Chapter 20 #2
I’m floating when I walk into the cute breakfast place near Ray and Diego’s place.
The staff are known for being gruff, everything is mismatched and vintage, the food is incredible, and the coffee flows freely.
It’s all reminiscent of a classic diner from the 50’s.
I spot Diego facing me in a booth across from Ray, and he waves me over.
His spiky blond hair is shining brightly in the fluorescent lights, while his big brown eyes are alight with excitement as they take me in.
“Who is this glowing diva?” Diego exclaims. Ray turns in his seat and grins ear to ear when he sees me.
“Doesn’t happiness look amazing on her?” I feel my face getting hot, but can’t help but laugh as I hug them both tightly.
“We are not spending this entire meal talking about my glow and happiness. Ray gets his little updates at work that he bugs me for and I know he tells you every word, Diego. It feels like we haven’t hung out in forever, what’s new with you both?”
“I don’t think I got to tell you, Diego has Spring Break in two weeks and we’re going out to Palm Springs for a few days,” Ray tells me. “I’ll be off from work that Monday and Tuesday, we’re making it a long weekend.”
“I love my middle schoolers, but I desperately need a break,” Diego pouts. He teaches science to 12 and 13 year olds, bless his wonderful soul.
“Speaking of breaks, when are you and your man going to Spain again?” Ray asks. I hold my answer because a gum chewing server comes to the table to take our order.
“I’m Ella, what do you want this morning?” she asks in a deadpan voice, pen and paper at the ready. I order the hearty breakfast bowl, Diego orders pancakes, and Ray gets their eggs benedict. She brings a carafe of coffee right away once she puts the food order in.
“So, we go next month, in exactly 3 weeks actually,” I tell them.
“I’m excited but also incredibly nervous.
I’ve never been out of the country and on top of the anxiety about that, it’s going to be so emotional seeing the house my mom and dad grew up in.
I’m glad Carlo is an experienced traveler, he’ll be able to help me not do something stupid. ”
“It’s going to be a fantastic trip, sweetie,” Ray reassures me. “Did you get your passport?” I nod.
“I got it 4 years ago when Celeste and I were planning to take a vacation to the Caribbean. It never worked out because the pandemic hit, but at least I have it.” Diego raises his coffee mug.
“To traveling,” he says dramatically. Ray and I dutifully echo him, clinking our mugs.
I immediately think how much I need to have Carlo meet Diego, their goofy personalities would be so much fun together.
When we’re all done catching up and eating the incredible food, I hug them goodbye with the promise that next time we’ll make it a double date.
I get home and chill with the cats while I putter around and ponder the eternal question of what we should have for dinner.
It’s completely normal to think about your next meal when you’ve just had one, right?
I hear my phone ring on the table and pick it up to see it’s the correctional facility.
“Hello?” I know it is probably Celeste, but in case it’s someone from there to give me some kind of news about her, I never assume until I hear her voice.
“Nia,” Celeste whispers in a shaky voice. I’m immediately filled with dread, because it takes a whole lot to make Celeste’s voice shaky.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt, Cece?”
“I’m not physically hurt but I’m not ok,” she tells me, voice still shaky.
“What happened?” I demand.
“One of the women I have laundry duty with was assaulted yesterday by a guard. It was so bad that she’s still in the infirmary.” I hear it then. Pure fear laces her voice, and I know she’s triggered. My insides shatter for her, wishing I could be there right now to hug her.
“Holy shit. I hope the guard is fired, at least?” Anger is welling up like a volcano in me, because do men like this ever really suffer consequences? I know she is taking a huge risk in telling me this over the phone, because these calls are always recorded.
“I’m not sure what’s happening with him.
One of the other women caught them when she went to bring dirty towels down, she could hear her crying in the linen closet.
She warned all of us at dinner to stay away from him just in case.
You hear about these things happening in correctional facilities but it’s completely different when you’re so close to it.
” She’s talking in a low whisper, to the point where it’s almost hard to hear her.
I take a few deep breaths, willing myself to calm down enough to answer her without sounding like I’m losing it.
“I’m glad she warned you all. Everything will be ok, you hear me? Just be careful, please Cece. I know you don’t need me to give you advice on being aware of your surroundings, just…please be careful.” I tell her lamely. I have no idea how to comfort her with words right now when she’s this upset.
“I will be, you know I can take care of myself,” she says as assuringly as she can considering she’s still so shaken.
I hear her shifting and taking a breath.
“You’re right, though. I think it would be smart to speak to that lawyer Damian.
If he can help lessen my time here, I’ll feel a whole lot better.
I’ll have a complete breakdown if I get assaulted again, Nia.
Maybe I need to fight for myself, like you said.
” My heart painfully constricts, because it must be bad if she’s asking for help and taking my advice.
She’s always insisted on being the big sister and helping me, never the reverse.
I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve heard her be this vulnerable.
“Yes, of course you should talk to him. Let me give you his number so that you can arrange to meet with him. I’ll let him know to expect your call.” I read it off to her from my contacts and she thanks me.
“Carlo and I will also come visit soon, I mentioned it to him and he’d love to meet you,” I tell her.
“That would make my day,” she says.
“Call again soon when you can, ok? Keep me posted on meeting with Damian, please. In the meantime take care of yourself.”
“I will. Love you, Nia.”
“Love you too, Cece.”
I flop down on the couch when we hang up, Tish immediately jumping into my lap.
Pulling out my phone, I shoot a quick email to Damian explaining that Celeste would be calling him to set up a meeting if he’s still willing to help her.
Once I send it off, I bury my face in my hands, hating that my sister is getting re-traumatized because a guard is abusing his power.
Tears threaten to fall but I keep them at bay.
After a few minutes of stewing, I hear my phone ping with a text from Carlo.
On my way home! Need anything while I’m out, sweetheart? Also, Taran chose ruffly, bright purple suits, they match the women’s dresses. I think it’s my color, personally
I snort at the image of him in a garish, ruffly purple suit, but then realize the jerk is so gorgeous he can probably pull it off. Trust him to get me laughing after that conversation with Celeste, since I know they were just going to be looking at casual grey suits for the beach wedding.
Definitely your color, that’s a perfect choice he made. Nope, don’t need anything while you’re out but thank you. See you soon, baby