Just has to hold on 7 more months.
Just 7.
Last birthday inside.
Turning 26 in 5 days.
A Big one.
Realizes he's now in his late 20’s.
“What happened? Where did time go?”
Nation is thin.
Average height.
Heart is Giant sized.
“Big and Tall attitude, baby gap body.”
His friend Montray used to say that.
“Friend.”
Not anymore.
Montray, tried to turn state’s evidence against him.
Him!
They’d known each other for their entire lives.
Grew up in apartments so close, they talked through the walls.
Had their own codes.
Several of them.
In the county Jail, before the discovery motion came back and showed Montray had made sworn statements, they had been unbeatable at spades.
Seemed to know each other’s thoughts.
It kept the impoverished pair with snacks and ‘soups'.
Ramen noodles, or soups as they were known, were currency, a mediocre meal tray went for 1 soup.
Just 1 of the undersized ‘chicken’ leg quarters cost 2 soups, if competition was fierce, it might net 3.
The pair had conned their way to full “lock boxes.”
Then one morning Montray was gone. Nation, was selling his breakfast sausages by himself.
Next day his attorney had given him heartbreaking News.
Evidence had later proven Montray lied.
Attempted to make Nation seem like their crime's mastermind.
Text messages proved Nation had been duped into participating.
Wanna be snitch wound up with 15 years.
Nation, pled out to 3 years.
Kept to himself for the most part.
Flew under the radar.
Didn’t gamble on Spades anymore.
Couldn’t read anyone else like he could his childhood friend.
Shines ‘State Boots’ in elaborate patterns for snack foods.
Can turn the ugly 3rd rate leather boots into glistening masterpieces.
His own boots have so much shoe polish at the toes, they glisten like ink black candy apples.
Clients of discernment purchase his supplies, those guys have multiple pairs of boots.
State gave you 2 pair, one for your work detail, one for visiting and inspection.
During inspection you were expected to wear clean shoes.
Just clean.
Warden was impressed by Nation’s footwear.
The man 'allowed' the inmate to shine his boots.
More officers requested him.
Box is full again.
He’s been on ‘detail' since 06:00.
Commissary Trustee.
It’s simple.
Gather the orders from computer print outs.
He doesn’t have any friends.
Customers and inmates.
It's cool with him.
Montray has spoiled and warped his trust.
Is surprised when he gets to the dormitory.
The other inmates have prepared a party for "The Sto Man."
Ramen noodle casserole made with chips, pretzels, tuna, and crackers, Also has a cake made from mushed up candy bars and pastries.
Casserole is big enough for everyone to get some, takes up most of a 6 foot section of the Day room table.
"Appy Bert Day Sto Man."
“Happy Birthday shoeshine Man!”
Even received a hand made Cross as a gift.
Shows that he is respected by his peers.
7 months might not be that difficult.
