Part Two - Chapter Three

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Jack

One week from trial.

Not sleeping. Numb. Forgot to eat yesterday.

This morning, stopped at a greasy spoon restaurant for breakfast. Two eggs "Sunny Side Up!" I love just saying "Sunny Side Up". Makes me smile. Makes me think I can kick the shit out of all the assholes.

This place is run by an old hippy client of ours. Born in Detroit. His original 1960s vinyl LPs are playing. Jimi Hendrix. In fragments, under the guitar, I can hear two young hippy waitresses debating whether they can manage their boyfriends' fidelity with blow jobs.

Finishing my tea. My watch says I'm late. Need to go! 10 AM to midnight on a Sunday at the office. One week till jury trial.

How are you doing, Ceci?

Ceci

You are in the zone. Enjoy it!!

Saw this and made fried eggs up, sprinkled with curry powder and seasoning mix on pumpernickel toast topped with garden tomatoes.

Feeling good too!!

Jack

Sounds delicious. In my mind, even looks delicious.

Great to hear you are feeling good.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Jack

In the winter of 2005, Floyd, age 20, was living in his car in the mountains, somewhere south of Vail.

A vicious blizzard moved in from the North. His survival instincts took over and he was able to mooch his way into a crash pad of young men and riff raff. He couch surfed through the night in a deep, deep sleep until 4:00 AM, when police and DEA agents busted into the place in a no-knock raid. Floyd and a dozen others were arrested and taken to jail.

After a couple days, police put 2 and 2 together, realized Floyd was not involved and released him without charges. However, after Floyd was back on the streets, newspapers reported that the bust was the biggest in County history. Over $5 million in cash and drugs (meth), and an entire drug lab. Police also told the press they were looking to re-contact Floyd.

He drove to his parent's in Louisiana. He has never returned.

Twelve years later, Floyd contacted us to see if the record of his arrest could be sealed. It was causing him problems with college and work. We discussed the risk of awakening the sleeping dogs of the DEA and police. But he and his family decided to go forward.

So, this morning, I drove to a little mountain Courthouse.

Our goal was to quietly get his record sealed, and get out. When the DA showed up in Court, I expected a shake down and a hostile assault on our petition to seal Floyd's arrest (we had him stay in Louisiana). But the DA appeared to be very cool. She leaned back and played with the stiletto heel of her left shoe as she considered me and our petition. The Judge took the bench. Floyd's case was called. I gave a flat, colorless rendition of the facts. The DA made no objection. The Court granted the record seal.

Now, I'm driving straight out of town and not looking back.

Beautiful Morning!!

Was expecting to be fighting all day in Court. So now I have an unscheduled break. Taking my time, and plenty of pictures.

Fall in Colorado.

Hideous.

Stopped for breakfast. Huevos Rancheros. The Southwest's greatest contribution to civilization. Which makes me wonder. Ceci, if we are lucky enough to live to our 80s, 90s, or beyond; and lucky enough to hook up in a nursing home, Colorado or Michigan?

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Ceci

You used your calm Jedi voice didn't you.

Jack

Yes, followed by my frantic Jedi running-away powers.

So about Colorado-Michigan? I know it's premature. And yes, of course, I know your husband gets priority. It's the law. I accept it. And you get to fill out your nursing home dance card any way you want. That's your perogative. But I'm pretty sure that by 2040, I'm going to be at the top of your list.

First, It's my idea, so one bonus point for Jack. Second, by the time we hit our 80s, most dudes will be dead. It'll be ten girls for every guy. You're going to have to line up for me. Third, I have hoarded a stash of pharmaceutical grade Retin-A. Old ladies kill for that shit.

So, Colorado or Michigan?

Ceci

You are so funny! Thank you for making my days a little lighter. Unexpected niceties sure go a long way when the world seems so messed up.

Jack

Late night. At the jail.

The Deputies are holding me in the waiting room. An inmate had a seizure and everything behind the walls is on "lock-down".

There is a family here waiting to visit a loved one. Wet-eyed grand-parents are surrounded by an unmatched set of family. Grandpa is dressed proud. An oily Vietnam veteran hat. New Pittsburgh Steelers sweat shirt. Wheel chair. His head is high. His back is arched. He glares down the hall into the cells. He has no legs. He is defiant.

A tired guard walks up the hall and calls my name.

I'm electronically scanned, hand searched, and verbally warned about contraband. Then, the guard guides me into the belly of the jail. 20+ years, and I still have no idea how to get around in this concrete maze. We stop at a cell the size of a toll booth. My client is waiting there. I sit. Pull out a stack of paper, a law book, and begin to talk. My client hangs on every word as I explain the plea offer. He is sad. He cries.

There is video evidence. It shows him head-butting a mall security lady. Our expert collected records of him being beaten as a child. Father in prison. Mom on meth and mentally ill. When he was a boy, he was hit by a car and went into a coma. Since then, he struggles with continuous seizures. He is 24. He has no prior criminal history.

The DA read his story. She says it changes nothing. She is stuck on prison. The deal she offers sends him to prison. He accepts.

Wednesday, September 20, 2018

Jack

10 PM.  I go back in to re-visit my kid. Back in the jail. Back in the visiting cell.

He has a shy little smile. He asks me who I am. His memory is damaged from years of seizures and medication. He doesn't remember me, not from the night before, not at all. I introduce myself. He was just given his anti-seizure meds. He asks me who I am again. I introduce myself again.

I read the law to him. His eyes close. His head sinks to the table. He falls asleep. I sit guard over him. Read his file. Let him sleep in peace.

[Vote⭐ For peaceful sleep.]

Photos 1-7: Taken and owned by the authors, 2018.