Page 36 of Pen Me

“Yes, ma’am.” Thedeputy at the front desk bobbed his head.

“How– Why would a jail go on lockdown? It’s a jail. Is it not locked all the time?”

He let out a peel of laughter and returned to obnoxiously chomping his gum.

“That’s cute. That’s really cute. Yeah, things are always secure here. Sometimes, however, a situation will arise that requires us to move to a more controlled phase for a short time.” He sounded like he was about to mansplain his way to the moon.

I held up a hand to stop him and closed my eyes.

“What time will the phase move on?”

“Time? Uh–” He looked around, as if confused.

“After lunch? End of the business day? When can I come back and see him?” I hadn’t even gotten to offer Lennox’ name. I walked up to the visiting desk and was given a “Lockdown until further notice, Ma’am,” in place of a greeting.

“Oh. No, ma’am. It might be today, might be tomorrow, could even be next week.”

I squinted and looked around the room like I expected someone to tell me he was joking. I’d normally have been a little more understanding, but the walk had me hurting and my patience was short.

“Great.” I mumbled, before moving toward the door.

I didn’t realize how upset I was until I flung the door open and took off almost at a trot. The air felt good on my face. It kept the tears at bay, but I could feel them stinging at my eyes.

“Sam— Sammy Jo,” a voice called, growing louder as it did so.

I turned at the corner and Maelyn rolled to a stop in front of me.

“Get in, honey,” she called, taking one look at my face.

I sucked in a breath and let it out on a sob. Even if I wanted to refuse, I couldn’t stand in the street like this. I hurried to her passenger seat and sank down just as I lost the battle with my tears.

“Sammy, what's wrong?” she quietly asked as she steered the car down the street and pulled off into a gas station parking lot.

“I just– I just wanted to see him. I wanted him to see me. I just— wanted to see what all of this was.” I sobbed. “I don’t know what the fuck I wanted. Just… a few minutes of normal.”

Maelyn remained quiet and rubbed my shoulders.

“I don’t mean to be insensitive, friend, but– I don’t think a visiting room at the county jail is going to provide you with much normal. I could be wrong, but– Maybe collect yourself a little and rest, before you see him?”

“I can’t see him.” I exhaled and my chest suddenly felt less tense with her hugging on me. “They won’t let me. Lockdown.”

I shrugged like everyone but me knew exactly what that meant.

“Oh.” She nodded. “Well– I’m sure he would have loved to see you. You look beautiful.”

I laughed and wiped at my tears, giving a soft shake of my head. “I feel like hell.”

“Oh, Sammy.” She sympathetically huffed.

We sat in silence for a brief moment before she made a clicking sound with her mouth, “I got this.”

“Huh?” I looked over, as she shifted the car into drive and rolled us back onto the road.

“You can’t see him… But he can see you. I meant to give you a session as a coming home gift anyhow, and you already have your hair done. We’ll touch up your make-up and I’ll make magic happen!”

She crossed town and pulled up in front of a small but attractive storefront. Painted on the glass front, blocking out the public’s view of the window was, Bold Boudoir by Maelyn.

I cackled, unable to help it.

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