Prison Chicks

Whos got mail?

((The following week))

"Inmate Faith! You have mail." Who in their right mind would send me mail? The beady eyed officer hands me a brown envelope with my name on it. It's already been ripped open, I forgot the Warden has to approve all mail that comes in and out.

"Wanna tell me what it says seeing as you nosy pigs can't keep off?"

"Enough inmate." He turns away from me and carries on handing out envelopes of all colours and sizes.

I sit on my bed staring down at the envelope, wondering who would even send me anything. Trying to work out the handwriting. Something has me fixated on this damn envelope. Do I read It do I not? Fuck it. I yank the paper from inside and begin to read,

'Camila. It was a bad move threatening me. I have a confession, your mother... she wished you'd leave us, she wished you away like you were nothing, she hated you, I hated you, we tried and tried for a baby, and you know what... If it wasn't for... 'you' killing her, we would've had a baby in 8 7 months from now. She never hated you. I lied. I'm mad you killed my love. But I... I hate you with my whole being. I hope your new home is welcoming. You bitch. I lost my love and my baby because of you! YOU CAMILA, YOU!'

Is he for fucking real? The singular quote marks over 'you', he LITERALLY dobbed himself in. I fall and break, my eyes shedding tear after tear, bloodshot sore, that silent cry so no one can hear me. But rage fills me, rage takes over. I tear the letter up into shreds, I kick the shit out of my locker, screaming. The pain against my foot subsides my rage,

"Camila!" Officer McDonaldson wraps her arms around me and pulls me back. "What's gotten into you?" She asks lightly, expressing concern.

"The bastard who framed me sent me mail, he lied, he lied, HE LIED." My voice fills with sadness, emotion. I feel her arms loosen so she can rub my arm in a comforting way.

"Officer what's happened to Camila?" I've never seen Yazz sprint, nor have I ever heard her almost cry. She takes my hand. "Camila what's happened?" Her eyes dart to the letter ripped up on the floor, she reads what's left of it before joining Officer McDonaldson in comforting me, "Oh honey..." Her usual happiness fades into sympathy.

"Inmate Gillan, keep her safe, she's clearly gone through enough." Officer McDonaldson sounds like she really cares for inmates' wellbeing. She walks out of the dorm, she does have duties to attend to.

"It's ok, shh shh." Yazz cradles me on the floor, and rocks side to side gently. I feel like a loved little baby. I feel cared for. But still full of rage, I try to kick myself loose, but her grip tightens, she shushes me, she holds me, she stays with me until I'm calm. But I'm not calm... I'm numb.

"I have a long sentence for nothing, I told them, but they never listened. I knew he did it, I knew it I knew it. To blame me for the loss of his baby... He doesn't deserve life. I could've made my sentence worthwhile in that visitation room."

"But I couldn't stand to watch you get shoved in the box."

"Why? It would be in my favour."

"Cos... I love you Camila." Those words calmed me, I looked up at Yazz.

"I love you too." She smiles, embracing me more than ever. She plants a kiss on my forehead. "But I promise you... I'm gonna kill him. I'm sorry." I stare at my newly found weapon of choice hiding under my mattress and smile to myself. I'm going to kill him.