Until You

Anthony

I was just about to get to the last part of the shift of my day when I heard my name over the intercom. Ann wanted to meet with me today, but today wasn't our day to meet which I thought was odd. Was this chick getting the hots for me already? I was kidding myself.

When the guard took me in the room, I saw Mike and I knew it was going to be one hell of a session.

Afterward, Ann let me hug my brother. My brother and I weren't the teary type, but we just let it out. And it felt really good. A big part of our past was starting to be put behind us, and it was scary. But the good scary. We still kept the fact that Mike killed our father a secret. Some things you just needed to keep that way.

"See you soon, bro." Mike nodded. I had two more months before they were going to let me go. I had been on good behavior and been progressing in therapy. I had hoped that I could start to see Ann after I get out and she mentioned that would be possible since she had her own office outside of the correctional facility.

The guard walked me back to my cell since lunch was about to be served and I'd have to finish work later. And that's when I saw the envelope. It was from Mindy. I read it and cried right there again, like a big baby. Here was the most beautiful woman I could ever have, and even after all the shit I put her through, she still wanted to be in my life. I swore that when I got out of here, that everything was going to change. I was going to beg my boss for my job back, talk to someone about my invention and fight hard to get my woman back. Whatever that took. And I'd take however long she needed. 

The months flew and I was ready to get out. Mike was there with my truck to pick me up as I walked out with my bag of belongings. I had an appointment to meet with Ann the following week. And from what I heard, Mike was seeing his own therapist. I walked over and gave him a big hug.

"It's good to see you out man!" Mike patted me on the back.

"Yea, finally." I walked to the driver side of the door, "And I'm never going back!" He laughed.

On the way to the cabin, since I was going to be staying there until I could fix things with Mindy, Mike asked if I had talked to her about getting out. Turning the steering wheel on our street I answered him.

"Yea she knows, but I'm not going to bother her." I continued to park and shut off the ignition, "I'm just going to let her be for a while, and when she wants me, she'll come to me." I smiled at him.

"Ah, it's like that now huh?" He swatted me and laughed.

"It's like that, I want her to see me turn my life around. I want to get my job back and continue therapy." I looked over at the lake by the cabin reminiscing on the memories with Mindy. "I want to show her that I've got my life under control." Mike nodded and we got out and headed in.

Mike set up a bed for me. All I had was the stuff in my bag, so I was going to have to start over here. I needed new things. This time, I was going to work for them.

"I just hope that fuckbag will leave her alone." I mentioned as Mike walked me in.

"Don't worry, I think I scared him off and Mindy hasn't said anything about him coming back." Good! She didn't want to be with him. She wanted to be with me. I could tell by her support and the letters she sent me. She was the best thing that ever happened to me. 

Because without meeting her, I'd be dead. And that was the truth!

I used the day to go talk to my boss. He pretty much laughed at the whole thing. I was embarrassed to have to tell him.

"You know what? We've all done shit we aren't proud of." Eddy slapped me on the back. 

"I'm glad you stopped by, because you were one of my best workers and we really need you." That made me feel good. "The guys miss you." He smiled. "You want to know what I did before I met my wife?" I was suddenly curious. "I used to sell pot and beat the shit out of people when I was drunk, maybe not as bad as what you did, but I wasn't proud of it. And when I met her, she changed my life. I believe your friend did the same thing." He meant Mindy.