
“Next.”
Two women stood behind me, one carrying a baby who should’ve been home, familiarizing themselves with the world in their first few weeks of life. However, they’d been disturbed and brought to a prison where bacteria and germs were plentiful and extremely harmful to newborns.
Click.
Clack.
