Page 29 of Birdy

Another piece of information I file away to build a possible case, if necessary.

“Birdy, La Jefa…those were her street names. Full name is Benita Adriana Villanueva. Some of the girls call her Benni, but you’ll still hear Birdy thrown around more often than not.”

Benni.

She looks like a Benni.

And she’s looking at meagain. Except this time,shecaughtme. Regardless, my chest inflates of its own accord, chin lifting proudly, more still when her lips quiver with a knowing smirk before returning to her conversation. Only one of the girls seems to notice the exchange—her bunkie. I think she calls her out on it, too, given the way her cheeks heat.

“Who’s her bunkie?” I ask, watching them as they huddle toward each other.

Danny makes this noise in the back of his throat, shoulders bouncing through a hushed chuckle. “Selena Reynoso. That girl is fuckingnuts.”

My brow arches curiously. “What is she in for?”

“Assault and battery with a deadly weapon, fraud, harboring an illegal alien. There’s more, but I honestly can’t remember all of it now. Let’s just say she’ll be here a while.”

Hmmm...interesting.

“How is she not in red then?”

“She’s sassy as fuck and has a big-ass mouth, but she’s docile for the most part. Works hard, too, so they keep her in B Block,” he replies. “Did Mack fill you in on how the blocks are separated?”

I shake my head. “He started to, but then he got a call and pretty much asked me to show myself out.” The bastard made it seem so important, but his tone screamed booty call.

Rodriguez hums consciously. “Yeah, he’ll do that often. In any case, this is easy enough to explain. A, B, C are where most of the inmates with better work assignments are kept: kitchen, laundry, commissary, medical, and the beauty salon. D and E have the shittier jobs like maintenance and janitorial. They’re either lifers or known to be the more volatile inmates. F and G are elderly and those with any form of disability. Most of them are assigned to the recreation department if anything at all.”

Tearing my eyes away from Benni, I turn toward my colleague and nod in understanding. “Sounds pretty standard.”

And it is for the most part. Inmates can apply for any position that opens up, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll get it, even if they were one of the first to put in their applications. Their chances drop more if they’re notorious for bad behavior and have consistent shots in their files. Can’t have a prime job when you can’t act right, feel me?

“If you have any other questions and Mack slacks, just let me know. I’ve been here longer than him.” He seems proud of that statement and far less bothered about it than I would’ve expected.

“Really? Why aren’t you at the head then?”

Rodriguez shrugs, hands clasping his belt over his obvious beer gut. “It’s a lot, honestly. Hours are longer too. Yeah, the pay is nicer, but I already spend enough time away from my kids. If I took the position, I’d never see them.”

Ah, a family man. Never would’ve pinned him as one, to be honest. “I can respect that. Sometimes the money isn’t worth what you’d be sacrificing.”

“Exactly, especially when it comes to kids. They’re only little for so long. I’ve missed enough as it is.”

I hum by way of response, but I can’t relate just yet. I don’t have kids. I’m tight as hell with my dad, though. I wanted him around for everything when I was growing up. I don’t see him as much these days after moving up here to take this position, but we check in at least twice a week.

“You’re a good man,” I tell Rodriguez, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Thanks, man. I try. Now let’s get ‘em lined up and ready for head count. Third lunch wave starts in about twenty.”

?STFD - TeZATalks

I’m shufflingthe dominoes around later on that evening when Kori Kovitz—aka Koko—catches my eye. Given the fact this is the first time I’m seeing her today, I’m willing to bet she was pointedly avoiding me around work hours and yard time. She knows she’s in some shit after this morning’s sweep, that’s why. Just like she knows she’s “the plug” in here ‘cause I allow it. If she’s gonna start slipping up and fucking shit up for everyone else though—me especially—then, she’s gonna have to find a different way to keep the cash flow rolling in for herself.

Well, for us, really. You think I’m gonna let her risk my time and not take a cut?

Yeah, right.

“Ey, Kori.” My voice carries over the different strings of conversations. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

Kori stills a few tables away. When she pivots to face me, she’s wearing her usual mask—the one that gives off that vibe like she isn’t affected by me. Then again, that’s the name of the game around here. Can’t let nobody see vulnerability.

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