Page 19 of Jane
Chapter 9
Several hours earlier…
Rory
Seven hundred and twenty hours left. Thirty days. This last month has probably been the best and yet the longest that I’ve experienced here, and it’s thanks to Jane and her rambling letters. I have read them all countless times and I’m counting on good news from Jon and Juan when they come tomorrow for a visit before the family barbecue. Just as I’m about to read her letters for the umpteenth time, I hear a call from Officer Adams, one of the more understanding, but law-abiding COs here. “Weston, your lawyer is here to see you.” Huh? I don’t know why he’s here to see me. Maybe it has to do with some paperwork since I only have thirty days left.
Officer Adams leads me into the room where I’ve always met with my lawyer in the time I’ve been in here. However, sitting in the spot where my lawyer is, is not the man who represented me at my trial and for everything since then. It’s my youngest brother, Max.
Shocked to see his shit-eating smiling face, the only words that come out are, “What in the fuck are you doing here? And as my lawyer?”
Chuckling, he looks at me with the same grin I’ve seen on his face a thousand times, which usually means he’s up to something.
“Now what kind of brother would I be if my first act as a licensed lawyer wasn’t to get my brother out of prison? I may only be able to get you out a month early, but, brother, by this time tomorrow, Ry and I will be outside and ready to take you home.”
“Wha-how-who…tomorrow… I’m going home?” Shock, amazement, and awe run through me, as tears of gratitude and joy build.
“Brother, two things. One, is the good behavior you’ve had while in here and second, is the work you’ve done. Both those should have had you out already. I couldn’t do anything till I got licensed officially and Ry got me switched as your counsel. No one else knows you’re coming home tomorrow because we didn’t want to get everyone’s hopes up. We’re going to pick you up and take you to family day where everyone will be.”
“Wait, the Js were supposed to come visit me tomorrow before the get-together. Wha—”
“Don’t worry, Ry is handling that. He’s got a story and a plan for why they can’t come visit you. Ma and Pa don’t even know I’m back yet.”
“Are you back for good or just a visit?”
“For good. I got myself an office. I’m staying with Ry till I can find a place of my own since you’re going to be sleeping in your room again, starting tomorrow.”
“Holy shit. I’m going home. Max, you have no idea. I just… There are no words. Thank you.”
“Rory. Brother. I know what you did to end up here. I know all of us are thankful and want nothing more than for you to be out, stay out, and live the happy life you so deserve. I may never have said it before this, but, brother, we’ve all missed you and need you home.”
Keeping the smile off my face is physically impossible at the moment.
“I can’t wait till tomorrow. Oh, could you or Ry grab me some clothes? I don’t think I can wear the ones I came here with.”
“We got you. You just worry about getting through the next twenty-four hours and you’ll be getting hugs from everyone. You know Ma is gonna be cryin’ for days.”
Getting up to go back to my cell, I say, “I can handle that. You know I’ll never be able to thank you enough for this.”
“Yes, you will. Be happy, stay out. That’s all I need. See you tomorrow, big brother.”
Chapter 10
Rory
Sitting at the end of my bed, I’ve got the few things I’m taking with me next to me. The only things I really care about are a couple of pictures and Jane’s letters. I wonder if I can see her today or tomorrow. I honestly barely slept last night with the excitement of today. To be able to see my whole family. To get a real hug from Ma and Pa. To enjoy a fire. Since I couldn’t sleep, I wrote Jane once more, with plans to give it to her in person.
Dear Jane,
You don’t know it yet, but by the time you read this, I’ll be home. You by now will know the whole story of how Max got me out early. What I’m not sure you will know yet is just how much you already mean to me. I’m not a man who is great with words or big gestures, Jane, but you have brought such joy to my life already. I can see myself spending the rest of mine trying to give you the same. I can’t wait to start doing that, my joy. I know I’m out and we’ll be seeing each other in person, but as I’m not the best with conversation at times, I don’t think this is the last note you will get from me.
Yours,
Rory
P.S. You once asked me about a song that I felt emotional about. I know what song I want to share with you first because I feel this is going to be you in my life. Look up the song “Joy of My Life.”
Just as I stand up to pace for what seems like the thousandth time in the last couple of hours, I hear Officer Adams, “Weston, time to go.” I grab my few papers and walk to the front of the cell. Officer Adam directs me to a different part of the prison than I’ve been to before. We go into a room and on the table is a box.
