Page 51 of Birdy

Gently fisting the front of his shirt, I turn my head to meet his stare.His lips are right there.“I promise,” I vow.

Those two little words seem to soothe his soul. He deflates slightly, relief washing over his features. “Last shower stall. There’s a loose brick on the wall opposite the showerhead. The phone, charger, and earbuds are all there in a tight plastic baggy.”

All I asked for was the phone…The charger I expected, obviously, but earbuds?

“You brought me earbuds, too?”

“They came with the phone.” Andrés chuckles, hitching a shoulder. “Figured you’d probably appreciate them. Now c’mon, let’s get out of here before Judge sends someone looking for us. He’s probably wondering where you are.”

* * *

I didn’t getto see Judge. The inmate who was in his office when Andrés and I arrived went completely batshit over who knows what. He had to call for back-up, which resulted in Mack telling Andrés to bring me back when he showed up with Jordan and Birks in tow.

That was fine by me. At that point, all I wanted to do was get to the showers anyway, and, thankfully, the block was already back from yard time. Mari and the girls tagged along, bursting with questions regarding Andrés and Judge. My answers were minimal, mostly believable bullshit to get them off my case while Mari threaded my eyebrows.

Soon as they headed out, I was hopping into the shower and, as promised, the phone was right where he told me it’d be. What baffles me isn’t so much how he got it into the building and past security, but that I’ve been here four years and had no clue this specific stall held a secret storage compartment.

So how did he?

I’d ask him eventually.

Right now, though, I’m too wrapped up in a late-night text conversation with my sister to care. She flipped her lid when I first messaged, but after laying out my explanation, she’s calmed down a bit.

Nono:I still can’t believe we’re texting right now. I miss you so much.

Seeing that nickname on my screen has me buzzing in excitement. Forget not having the luxury of a phone all these years, this right here—simply talking to my sister—is everything. Noely’s always been Nono if you’re curious. “No” was her first word. She’d just stumble about on those chubby legs, curly hair a wild mess with her little lips puckered going, “No, no, no, no.” Sometimes she’d wiggle her little finger too. It was adorable, and she’s been Nono ever since.

Me:I know. I miss you too. Think you can come see me soon? Feels like it’s been forever since I saw your face.

Nono:I took off the last weekend of the month. I can come then?

Me:PLEASE. I need to see my hermana. Think Ma will come too?

Nono:I’m gonna say yes, but I guess it’ll depend on how she’s feeling. What are we gonna tell her about the phone, though?

Me:We’re not gonna tell her anything other than call times have changed.

Nono:I’ve got a bad feeling about this, Benni...

Me:Don’t. I got this. I wouldn’t have asked him for it if I didn’t think I could pull it off.

Nono:Don’t forget to erase the messages and turn it off before you go to bed.

I chuckle into the sheet and roll my eyes.

Me:Lol, okay, mom.

Nono:Shut up, go to sleep. I love you.

Me:Don’t tell me what to do. I love you too. I’ll text you tomorrow.

Locking the screen, I shove the device under my pillow and breathe a sigh of relief that I have a way to talk to her. To mami. None of this would be possible if Andrés hadn't come through. Tomorrow I’ll thank him properly, will make good on my—

The phone vibrates again, the buzz rippling through the pillow from one side of my face to the other. I smile, just imagining what comeback Noely has now as I reach for the phone.

But it’s not my sister.

It’s a random number, and all it says is:You still up?

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