Memories

Samuel Valencia

I listened to my cell mates argue over their beds as I threw the rubber ball against the wall, catching it as soon as it came falling back to me.

Their chatter began to grow louder, I could already sense that a fight would occur, but before it could, an officer came, quickly shutting them up.

"Jones, Reyes! Straighten up before I send both your asses to correctional!" The officer yelled out, the two prisoners giving each other a quick glare before going to their own sides of the cell.

"Valencia," his tone lowered. I immediately looked up as I heard my name, raising an eyebrow. I could feel my cell mates also look over at the officer, both of them just as confused as me.

"You've got a visitor, come with me." The officer finished, unlocking the cell.

A visitor? I don't get visitors. I hesitantly stood up from the ground, exiting the cell as the officer led me  to the visiting office. I observed all the other prisoners speaking to their families, loved ones, and maybe just great friends. I didn't have any of those. Who would visit me?

As we reached our destination, my eyes widened at the sight. I took a seat, the glass window separating me and the only person I ever truly loved.

Susanna.

                               
                              Susanna Martinez

    My leg shook beneath the desk. Everything just feels so unreal. Seeing him after everything that has happened, after what he did. I just hope to find answers, find out why all this happened. It has been exactly 53 days since Felix's death. I couldn't sleep for weeks after it, I was up looking at our texts, our photos, I missed it all. I miss my lover. His mother and I have grown closer ever since. I helped her plan his funeral, I helped her clean and organize his room, we grieved together.

My mind was quickly interrupted as I watched him sit down. As I watched Samuel sit down, I could feel my lips begin to quiver, my nose beginning to heat up.

My hands begin to tremble as I picked up the telephone, slowly bringing it up to my ear. I glanced down at his hands, the hands that had killed Felix. I could hear his breathing through the static, my eyes beginning to tear up as I stared at him.

"Susanna..." He called out in a gentle voice, his tone quickly lowering.

"Susanna I di-"

"Sam." I immediately interrupted.

"What have you done?" My voice began to crack, I could feel my entire face burning up. A tear gently streamed down my cheek as I looked at him, my blood beginning to boil at just the sight of him.

"Please Susanna, listen to me-."

"You killed him, Sam. You killed my lover." I interrupted, my breath beginning to grow heavier.

"Over what? Me? Do you realize how fucking shitty that makes me feel?"

Sam stared back at me, his expression remaining neutral. I shook my head, quickly wiping my tears away.

"Where did you think this would get you? What the fuck is wrong with you? You didn't just hurt me, you hurt his mother, his friends, his family! What the fuck is wrong with you?!" I sobbed out, my voice growing louder with every sentence.

I watched him lower his head, seeing his gaze fall down to his fist. I could feel people begin to turn their heads at us, but I could care less.

"Are you even listening to me? You murdered the love of my life! You're a fucking murderer! You should feel ashamed you asshole!" I yelled out once more before slamming the telephone down and walking away. Tears streamed down my face, I looked down at the floor as people watched me head back into the prison's office.

I quickly checked out, allowing the air to hit my flushed face. I walked over to the car, quickly entering the passenger seat.

"Come here, mija." Felix's mother immediately spoke out as she saw my face, pulling me into her embrace. I sobbed into her shoulder, her hands gently scratching my scalp down to my back.

She held my tightly, offering a comfort I've never felt from anyone before.

As I calmed down, we pulled away slowly, my hands cleaning my cheeks for any left over tears as I sniffled.

"He's lucky the cops got to him before I did." She joked, wiping her own tears away. We both let out weak laughs. I was glad to have her, she always knew how to make me feel better, especially in this horrible situation.

A/N: y'all ain't getting a new chapter till 2026