The Deepest Side of Love

Aira is sitting on the bed with sheets of personal stationary on her lap when Adam walks out of the bathroom. “What you doing?” “Preparing myself to write a friend in prison” “Really?” “Yeah, do you remember Breni Higginbotham?” “The name sounds familiar. Wait isn't she one of the girls who got sent to juvenile hall and you and Mercedes got left there on a field trip?” “Yes that's her, well she's in prison now for accidentally killing someone” “Dang, what happened?” “I'm not sure and I've never asked her. One of our friends called me and that's how I found out. I been writing to her for months” “Why, what does she want?” “Nothing, only to talk, I sent her my book and she liked it. She says she has been letting other women there read it. Reading is an escape, I think they need to remember life before prison, to remember love and hopefully plan for the future. She told me some of the women didn't get it, that they never had positive relationships with men. Adam we are talking about fathers, brothers, uncles, and cousins. I try not to take things for granted but it's the only life I know and I've always had somebody of the opposite sex to talk to, to feel safe, you know” “Do you talk about me?” “Yes she knows you are a jerk!” “I'm sorry I don't want to be a jerk. But I'm your jerk right?” “Always now give me a kiss and go away”. Adam kisses her and tries to touch her neck. “I still can't get use to you shutting me out” “I don't shut you out, you are in my heart. Bye.” “Is it a short or long letter?” “We call them chapters; the sooner I begin the faster I can put a stamp on the envelope” “How do you think you can help her, yall were kids?” “I'm a positive distraction from what she has to deal with because of her choices. I want to make her laugh, to help her remember how crazy we were in school” “That's should only take one letter, what else is there to talk about?” “Anything we want Adam, girl talk, dreams, goals, fried chicken or walking in the rain. She remembers Mark Eric as the Prom King, she use to have a crush on him” “Who did she kill?” “Probably some man who was getting on her nerves, Adam I'll let her tell me when she is ready. I liked her as a person, she was cool and she's a reader” “What about her family…” “I asked you nicely to leave but you keep asking questions. I'ma say something you don't like and you gonna get pissed… Adam, Adam?” Adam slams the door on his way out.