Olivia and I sat on the sofa. It hadn\u2019t been unfolded into a bed yet, although Olivia had told me she\u2019d made up the bed. Shed carefully folded extra blankets and laid them on the arm chair nearby. There were two pillows carefully stacked on top.<\/p>\n
Olivia shifted around, tucking her legs beneath her and turning to face me.<\/p>\n
I knew she wanted to ask me questions about being in prison. She was too shy to ask them. She moistened her lips carefully.<\/p>\n
I leaned toward her and carefully tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. \u201cYou can ask. It won\u2019t bother me.\u201d I insisted.<\/p>\n
Olivia pursed her lips. She hesitated then placed her hand on my leg. \u201cWhat was it like?\u201d She asked.<\/p>\n
I shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty much like movies. I wasn\u2019t in with the general population. I was pretty much put in my cell and stayed there. They brought my food and everything there. I didn\u2019t even get out to shower or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia frowned. \u201cThat\u2019s\u2026. inhumane.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey would have probably let me in with the other inmates after a while. They were probably waiting for a cell to open up or to see if I managed to get bail or not.\u201d I shrugged. \u201cIt was probably a good thing. The people in jail are pretty tough. I didn\u2019t want to get my ass kicked or killed or anything.\u201d I mused.<\/p>\n
Olivia nodded. \u201cWell, I guess I can be glad for that.\u201d She mused. \u201cI\u2019ve never been so worried in my life. I tried calling every single day\u2026 they told me you wouldn\u2019t accept any calls\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLiv, when you\u2019re staring at the same four walls, with no TV or anything\u2026 you\u2019re kind of left to your own thoughts. I convinced myself that you were better off without me. I\u2019m a convict, Liv. I\u2019d just bring you down. You could be anything you want to be, you could get married and have fifty-thousand kids\u2026 you don\u2019t need a criminal dragging you down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia frowned, shaking her head. \u201cYou\u2019re not a criminal. You\u2019ve made mistakes, but you\u2019re not a murderer or anything. You\u2019re a kind and honest person. You have a strong sense of morality and those are all reasons why I\u2019m with you. It\u2019s why I fought so hard for my dad to get you out. He\u2019s going to fix this all. He\u2026 he has to.\u201d<\/p>\n
I sighed. \u201cI\u2019m just not entirely convinced that I deserve it yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do. You\u2019ve learned from your mistakes and you deserve a second shot. Everyone deserves a second chance.\u201d She insisted.<\/p>\n
I wasn\u2019t going to argue with her, but I wasn\u2019t entirely sure I deserved a second chance.<\/p>\n
I moved my arm around the back of the sofa, turning to face Olivia. She lightly laid her smooth cheek on the back of my hand for a brief moment. She smiled for a split second, then turned serious again.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy won\u2019t you talk to your parents?\u201d She asked. \u201cI talked to them every day almost. They\u2019re worried about you.\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cI know, Liv. I\u2019ll talk to them eventually\u2026 I just need some time\u2026 I just\u2026 I can\u2019t take their disappointment right now. I\u2019m sure that even though nothing was my fault, my parents are going to blame me. Even if they deny it, the blame me for messing up their perfect little family. You have no idea how much they judge me. You have no idea how hard it is to be the ugly crack in a perfect surface. I feel like they\u2019re scrutinizing my every move, just waiting for me to mess up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia nodded. \u201cThey don\u2019t seem like that to me. To me it seems like they love you very much and are very, very worried about you. I am to.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLiv, I\u2019m okay.\u201d I insisted. \u201cI can handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. \u201cOkay. I trust you\u2026 but I\u2019m here if you need anything.\u201d She insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n
Olivia wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. I shut my eyes and hugged her tightly. She turned and lightly kissed my cheek. I sighed softly.<\/p>\n
The timer went on the lasagna and Olivia sprung up to her feet. \u201cOh!\u201d She quickly flew into the kitchen and opened the oven.<\/p>\n
I watched her curiously. She peered in at the lasagna, pondering over it.<\/p>\n
The smell coming from the oven made my mouth water.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlmost ready. Just a few more minutes.\u201d She told me. \u201cI should call my dad. He said he\u2019d be here, I hope he doesn\u2019t forget.\u201d She fretted.<\/p>\n
Olivia pulled her hair into a high pony-tail and wiped her hands on her jeans. She set the timer again and began reaching down plates.<\/p>\n
\u201cLiv, honey.\u201d I got up and moved into the kitchen. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you let me set the table?\u201d I offered.<\/p>\n
Olivia smiled warmly at me. \u201cThat would be lovely. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
I moved to the small square dining table and placed three plates at three different chairs. I retrieved silverware and three glasses, bringing them to the table.<\/p>\n
Olivia crossed the room with a pitcher clicking with ice cubes and lemon slices. \u201cSweet tea.\u201d She explained. \u201cI made it yesterday from a recipe I found.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCool.\u201d I smiled. I lightly placed my hand on her lower back.<\/p>\n
She stood on her toes and lightly nestled a kiss against my lips. \u201cYou have no idea how good it feels to have you back.\u201d She told me.<\/p>\n
I moved my arms around her, holding her close. \u201cI was just thinking the same thing about you.\u201d I chuckled softly.<\/p>\n
She smiled and stood up on her toes again to kiss me. Before our lips could touch the door banged open.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlivia?\u201d Her father asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight here. Hi Daddy!\u201d She skipped across the room and hugged him.<\/p>\n
My palms were starting to sweat. I wiped my hands on my jeans.<\/p>\n
\u201cI made dinner,\u201d Olivia chirped. \u201cVegetarian Lasagna.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay. In that case, perhaps we should go out to dinner, then.\u201d He chuckled, removing his coat.<\/p>\n
Olivia gasped. \u201cDaddy, no.\u201d<\/p>\n
He chuckled. \u201cI\u2019m kidding, sweetheart. How far are we away from dinner? Do I have time to shower?\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia nodded quickly. \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia\u2019s father crossed the room and extended his hand to me. \u201cIsaac, good to see you under better circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n
I shook his hand. \u201cYes. I can\u2019t thank you enough. Seriously. You have no idea what it means that you\u2019re helping me here. I need it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia\u2019s father nodded. \u201cI\u2019m glad to help a friend of my daughter\u2019s. You clearly mean a lot to her. And forgive me, but I\u2019ve checked with your parole officer and I\u2019ve seen your marks and your letters of recommendations from your teachers\u2026 you\u2019re clearly an outstanding young man. I\u2019m glad to help get this mess cleaned up.\u201d He insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you.\u201d I nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, I\u2019ll be back shortly. After dinner we\u2019ll go over everything and I\u2019ll get started on appeals first thing in the morning.\u201d He clapped my shoulder and set off toward his bedroom.<\/p>\n
Olivia beamed happily and crossed the room. She threw her arms around me. \u201cSee? Everything is going okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cYeah. He doesn\u2019t seem as scary.\u201d I shrugged.<\/p>\n
\u201cScary?\u201d She asked, frowning.<\/p>\n
I shrugged. \u201cWell, he is a judge and I am a kid who\u2019s been in jail twice in the last two years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia lightly laid her palm on my cheek. \u201cIt wont be long before he sees past that and see\u2019s what a wonderful person you are.\u201d She smiled. She stood on her toes and lightly kissed me.<\/p>\n
I was slightly uncomfortable. I wasn\u2019t exactly comfortable kissing a girl who\u2019s father was in the next room.<\/p>\n