A Long Road to Redemption

Chapter 52

Over the last several days, Sidney kept more to herself than normal. Changes in habits get noticed in a place where you see people every day. Several inmates asked her if anything was wrong, but she told them she was fine. The last thing she wanted to do was arouse suspicion in someone who might be watching her. She tried to keep as normal a routine as she could under the circumstances.

Warmer weather allowed the inmates more yard time. Sidney enjoyed being outside on days like this. There was no official walking track in the yard, but the inmates had established one of their own making. Sidney tried to go at least twice a week to get some exercise. It was a good stress reliever; goodness knows she needed to relieve some stress.

"Hey, Lewis," Jo called to her. "Come here, baby. Let's talk."

"Sure, Jo, what's up?"

"I was hoping you could tell me. You're not acting right, is something bothering you?"

"I'm sorry, Jo, I haven't meant to upset anyone. It's just been hard on me since Jillian left. I haven't slept well in a while either."

"I understand. You know, I've seen a lot of girls come and go since I got here. It's hard. It's harder still when you know they'll be back someday. Jillian's not like that, and that's what we want. Be happy for her."

"I am, Jo. She stays in touch, and got married a while ago. I'm happy for her."

"You've got to be happy too, Lewis. You've got to find ways to be happy. If not, you're going to make yourself miserable."

"I know. I'm happy you took me in. Life would be much more difficult if you didn't. If I've never said it, thank you."

"We're family, and I want my girls to be happy."

"Alright, ladies, let's go. Inside move your asses," boomed the voice of Ferguson.

Jo and Sidney embraced before turning to go inside. "Lewis, I want you to join us tonight. Me and some of the girls are going to play checkers."

"I wouldn't miss it."

The inmates began to make their way back in a line, but like what often happens, the line turned into a mob near the door. The guards barked out orders to line up, trying to untangle the mass of humanity bottlenecking the door. Sidney did her best to stay back from the crowd.

Sidney turned to say something to Jo, when an inmate of small stature stepped in front of her. Sidney felt a sudden pain in her side as she stepped back from the group. An inmate screamed in terror as blood began to flow from the wound in Sidney's side. The woman stabbed her again before one of the guards wrestled the attacker to the ground. Sidney stood in shock as she reached down and touched the wounds in her side. Blood covered her hand as Sidney went blank, and her knees buckled.

Jo, who had stood only a few feet away, rushed to her side. "Look at me, Lewis," she said, taking Sidney's head into her arms. "No, don't you close your eyes. Look at me." Sidney didn't speak; the color drained from her face. "Damn it, girl, look at me. Look at me." Somehow, her eyes stayed open, but she didn't speak. Her breath began to grow shallow. The warm day began to grow cold as the guards rushed her away.