At Her Best.

Twenty-Two.

Today was Wednesday, which meant it was Keisha's visiting day. I was practically bouncing off the walls because I couldn't wait to tell her all about my conversation with Olivia. I was beyond grateful that Keisha made time out of her busy schedule to visit me faithfully every Wednesday and Friday. Hopefully this time around the visit would be more beneficial to the both of us.

"What's got you so chipper? You happy to see me again? The name's Marvin by the way...you know, in case you were wondering." the security guard from Tuesday spoke as he led me to the visiting section.

I smiled delightfully, because even this annoying nuisance couldn't ruin the mood I was in. I was truly ecstatic, because I honestly believed that the information my mother shared with me could help my case. I was a step closer to getting out of here. I could feel it in my bones.

Security guard Marvin dead stopped, which made me do the same. We were a few inches from the visiting room and his stall was getting me anxious. He was actively listening to something in his earpiece, and I honestly thought that could wait 'til later. We stood there for a minute or so, as Mr. Marvin concentrated intensely on whatever was being said through the earpiece. I was literally itching for him to wrap up his little G.I Joe segment, because I had mind blowing news to tell my lawyer.

Thirsty ass Marvin tapped something on his earpiece, so I assumed the message was over. He stared back at me and I gave him the same look. What was the problem now? He shook his head and snickered lightly, pulling my arm the opposite direction. Oh, hell no. What was this new development? We were going the wrong way.

"Hey man!" I snapped. "We're supposed to be going into the visiting room! I need to speak to my lawyer! I need to speak to my lawyer!"

Marvin the security guard all of a sudden turned deaf on me, because he wasn't even giving me an explanation for this change of plans. I know I shouldn't try to fight him, that action alone would put me in more trouble than I already was. But got damn it I had enough. I felt like I was so close yet so far. I couldn't do much because I was handcuffed, but I still had to give some type of stance. So I tried my hardest to yank away from him, shit I even tried to put my foot down so I was somewhat undraggable. But that only made this man scoop me up and placed me over his shoulder, carrying me to an unidentified location.

I was kicking and screaming like crazy. From the outside looking in, it looked like I was throwing a tantrum. But I was just so tired. I was so over being at this damn place, and now I wasn't even going to see Keisha.

However, I quickly calmed down when I realized that Marvin was taking me to the same interrogation room I was in when I found out I was going to be locked up. The very annoyed security guard placed me down in a seat and looked at me with irritation. Shit, he could have said we were coming here in the first place and maybe I wouldn't have caused such a scene.

"You a crazy ass bitch. I don't like that." Marvin snapped.

I shrugged. "You ain't seen the half of it. Where's my lawyer?"

"She's coming." Marvin answered. "She brought someone with her and that person wanted to meet more privately. Seems like you got some high connects. I'll see you later sweet thang."

I rolled my eyes as Marvin left me alone in the interrogation room. This room brought back so many sad memories. I wished Keisha and whoever she brought didn't want to meet here. Fortunately, I didn't have to sulk in those feelings for too long because Keisha came barging in with her guest strolling behind her. And I couldn't wait for my longest college friend to sit down and explain why the fuck she, myself, and Jamal Mason were all in the same room.

It was quiet for a moment, as we all stared at each other. Mason was the last person I expected to see here today, and his presence was leaving me conflicted. We didn't exactly leave on the best terms, and now here he is looking at me with kind eyes and a small smile. I didn't know what the fuck was going on, but it had my guard standing taller than ever before.

"As fucked up as all of this is...orange is so your color Raja." Mason joked, chuckling lightly.

I stared at Jamal in disbelief. "Look here you fuck. I don't know what the hell you're doing here or why Keisha thought you coming here was a good idea, but you need to get to steppin'. If this is about your money, I hope you don't think you're gonna find it here."

Jamal frowned. "Damn Raja, I can't joke with you now? Relax. If I wanted or even cared about that money, best believe I would have it. You know how I get down. That's not what this visit is about."

"Then what?" I annoyingly asked. "What the fuck do you want? Because I know you ain't here to play catch up. You came to make fun of me? Is that it? You wanted to see the downfall of Raja in person? Trust me Mason, there's nothing you can say or do that'll make me feel any worse than I already do."

Jamal sighed. "Can you stop?"

"Stop what?" I barked back.

"Stop being so damn defensive. Stop being so damn stubborn thinking everyone's out to get you. I came to help you La'Raja. That's why I linked with Keisha. I wanna help you fix this. I'm going to help you fix this." Jamal said.

I glanced over at Keisha who nodded, backing up Mason's statements. See, this some bullshit right here. I've been learning in jail therapy to be more open minded, forgiving and all that jazz...but being on the fence was simply in my core. Call it a survival instinct, but I knew a setup when I saw one.

"Honey, you can take your help and shove it up yo ass." I snapped. "You really think I'm about to accept your help so you can later shove it back in my face? Sorry Jamal, I ain't the bitch that need you. You ain't bout to go around saying that if it wasn't for you, I'd still be locked up. Fuck that. You and your 'help' can go to hell."

Jamal defeatedly flung his hands in the air and Keisha sighed restlessly. Keisha probably thought I was being extremely difficult, but she didn't know Jamal like I did. I've seen and heard him do some shady ass shit, and his latest victim wasn't going to be me. Plus, I already fucked him over. Who's to say he wasn't really on get back timing? He might be fine and connected, and I knew accepting his help would be worthwhile, but I wasn't putting an inkling of trust in this man.

"Look here Raja." Keisha said softly. "We need this man's assistance. He runs with a lot of big shots, he can get us certain pulls we need. I don't know what y'all issue is, but Mr. Mason's willing to come on board for free and help out however he can. Girl, don't you wanna get out of here? The news reports are eating you alive, it's not a good look. The sooner we prove that Peter's death was not on you, the better. So put your fucking pride aside and embrace what this man can do for you."

I stared at Jamal who was watching me just as intently. "We don't need his help and I'll tell you why."

"Oh, I'm all ears for this one." Jamal piped up.

Rolling my eyes, I slowly broke down my encounter with Olivia and shared all that she had to say. Mason's and Keisha's eyebrows raised every now and again, clearly surprised at everything my mother had to say. When I concluded, I sat back in the seat satisfactorily and folded my arms as if I just told my girls some fresh tea.

"This is actually fucking brilliant." Jamal said. "Keisha, we gotta get into that room at Raja's mom. Let's hope she ain't pull nothing down and that it's exactly how Lorenzo left it. We can do something with this."

"Already on it." Keisha answered, pulling out her phone. "Them motherfuckers thought they were smart, but they ain't smart enough. Hang tight Raja, we're gonna fix this."