Chapter 6

The lawyer, my lawyer, was sitting across from me, and he was not smiling. It was January 1972.

“Adam?” he said.

“I was in a fight. It did not go well for me,” I said.

“You’ve been in here for years, and nothing like this ... I mean...” he said.

“He was a big guy. He wanted more than I was willing to allow. So, he took it, me,” I said.

“Jesus! Did you report it?” he said.

“No, the guards don’t give a shit unless someone is killed or uses a weapon.

“Look, do not complain to them about this. My face will heal, And, I will just stay the hell away from Carter Wilkes and his skinhead friends from now on,” I said.

“I’m going to see about getting you outta here and into double occupancy unit. Maybe if there are two of you in the same cell, you can maybe be a little safer. What do you think?” he said.

“Okay. The doubles, that’s level two not four. Yes, if the guy in with me is an okay guy ... Level two is usually a little less likely to have the worst of the worst in the population,” I said.

“Yes, yes, it is, but you will still have to watch yourself. I guess you were in the infirmary then. I mean judging by what I’m seeing,” he said.

“Hah, it’s my anus that needed the treatment, not my face, not mainly. He tried to get me pregnant, but I think he failed in that. Like I always say, there’s an upside to everything. And the nurse was nice.” My lawyer did not think that what I had to say was funny.

“You probably did right by not reporting the attack, but if it happens again, I want to know about it,” he said.

“Okay, and yes, I will scream for help if it happens again.” The man nodded.

We talked a little more and then my man had to leave. I did get the report on how everything was going back in Phoenix. That, at least, was relatively positive news.

“Yes, I did visit him. I’m trying to get him moved to a somewhat better environment, a lower security level. He’s been inside long enough to maybe get it done. Level two is less restrictive than where he’s at right now. And, he should have a cellmate, well, if I can get it worked out,” said Horace.

“Okay, anything I can do let me know,” said Rodney. “Horace, on another note I’m glad you happened to come by today instead of next weekend as planned. Riley and I have some things to talk to you about if that would be all right. She’ll be here in a few more minutes; she’s picking up the kids from school.”

“Okay, that’s fine,” said Horace.

Just then two noisy children, a kindergartener and a fifth grader, came bursting into the room led by their mother.

“Horace!” said a surprised Riley.

“Uncle Horace,” chorused the children. Hugs all around.

“Briana, take James upstairs with you and get cleaned up. Then, the both of you can help Cassandra in the kitchen. Okay?” said Riley.

“Yes, momma,” said Briana.

“Drink?” said Rodney.

“Okay,” said Horace. Riley mumbled her agreeableness too. Rodney went to get the materials for their imbibeation.

“The martinis were on the table in front of the three in approximately four minutes, well okay, exactly four minutes.

“Martinis at 4:11 p.m.” said Horace. “I take it this is a very important confab about to take place.”

“Yes, but first, Horace please let Riley in on what you told me.” The lawyer nodded.

“Riley, Adam’s had some trouble inside. I’m going to be making an effort to get him moved to a lower level, and maybe—probably—get him a cellmate,” said Horace. Riley looked horrified.

“He’s hurt!” she said.

“He was in a fight. It was pretty bad. But in a sense it might have a good result. He’s been inside long enough, almost seven years. He has a good record overall. I think I can get him moved,” he said.

“Rod!” she screamed.

“He’ll get a good cellmate, not some asshole. I will see to it if I have to bribe somebody,” he said. The woman started to cry. The three of them began uniformly sipping their drinks. No one said anything much until Riley had calmed down.

“No limit, Horace. Please! Ge him out of there,” she said.

“I will Riles. I will,” he said.

“Horace, Riley and I have a lot to tell you, and it is very, very important; and you may well have a hard time digesting it all. But frankly, I’m depending on you, and so is Riley,” he said.

“If it has anything to do with Adam, consider it a done deal,” said Horace.

“Thank you for that. And it does and it doesn’t,” said Rodney.

“Huh? Okay,” he said.

“Horace, Riley and I ... well ... we’ve fallen in love. And, well, she’s agreed to marry me,” said Rodney. The look on the lawyer’s face was a gnat’s eyelash short of comical in a horrified sort of way.

“Okay, and believe it, I am appropriately shocked. I assume that Adam is not in the know about this, at least not yet,” said Horace.

“No, and he won’t be until he gets out or is about to, as in the case with James,” said Rodney. Riley was looking down.

“Okay, so this is another secret then, and one you need me to keep close, especially from the man?” he said.

“Yes, in a word, yes,” said Rodney.

“Horace, I know this is going to be tough for you, I mean...” said Riley.

“Riley, actually it won’t be. I understand your motivations, yours and Rod’s. Adam knowing about his fatherhood or your impending marriage to each other would leave our man totally crushed in heart and soul while he is helpless inside that place. When he gets out, it’ll still be bad, but he will at that point at the least have options and opportunities that he does not have now.

“No, while I do not envy your inevitable situation once the man is free; I do see it as possible that you could maybe make things right with him at least to some degree. I’ve seen things like this before. It’ll be tough on all of you, but handleable if you keep your heads and remember that respecting the man will be the most important thing; by far the most important thing,” said Horace. “Do not imagine that offering the man presents or money will be the key; such most certainly will not be on any level. Believe it. Respect alone is the only key.” His hearers nodded.