Hard Time (Part Sixteen)

"Smithson passed away today," one officer commented1

"Oh really? You think Lyons is going to come in?" asked another.2

"That's what I heard. But she's only doing afternoon shift..." the first officer said. Scott didn't hear the rest of what was being said. He knew that Keenyah was Elisabeth's best friend. He breathed in deeply and sighed. Scott hoped that he'd be able to talk with Elisabeth today. That was highly unlikely. They were having rec time now, and that meant Elisabeth would be strictly on the lower level of the block.3

Meanwhile, Elisabeth was on her way in to work. The sun was shining against a brilliant blue sky. She shivered. Though it may have looked like a nice day, the howling north wind was blowing at full force and the temperature was in the 20s to begin with. Just as she was about to turn up the heat dial in the car she saw the watchtower and razor wire that signaled the prison's entrance. She came to a stop at the gate, flashed her ID and continued. The same old ritual. Except for it wouldn't be quite the same ever again. Keenyah was gone now. Elisabeth breathed deeply. It was going to be a long day.4

As she arrived on the block, the prisoners were just coming off of rec time. Scott managed to catch a glimpse of her and flashed a seductive smile in the hopes of making her smile. Elisabeth couldn't help but laugh a little bit, which made him smile again. Even if he couldn't see her that much today, at least he had made her smile. Elisabeth headed off to meet with Valdez, her partner, but he was nowhere to be found. She found Keppler, who was just coming off of the shift and asked him where Valdez was.5

"Valdez has been moved off of the shift. He's on Nightwatch now."6

"So then who is my partner?" Just as she said it, two hands covered her eyes. Startled, Elisabeth quickly jabbed the attacker in the gut with her elbow. The attacker immediatley dropped his hands. She whirled around, ready to defend herself more if need be, and stared directly into the face of Danny Lundgren.7

"Wow, what a way to be welcomed to J block..." Danny groaned.8

"Danny! I'm sorry...I thought you were a prisoner or something," Elisabeth apologized.9

He looked up and flashed a pained smile. "It's okay, but it's rather embarassing. All these guys have seen me beat by a girl."10

"They won't think any less of you," she teased. "Some of these guys have been beat by a girl themselves." She laughed slightly at the rememberance of her first encounter with Swede. They began walking down their level of the block, checking on the prisoners and making sure nothing was out of the ordinary.11

"So how are you feeling?"12

"I just feel numb right now, to be honest. My best friend died a week before my wedding. This is just so unreal right now. It just doesn't feel like reality," she sighed.13

"At least you have the joy of a marriage coming," Danny tried to comfort her. "Scott's a very lucky man."14

Elisabeth smiled. "I'm lucky too. The only thing is, his setence could be imposed at any time. I'm not even garunteed a first anniversary or anything."15

"Lyons, you're not even garunteed tomorrow. Don't worry about it and just live each day to the fullest."16

Elisabeth only nodded slowly. Danny was right. The rest of the shift was quiet. When the next shift came on, Keppler gave permission for Elisabeth to go up and talk to Scott for awhile. "You've been through a lot latley, this won't hurt." he had said.17

When Elisabeth finally reached Scott's cell, he was already waiting at the bars. He looked worried, yet relieved to see her all at the same time. "Hey," he said. "I heard, love. I'm so sorry, I don't know what else to say or do."18

Elisabeth leaned against the bars. "Just seeing you helps me feel better some. But really it's going to be okay," she tried to smile. "We're getting married next week."19

"I know," he said as he rubbed her arm. "but that doesn't change the fact that this hurts you bad."20

"It does hurt," Elisabeth sighed, "but dwelling on it won't help anything either. I've got to count my blessings and be happy that I've still got things to look forward too. Like being Mrs. Scott Kendrick." She smiled.21

........22

Friday morning dawned clear and beautiful. How ironic, Elisabeth thought, that a funeral would be taking place on such a gorgeous day. At least it could be raining, snowing, or some sort of "sad" weather to reflect her mood. There were tons of cars in the parking lot of the church that the funeral was taking place at. Keenyah had been fairly well known throughout the community, and at the previous prison she had worked at. Elisabeth entered the church and took her place on the front row. The sanctuary was packed full, and there were still others standing in the back.23

The service was beautiful. The pastor spoke of how this was not a day of sadness, but rather a day of joy. "Think about it, when a family member comes home after a long absence you celebrate it in some way. And that's what they are doing in heaven right now, folks. They're celebrating our sister's return home." When he was finished, four of Keenyah's closest friends including Elisabeth spoke of how Keenyah had impacted them. After a few songs, the service adjourned to the cemetary for the graveside. Try as she might, Elisabeth couldn't help but cry. Sure, she was glad that Keenyah was in Heaven, but watching the cakset that contained her best friend's body being lowered into the ground made it all the more real. Keenyah really was gone. No more chick flick weekends at Elisabeth's apartment, no more late night chats about everything and absolutley nothing. Elisabeth swallowed hard. She must move on now. Crying wouldn't bring Keenyah back.24

As Elisabeth was leaving the cemetary after the graveside was over, she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Danny.25

"I just wanted to see if you were okay," Danny said soberly.26

Elisabeth half smiled. "I'm as good as it gets right now. I mean, they just buried my best friend."27

"Do you," he paused. "Do you need anything? Do you need to talk?"28

"Gee Danny's acting a little wierd," Elisabeth thought, then spoke. "No, Danny, i'm fine. Don't worry about me."29

Danny smiled, "If you say so. I'll be praying for you, Lyons."30

"Thanks, Danny, I really appreciate it. " Elisabeth smiled and walked away. Danny sighed. If only she knew...