Page 56 of Baked

She then went on to be searched, which was always a good time. As was setting off the metal detector with her underwire bra. This was really going well. It was a good thing she was wearing layers and could get away with not wearing a bra.

When she finally made it through security checks, she was escorted to the visitation center. A long rectangular-shaped room awaited with a line of chairs along a clear glass screen. Taking a seat where the guard gestured, she sat, her heart pounding as she tried to draw in measured breaths.

The privacy screens on either side of her weren’t very private, but she supposed that was the point. There was no privacy in prison.

One minute later, she had something other than the black phone receiver to look at.

Leo.

He didn’t look surprised, because this wasn’t a surprise. She’d had to call him a few days ago to get on his list of approved visitors. But there was still something about his nonchalant slump that annoyed her.

At least he’s sober. For once.

Picking up the phone, she watched him do the same.

“Hi, Dad.” His wrinkled eyes narrowed on her. “Guess you’re wondering why I wanted to come see you, huh?”

“Let me guess.” He sneered. “You’ve joined one of those Jesus cults and you’ve come here to forgive me for my sins so you can move on with your life?”

That earned him a scoff. Only her dad could pull off being a condescending asshole in an orange jumpsuit.

“Actually, the cult needed a sacrifice, so I put your name forward. I hope you don’t mind.”

Leo sniggered at her sarcasm. “Always a smartass.”

“Those men you owed money to, they came after me.”

The color drained from Leo’s face. At least he had the decency to look remorseful.

“They shot my boyfriend. He had to have surgery.”

She heard only her father’s breathing down the line as he ran a palm over his shaved head. She kept her eyes on him. Or more precisely, she kept her glare on him.

“I didn’t think they’d come after you,” he admitted.

“Sure you did. Otherwise, why else would you tell Cody about them?”

“Cody?”

“The cop who picked you up in Woodvalley,” she confirmed.

“Oh.” She lost his blue eyes for a minute as he scrunched up his face. “That your boyfriend?”

“No. And I think you’re missing the point. Those men came after me, Dad. They broke into my apartment, they threatened me, and they shot my boyfriend. Do you honestly have nothing to say about that?”

“Why don’t you save us both the time and just tell me what you want me to say?”

Such an asshole.

“Why don’t you care, Dad? Was it the drinking that made you stop, or was it Mom leaving? Or was it both? I just need to know.”

“So I was right. You joined a cult. You’re here to forgive me and move on, right? Wash your hands of me?”

I washed my hands of you a long time ago.

“Do you think you deserve to be forgiven? ’Cause I’m not sure you do.” She was no longer nervous. She was angry.

“This why you came here ... to give me shit?”

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