I hardly slept at all the night after Olivia\u2019s father had left. I had worked so hard to convince myself that no one in my life cared enough to get me out. But I had greatly underestimated Olivia\u2019s determination. I was eternally grateful for her.<\/p>\n
I knew it was morning when there was a loud rapping at my cell. I sat up to see one of the guards. \u201cGood news, Hanson. You\u2019re getting out today. Someone posted your bail.\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded, standing up immediately. The officer entered my cell and put me in handcuffs, explaining that it was solely for my safety and his.<\/p>\n
He led me down the prison halls and into a less-intimidating room. The cinderblocks had been painted an off white color, and the concrete floor had been covered with vinyl white tiles.<\/p>\n
The officer removed my handcuffs at last and ushered me toward a glass window. A woman sitting behind the window opened a box with my name on it, and counted out my personal items. There wasn\u2019t much, just my wallet, my keys, and my clothes.<\/p>\n
She informed me I could change in a washroom right across from her window, and leave my prison jumpsuit in the bin.<\/p>\n
I went into the bathroom and changed slowly. I wasn\u2019t in any rush. Being out in society after who knew how long was going to take some adjusting. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I looked as if I\u2019d aged about thirty years since I\u2019d last seen myself. My hair was a mess, and I was growing a beard. I needed a shower, and a good shave. I needed to wash a lot of grime off my skin and brush my teeth.<\/p>\n
I wasn\u2019t sure who was picking me up, or if anyone was picking me up at all. I wondered if the guards would give me cab fare or something. But after that I didn\u2019t know where I could stay. Judge James said I could stay with him, but I wasn\u2019t sure if I could face Olivia. Not after all I\u2019d done to hurt her.<\/p>\n
I checked my wallet, to buy time more than to verify the contents of it.<\/p>\n
I walked out into the first room, where the woman behind the counter had her head down and was writing. The guard who had brought me in was waiting impatiently.<\/p>\n
I crossed to the glass and the woman pushed a ballpoint pen and a sheet of paper toward me. \u201cSign at the X please.\u201d She smiled warmly. I knew already she was a decent person.<\/p>\n
I scribbled my name on the line and passed the paper back to her under the glass. \u201cWhat happens now?\u201d I asked her.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow you get on with your life.\u201d She smiled warmly at me. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t ever want to see you back here again, you understand?\u201d She asked in a thick southern accent.<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cOkay. Thanks.\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n
The officer took my arm. \u201cThis way, Hanson.\u201d He said. He unlocked a heavy metal door and ushered me through it. There was a long hallway, which seemed to take forever to go through. When I reached the end, there was a small waiting room with plastic, hard looking chairs.<\/p>\n
I could see out the windows that the sun was barely up. It was fairly dark outside, and the clouds were hanging low in the sky. Even though it was overcast, the room felt overly lit. My eyes burned from the brightness.<\/p>\n
It took me a few extra minutes to realize there was a woman standing in the corner of the room. Her arms were folded over herself, like she was trying to hold herself together. I recognized the familiar black pea coat, and the soft brown curls. The familiar curls were pulled back into a high ponytail, but hung lifelessly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlivia?\u201d I asked, my voice croaking.<\/p>\n
Olivia spun around immediately. \u201cIsaac!\u201d She breathed.<\/p>\n
She crossed the room and threw her arms around me. \u201cOh! Isaac! You\u2019re okay\u2026\u201d She breathed. She was reassuring herself and not me, I was sure of it.<\/p>\n
I crushed her closer to me, holding her so tightly I wasn\u2019t sure if she could breathe.<\/p>\n
I finally heard her sniffle, and I released her.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Liv, don\u2019t cry.\u201d I insisted. \u201cHey, I\u2019m alright. See?\u201d Seeing her cry made it feel like I was being jabbed in the ribs with hot pokers.<\/p>\n
Tears streamed down her cheeks. \u201cI was so worried about you! I tried calling every day and I tried visiting, but they told me you wouldn\u2019t take any visitors. I was so, so worried about you! Are you okay?\u201d She demanded. She laid her hands on my face softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine, Liv. I\u2019m absolutely fine.\u201d I insisted.<\/p>\n
All I wanted\u2014more than I wanted to breathe\u2014I just wanted Olivia to stop crying. \u201cEverything is going to be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia sighed, tears still streaming down her cheeks at a rapid pace. \u201cIsaac, I was so afraid I might never see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLiv, it\u2019s okay. Everything will work out. Your dad is going to help me, and everything is going to be fine.\u201d I was trying to reassure her, but of course I didn\u2019t know that. I had no idea if everything would ever be okay again. I wasn\u2019t sure what would happen next.<\/p>\n
Olivia drew in a deep, shaking breath and I wiped her tears away carefully with my thumbs.<\/p>\n
It took several minutes, but she finally sighed, wiping at her eyes. She exhaled slowly through her mouth and sunk her teeth into her lip.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should get out of here.\u201d She offered.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d I replied. I was all too eager to get out of there.<\/p>\n
Olivia slipped her arm through mine, almost as if she was afraid to loose me again. We reached her car easily; there weren\u2019t too many cars in the parking lot.<\/p>\n
She unlocked the doors and I slid into the passenger\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n
She climbed into the driver\u2019s side and buckled her seatbelt.<\/p>\n
I shut the door and rested my head back against the headrest with a heavy sigh. I felt free, which was understandable because I was free. But I didn\u2019t know for how long.<\/p>\n
I felt Olivia watching me intently, and I turned to her, forcing a smile. \u201cI\u2019m fine, Liv. I swear.\u201d<\/p>\n
She nodded. \u201cOkay\u2026 just checking.\u201d<\/p>\n
I leaned toward her and lightly kissed her temple.<\/p>\n
She seemed to relax a considerable amount. \u201cOkay. Where are we going first?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDad said you could stay with us, do you want to go home and pick up a few things first?\u201d<\/p>\n
I shook my head. \u201cNo, I can\u2019t go home\u2026 I\u2019m sure they don\u2019t want to see me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia frowned. \u201cYour parents know you haven\u2019t done anything wrong.\u201d She insisted. \u201cI\u2019ve been talking to them almost every day\u2026 they\u2019re worried about you, but they don\u2019t believe you\u2019re guilty. If that\u2019s what you\u2019re worried about.\u201d She insisted.<\/p>\n
I nodded. I didn\u2019t fully believe this, but the last thing I wanted was to argue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d I replied. \u201cI just\u2026. I can\u2019t face them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia nodded. \u201cI understand. So what do you want to do? Do you want to stop and pick up a few things?\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cYeah. Yeah, that would be great\u2026 I\u2019m starving though. Do you think we could stop at a McDonalds? I could use a big greasy burger.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Yeah, of course.\u201d She insisted, starting the car immediately. Ordinarily Olivia hated fast food. She had definite issues with watching someone devour a burger. I could tell she was trying to appease me.<\/p>\n
Olivia pulled out of the parking lot, passing through the security gates.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiv?\u201d I asked suddenly. \u201cWhat day is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia frowned briefly. \u201cUh, it\u2019s Wednesday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the date?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s January third.\u201d She answered. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just wondering. I wasn\u2019t sure how long I was in for.\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n
Olivia chewed her lower lip anxiously. I recognized the expression of worry on her face.<\/p>\n