He saw his desk was moved way to the back of the class. No one showed any kind of emotion. When he asked who did it no answer. Jackson took in a deep breath walked to the back of the class and sat down. He was done. He knew that this was going to be war. He also knew if he wanted to keep his job he had to endure everything that was coming to him. The hard part was taking it and knowing that it wasn’t deserved. It’s like when you were a kid and told your parents it wasn’t you and you still got an ass whooping.

The next instructor came in the class. Everyone stood to attention and greeted the instructor in unison and synchrony. “GOOD AFTERNOON SIR!” The instructor signaled for the class to have a seat. He looked around and noticed Jackson sitting to the back of the class apart from the others. “Jackson, what are you doing way back there? Why aren’t you sitting in your assigned seat to the front of the class?” “Sir Permission to speak sir.” “Granted.” “Sir my seat was here when I walked in sir” “Well who did it son?” “Sir I have no idea sir.” “Well ok, class who moved Mr. Jackson seat to the back?” No one answered. Eyes were looking straight forward with straight faces. “Ok no one is going to talk, to the pad give me 50 diamond push ups, and if I don’t have an answer by then; then you will do push ups until flag.” Still no one opened their mouths, but you seen facial expressions disgruntlement and jaws clinched. “LET’S GO DC 180 MOVE! MOVE! MOVE! FALL OUT CAPTAIN CALL IT OUT! DESRESPECT YOUR LEADER! CHAIN OF COMMAND! MOVE!”  Espinosa called out the cadence. “ READY! FORWARD POSITION MOVE! 1,2,3 1! 1,2,3, 2! 1,2,3, 3!” The class fell into position counting along with Espinosa. “ NOW FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS CLASS HAS AN ISSUE WITH AUTHORITY. SO IT’S MY JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SOLVED. SO ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK UP?” The instructor yelled at the class and asked for answer as they kept doing their push ups. Still no one would talk. They stuck between a rock and hard place. If anyone spoke up then they would be the next target and labeled as the snitch. If they didn’t speak up then they were stuck on the pad. This was another mind game, a way to condition the brain. To build unity in a crazy kind of way. It sent a message to the ones who grasped the concept that you’re not going to like who you work with on the pound but that person is all you have to keep you alive on the pound so suck it up and deal with it when you leave out the gates. The focus is to stay alive. If you distracted with petty irrelevant problems that has nothing to do with care, custody and control of inmates then you are either the one to be killed by the “system” or be apart of the “system”. Of course in a class of 32 only 9 understood the lesson. Jackson kept his mouth shut. The only thing on his mind was he was doing it for his family. He was pissed anyway so this helped to release the stress. It worked out in his favor little did the class know. No one cracked. After flag the class was dismissed to go home and to report early for 5am run.

Jackson walked in the classroom to grab his bags so he could make his bus. Hewitt stopped him on his way out. “So are you willing to start working together pr are you just that stubborn?” Jackson: “I’m tired I have to get home to my family I honestly don’t care what else you have in store for me, like I said before do what you want. Your going to need me one day Know that, plus you aren’t doing nothing but getting me fit. My girl says thank you.” He winked and walked away. In his mind he wanted to choke the b**** but he also knew it pissed her off even more that he didn’t crack.

Hewitt stood looking sour in the face.

Jackson caught the but straight to Kayla instead of going home. Kayla seen his face and already knew it was another hard day. She walked up and gave him a kiss on the lips guided him to the bathroom his towel and wash cloth was set up on the sink along with his night clothes. She cut on the shower and told him to get in. She helped him get out of his uniform. Kayla took his clothes and the other uniforms and put them in the washing machine. His dinner was ready, TV already on ESPN. She walked back in the bathroom and started running him a hot bath. “Sit down baby.” She said in a soft voice. “The tub was filled and she undressed and got in behind him. Kayla was only 3 months so her belly wasn’t at its largest potential yet. She grabbed the bath oil and started giving him a massage on his upper shoulders. Kayla saw in his face that he had it real bad today and when he has on of those faces she knows that all that is needed for those moments is peace and quiet, not even to ask about the day. All that would do is get him even more upset and Kayla knew he had to go right back in the morning. Jackson motioned for her to get in front. As Kayla sat between Jackson’s legs he just held her and rubbed her belly. He just kept whispering in her ear this is why I do this. Kayla didn’t understand what was going on she just knew he was tired. Jackson was just reminding himself why he is putting up with the mess he goes through EVERY DAY. He just started praying to God asking for at least one day of peace. Just one day where he could just focus and come home. Kayla just listened and didn’t disturb him. When Jackson had finished he asked Kayla in the calmest tone of voice. “How are my tow babies?” Kayla answered with understanding “We are just fine, we are just making sure daddy is ok.” “I’m fine, I will be fine.” Kayla: “Well let’s get out before dinner is cold.” They got dressed and made their way to the kitchen. There was just a silence no talking just a knowing. It was a bond they had built that they knew how to take care of each other without speaking. Kayla fixed Jackson’s plate and sent him in the living room to go eat and catch up on his sports. She made her way to put the clothes in the dryer.

Kayla went to join Jackson in the living room she didn’t care for sports but this was something he needed to get his mind off things for awhile. They sat and watched replays. Kayla had fallen asleep. Jackson rubbed her head while she slept and stared at the ceiling tears running down his face silently crying. Trying to figure out how? What? Just questions flooding his brain hoping he could at least get one answer. The buzzer went off for the dryer and Kayla got up to get the clothes out. He told her “Baby don’t worry about the clothes its ok I’ll get them in the morning.” “No bae I need to iron your uniforms so you don’t have to rush in the morning. It won’t take long I promise. Then you can have me all to yourself all night.” She said with a smile giving him a kiss.

3:30 am alarm went off and it was time to do it all over again.

Class started and he noticed that Hewitt wasn’t in class and Douglas either. He was suspicious but didn’t stress. He felt like if Hewitt was gone then today was going to be a good day and God had come through. There was a knock on the door and to his surprise it was …….;)