PRISONER EXPRESS

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"You got a visit!"You got a visit!

"Turn out for visit."

A visit? Oh crap. I didn't know they were coming; I'm not ready. I run up the stairs and my flip-flop breaks, sending me crashing. The whole dorm is laughing/

"You think that is funny? Where is your visit?"

Crap, crap, I don't have any tight whites. I run to the next cell.

"Jason, I need a 2X tight white set."

"Three dollars!!! For Chrissake you're robbing me!"

"O.K, O.K, I need 'em."

I'm wiping my boots down, running back down the stairs to the bathroom and bam! I go crashing again.

"Ha, ha, ha..."

Assholes.

"Damn Page, cool down man, it's just a visit."

"Yeah!! Shut your trap! And Pay Jasso that three dollars you owe me."

Brushing my teeth and putting grease in my hair, I try to make out my image in the scuffed stainless steel mirror. What is that smell?

"Jasso!! You asshole!"

I run back up the stairs, careful this time, and as I pass Jasso's cell I say

"Stop keeping the tight whites on top of your hooch, they smell like shit."

I continue down six more cells and knock.

"Harbin, what magazines do you have?"

"You got a visit?"

"Yea, I got a visit, what magazines do you have?"

"Blender has a Polo and an Eternity Cologne sample, and Mens Journal has an Armani and a Sunset for Men"

"How much for the Polo?"

"A dollar."

"For Chrissake, what do you have for 50 cents?"

"Alright, give me the Sunset for Men, but don't come asking me to write your letters later."

I run down the stairs out the door. The butterflies turn into full blown dragons.

Who is it? Mom? Wife and kids? Is it bad news? Does she still love me? Is she having an affair? What will my boys look like? How much have they grown? How long has it been since...

There they are, it's them. God she is still beautiful. Please let this be a good visit, God please.

"Hey guys, man look at you! How tall you've gotten! You need a haircut."

I turn and look into my wife's eyes. The moment of truth. I look deeply. I smile.

"Are you still my girl?"

"Yes, of course, I wish you would stop worrying. We're gonna be O.K."

I look deeper. Does she mean it...yes. Thank God.

"You look beautiful, kiss me, we only have two hours.

"So tell me boys, what is going on in your lives?"

"Dad...football team...the train...touchdown...window seat...girlfriend...my teacher...all A's-"

"Whoa, whoa! One at a time, I can barely keep up with y'all!"

"Playstation...tree house...best friend...kissed her...fake tattoos...flat tire...school play..."

2 hours later...

"I love you babe, and you boys make me so proud."

"We love you too, and you'll come home soon. Don't give up."

"I won't."

They get up and start walking to the gate. My youngest turns around and runs back, grabs leg and hugs tight.

"Dad, this was my favorite trip ever!"

"Mine too son, mine too."