Love & Contraband

The Call

The Call

Denisha paced the floor of her apartment, her mind racing. She held Dwayne's letter in her hand, reading and rereading it until the words blurred together. The urge to call him was overwhelming, but she knew the risks. "I can't call an inmate," she muttered to herself, trying to coach herself into doing the right thing.

But the thought of Dwayne leaving for Georgia and never seeing him again gnawed at her. It was now or never. She grabbed her cell phone with urgency and dialed the number he had included in the letter. Her heart pounded as the phone rang. She was just about to hang up when she heard a voice on the other end, smooth and deep, like a king.

"Hey, what's up? I've been waiting for your call," Dwayne said, his tone dripping with confidence and charm.

Denisha blushed, her words getting caught in her throat. "I... I was hoping to see you before I left for vacation, " said Denisha shyly. "O, so that's where you snuck off to, I came to medical to look for you a couple of days ago, but you weren't there. So I shot the new lady a kite to give to you," said Dwayne.

"Where are you now?" Denisha asked, trying to regain her composure.

"I'm at Richmond C.I. in state prison," Dwayne replied.

"So you're not in West Palm?" Denisha's heart sank a little.

"Nah, I was only there for an old charge," he explained.

"Well, what did you do to get locked up?" Denisha asked, her curiosity piqued.

"It's a long story," Dwayne said with a sigh.

"Well, I'm still on vacation, and I got all day," Denisha replied in a sweet, innocent tone, leaning over her kitchen counter and smiling widely.

Dwayne chuckled, sensing her eagerness. "Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you."

Denisha settled in, ready to hear Dwayne's story, her excitement mingling with a sense of adventure. She knew she was playing with fire, but the pull she felt toward Dwayne was too strong to resist. She was ready to dive into his world, no matter the consequences. Dwayne had to suddenly end the call for count.

Denisha's phone buzzed in her hand as Dwayne called her back . She answered on the first ring, excitement bubbling in her chest. "Hey," she breathed, settling into her couch, ready for another round of their conversation.

"Hey yourself," Dwayne's voice came through, smooth and warm. "Sorry about that, you know how it is in here."

"I understand," Denisha replied, her tone filled with empathy. "So, tell me more about you. What's your story?"

Dwayne sighed, and she could hear the weight of his life in that single breath. "I grew up rough, you know. Ain't had no easy life. Got into some things, made some bad decisions. But I ain't no bad person, just did what I had to do to survive."

Denisha listened intently, absorbing every word. She felt a connection, an understanding of his hard-knocked life. She wanted to protect him, to show him a different path. "You got so much potential, Dwayne. I can hear it in your voice. You could be a businessman with your smarts and charisma."

He chuckled softly. "You really think so?"

"I know so," she affirmed. "You just need someone to believe in you."

The conversation flowed effortlessly, moving from Dwayne's past to his dreams and aspirations. They talked about everything and nothing, sharing laughs and moments of silence that spoke volumes. Denisha felt a warmth spreading through her, a connection she hadn't felt in a long time.

As the night wore on, Dwayne only hung up for count. Each time, Denisha waited eagerly for his call back. When he did, their conversation picked up right where it left off, like they were old friends catching up after years apart.

Denisha found herself smiling more than she had in months. Dwayne's voice was a comfort, his stories a window into a world she was eager to understand. She felt a deep desire to help him, to guide him towards a better future.

Hours passed, and the city outside grew quiet. Denisha yawned, but she didn't want to end the call. "I'm glad we talked," she said softly, her eyes growing heavy.

"Me too," Dwayne replied. "You got a good heart, Denisha."

"You too, Dwayne. Don't let anyone tell you differently."

They continued talking, voices growing softer as sleep threatened to overtake them. Eventually, the rhythm of their breathing synchronized, and they fell asleep, still connected by the phone, dreams filled with hope and possibilities.

For Denisha, it was the sweetest sleep she had ever known, wrapped in the promise of a love that defied the walls between them.