A Long Road to Redemption

Chapter 47

Almost a month has passed since Jillian's release. For several days, Sidney felt empty inside. She felt guilty for that because she knew her friend was happy now. In the meantime, she got a new cellmate. Her name was Lisa Burnette, and she had just arrived on a drug conviction and sentenced to three years. She was a slender, blonde woman with shoulder-length hair. She always wore eyeglasses and was a few months younger than Sidney. The two got along fine, but she was no Jillian. Lisa spent most of her time with other inmates and used their shared cell to sleep.

Sidney tried to keep busy and make new friends as much as she could, but she never could feel the same level of trust she had with Jillian. She missed her and wished she knew what was happening in her life. Time seemed to drag by more than before, with each day passing by slowly. It had been a while, but she was beginning to feel the strain of life behind bars again.

Several more days passed with no visitors and no word from the outside. Mr. Brady was scheduled to visit her in a few weeks, but he was the only one. She was starting to feel sorry for herself again. It wasn't that she didn't like the other inmates; at least she liked most of them. It was the fact that she wasn't bonding with them like she did with Jillian.

One day, after the evening meal, Sidney was sitting in the commons area playing cards when the mail came. To her surprise, the guard called her name out. At first, she didn't respond, thinking it might be someone else, but he yelled out her name again and practically threw the letter at her when she got up to retrieve her mail. Looking at the envelope brightened her mood considerably.

Sidney ran to her cell and opened Jillian's letter. It was the first mail she received in months. She pulled out the letter's contents to find some pictures. Setting the photos aside, she began to read the letter.

Sidney,

I hope you are doing alright. Sorry I haven't written before; this month has been crazy. I got a job as a waitress at a local restaurant. My dad pulled a lot of strings for me with the owner, so he agreed to hire me on a probationary basis. How's that for you? I'm on parole and probation. I also met with my PO recently. Nothing too important to tell about there.

Did you look at the pictures first? I bet you didn't. Knowing you, they got set to the side so you could read the letter first—so predictable, Sidney. I put a picture of me and my parents on top but you should see the others. I remember you always talked about going to the beach and surfing. I never really went to the beach that often before I went away, but I decided it was time. So I took these pictures for you. They're not very good, but I never said I was a photographer. I got another surprise, too. Make sure you check your email when you get to the library.

This is my way of saying thank you for all you did for me. I know you won't believe me, but you saved me from myself. I wanted to stay out of trouble because I knew you would be disappointed in me if I didn't. I was angry at the world when I got there, but mostly with myself. You helped me to get through that. Now, don't sit there being all sad and lonely. Get out there and live the best you can. And don't forget to check your email.

Jillian

Sidney flipped through the pictures; sure enough, they were of the beach and ocean. The last picture was a special one. It showed Jillian standing next to a surfboard with a strange attachment. After a closer look, she recognized it as a small mountable camera on the end of the surfboard. She realized that if she couldn't go surfing herself, Jillian had done the next best thing and brought the ocean to her.

That night, she could hardly sleep, anticipating seeing the video Jillian shot. After breakfast and a lukewarm shower, she arrived at the library. She logged on to the computer using the information given to her by the prison. It didn't take long to find the video.

"Bout time you checked your email, girl," said the video image of Jillian. The wind blew across the microphone, making it a little hard to hear her, but she managed. "Just to warn you, I've never done this before, so don't expect to see a lot of fancy flying." She grabbed the board and ran toward the ocean. Sidney wanted to tell her she hadn't attached her safety line to her ankle. Right as she hit the water, Jillian remembered to attach the line. "See, I told you I've never done this," she said into the camera. "Ok, this is for you, girl," and she paddled out into the water.

Jillian wasn't kidding; she was bad at surfing. Sidney could not help but laugh at each wipeout. Each seemed more painful than the next. She caught herself trying to coach Jillian, forgetting it was a video. One particular wipeout made her cringe. It seemed to last forever, even though it was only seven minutes long. Finally, a beaten and battered Jillian made it back to shore. "Well, I hope you enjoyed that oceanic beat down of my body. Got to go. Love you, girl." With that, the video ended.

A shadow seemed to lift off of her. She felt happier than she had in weeks. Jillian was right; she had been feeling sorry for herself, but that had to end. There were people out there who still cared for her. She had a life to live even inside the confines of this place. It was time to join that life again.