Passage 55
Jacob Rivers was a well software developer who was living a bachelors lifestyle. He had woman when he wanted them and he was constantly adding to the fourteen roomansion he bought ten years ago after one of his programs hit the millions. He created an indoor arcade room complete with Lazer tag and paintball room. He had a master chefs kitchen able to seat fifty people.
He had an old fashioned bath house that he fashioned off of history that had renewing waterfalls and recycled cleansed water. With fresh growing herbs that are used for the Babylon inspired water room. This was a favorite room for his women when they were invited to his house.
His house was based off of renewable resources completed with solar panels and recycled water from a man made well. His house had sun timers that closed windows in case of natural disasters. But at night he had a cliff top view of the city lights. With windows on the top floor the mansion lit up like watching Christmas lights all year around.
His latest addition was a movie theatre with a dome screen made for 3D vision. He had just installed his preloaded movie selections in the machine that allowed you to pick a movie off of an old fashioned jutebox player .He hadn't had a chance to watch a movie on it yet but with Christopher coming over it was time to do so.
Christopher and him were in college together . He was his dorm roommate before he made his millions. He used to use Christopher as a test dummy on the transfer of programs before the prototype was finalized. Christopher was cool and they spent many nights between studying working on his program development.
His newest girlfriend was named Cassie . Her name was Cassandra witfeild . She was an inspiring musician and would come over to use his home gym and bath house to relax after a day full of recording. She was a good friend for a long time before their interest went from plutonic to sexual. Cassie had been his girlfriend for three months now and she ad him shared a room. There was seven guest rooms with onset bathroom suites.
Christopher parked his car as Jacob met him at the gate with his hummer as he escorted him to the parking deck. His butler Frank pulled in the luggage as Jacob walked around in swim trunks and a robe on. Kennith eyes popped open as he saw the massive windows and all the collectibles displayed on the far wall. He ran to the display case with all old fashioned model cars painted and built by Jacob. A hobby he started as a small child to relax him from everyday life.
Jacob grew up less than privileged. He had to earn a technical scholarship into college from his IT courses he took as an undergradadute his senior year in high school. When he got his scholarship he flourished. Jacob wanted kids eventually just hadn't met a woman worth his efforts. Cassie ran to the little girl in Christopher's arms and played with her small hands as Kinsley was six months old now.
" Can I ? I love babies. I have eight brothers and sisters and I grew up in a huge family. I love babies I want four at least ." She squilled excited to see the little girl. All the while making obvious plans for her and Jacob.
" Yeah.umm. okay. I can see that." Christopher said overwhelmed by her excitement. He shot a look at Jacob as he raised his hands up like he knew it was awkward for her to rush him like that .
" Don't mind Cassandra . She is like this in stores when we go shopping. Begging to pinch babies cheeks and all. She be a great politician if the lack of kissing babies became available."Confirmed Jacob . As he saw this many times her rushing kids and the parents reactions were all the same.
" It's Cassie ." She interjected shooting him a look that made him grin him using her government name . Cassie hated to be called Cassandra she preferred her artist title cass but Cassie was also good. Anything but Cassandra. It sounded so stuffy and formal.
" Cassie, thinks I'm cussing at her using her government name." He chuckled.
" You are. It's the name that was given to me along with a number that places me in a numerical order of my oppression." She snipped." We are all a number on a card paying taxes to live in a country we were born in by circumstances of birth. We didn't chose to be born but we sure are paying taxes on it." She concluded like a true born activist.
" You don't look very oppressed right now. You look like your reaping of the benefits of the paycheck you get." Joked Jacob.
" We all are . You just are told this is freedom to undermind the invisible rules we are following dictated by society. Don't be fooled by the hypocrisy of the mind influencing the lie to be the truth ." She said as a matter of a fact. As she tapped her side of her head as a reference to her idealism.
" She is very insightful. Ummm. Very informative ."Commented Christopher. Trying to agree to not disagree afraid she her head would spin off if she was challenged at any point. He had to admit Cassie was strong minded and scary in her perspective.
" She is a modern day hippie. Don't sugar coat it to coax her ego. She has millions of fans to do that for her." Popped off Jacob. As Cassie shot him a dejected look .
Cassie stuck out her tongue as she disappeared to the kitchen with Kinsley and went to get Kenneth to go into the kitchen.
" Hey little man you want to come with auntie Cassie to get some food. I will make you anything you want. What do you say?" She said to the small boy holding her hand.
Jacob threw his hands on the air in defeat in the small implications of her addressing herself as auntie Cassie like she was sure fire in his life for the long run. Cassie was like that over barara le sometimes and it annoyed Jacob with all her added labels on the newly established relationship.He just looked at Christopher as his eye brows rose up. Christopher nodded understanding his frustration.
" Where is Sarah?" He asked now noticing the missing element of the situation.
" Man. It's a very long story. It was my fault at first ,then it was hers sort of scenario." Explained Christopher rubbing his forehead in distress .
Meanwhile Bethany was in the gym sparring with Axel as she jested with him knowing he wouldn't truly hurt her. She spun around as he held up his stance . He looked her in the eyes as he moved in circles around her.
" Distraction is a fighters best and worst chance of winningand losing a fight. It can work for you and against you at the same time" Voiced Paul as he mirrored Bethany to watch her foot work. He followed behind her as he pretended to see through her to help improve her methods .
" Am I distracting Mr. Jing." She said blowing him a kiss as Axel lost focus and dropped his hands in a devious smile.
" Hands up ,Axel . " Yelled Paul.
" But she is so cute." He said as he resumed his stance.
" Puppies are cute. She is a cold blooded competitor. Keep your head in the fight not your heart." Demanded Paul .
" You hear that I'm cold blooded." Sassed Bethany as she kissed Axel in a small distracting peck on his lips then jabbed him in the ribs when he loosened his arms. Axel winced at the distracting move and realized what she did .
" Axel." Yelled Paul disappointed.
" Ok, love you got one in on me. Good shot but you won't be able to use that move on everyone. If you do I'll be in that fight too." He said in a warning tone.
" Is that jealousy I hear, Mr. Jing? " She said as she moved to the side of him trying to to mess up his view of her.
" No it's a promise. No one is allowed to lay a single finger on you. " Axel said raising his brows suggestively.
" Is that so. Does that include you." She said in a cunning smile.
" That's enough. Bethany back to the punching bags. Axel me and you need to have a talk." Scolded Paul as he pulled Axel aside.
Bethany let out a laugh as she saw Paul scolding Axel . She knew Paul did it on purpose to see how to correct axel's focus using his wife as a distraction. Bethany checked her phone as she saw that the progress of the apartment complex was almost done. She saw the cameras on her phone as some of the old tenants was already moving into the finished units. She set up door cameras per unit and one facing the lobby door.
The insurance company paid out the money and Bethany used that to buy furniture for the units since all was lost in the fire. She even secured a residential restraunt venue to be beside the corner of the apartment and worked out a discount with the staff for apartment residents. It was a small coffee and hole in the wall establishment where they sold savory foods and deserts . It was no five star restaurant but it did fill the spirit with good food. She decided to keep the original staff since they were on the verge of closing due to lack of foot traffic in the area. Bethany saw a solution in helping a struggling business. Three of the residents actually worked there .
She was going to keep her promise to Norma- Jean about the complex even though it was burned down she couldn't let people down. The ones who didn't return she understood. Axel lived close to the gym and Paul and Bethany would stop by the complex on her way to the school as she dropped off Sunny and Caden at the school to check in with the tenants. The school was in walking distance so the families could walk their children to school. When it was time to come home she would let them walk to the complex and then come home to Axel and their two rather rambunctious puppies.
Bethany thought about moving into a unit then thought it be a twenty -four hour commitment if she was always available. If her and Axel was going to start a family she had to separate business from home. Security was stricter with background checks since the school was so close to the complex.
Caden celebrated his tenth birthday with a party with all his new friends fromhis new school . Caden was a natural at making friends considering he only was socialized a few months ago for the first time. Bethany watched him she knew he missed his momma . Bethany knew even that was a void she couldn't fill in his heart . She hated seeing him not with his mother for his birthday. Axel's mother moved to a retirement facility as she mingled and spoiled herself with her allowance.
Meanwhile Avery was sitting in the women's prison doing five years as the judge promised. She kicked herself for not listening to the judge now. Avery's first night was rough. She watched the girl in the room next to her screamed as two other woman set her in her place . The girl came in rolling her eyes and when she went to her cell she was in for it. The screams Avery heard her first night was traumatic.
Avery was a skilled fighter, but She didn't worry about fights. She worried about being singled out. She held her face in a neutral stance trying not to look weak but not looking for a fight either. She didn't want any trouble . Just do her five years and return for Caden. She would work out scenarios in her head how she would get Bethany back for turning her mother, her brother, even her own son against her. As she sat in the yard with her eyes closed away from the cluster of inmates that spread out through the Court yard but keeping her ears aware of danger.
" What you in for love ." Said a woman leaning against the wall as Avery opened her eyes as she recognized the woman as a leader of sorts. The other woman moved around her like an army waiting for orders . Now Avery had a choice and she could make an ally not to be mistaken by as a friend or she could declare war and see how far she would go.
" My brother and I got in a fight. I won." She said keeping her tone mellow as she tried to relax.
" Savage . I'm sure he deserved it too. You know us women need to stick together." She said now sitting beside Avery.
Avery read the situation as she knew how left field this could go. The other inmates eyes were on Avery as they watched her interaction with the one they called Tara.
" True. " Avery simply implied leaving the question on hold .
" I'm Tara. And your name is?" She held out her hand to be taken.
Avery looked at her hand. To refuse it would be a sign of disrespect and to take it would be a mutual truce. Avery had only been there a few months and she already saw how the facility operated .
" Avery. " She said short answered.
" You don't talk much do you?" Laughed Tara .
" It's not that. I'm a not a real chatty type when I get to know people I never really been the gossip type or the long winded conversation type. I say what I have to say and move on . No offense. I am just getting use to things here." Explained Avery. As she watched Tara wet her lips with a perfect flawless smile.
" What are you in for?" Avery asked trying to distract her from looking at Tara .she was trying to fill out Tara as enemy or ally since she couldn't tell by their current conversation.
" I had a husband. He was a con man. While we were running one of our schemes he left me holding the torch. Bastard ran leaving me there red handed with the evidence in my hands as he skipped town on me." She said bitterly now .
" Wow that's really rough. But you are still married am I correct ." Avery pointed out.
" Yeah more or less. By law yes but that can be easily remedied. What about you? You married ? " She asked scooting closer to Avery.
Avery noticed this move but didn't flinch or move away. She knew any sudden movement would put a target on her back in seconds. She stayed still looking undesturbed by her gesture .
" I have a guy who fathered my child. He hasn't contacted me since my brother took my son from me. We were sweet on each other then were off for years then sweet again. But I don't know anymore." Said Avery holding her hands between her legs trying not to swing on Tara as her leg touched Avery's.
" I understand , love. If you need anything or just get a little lonely come to my cell. We all get lonely around here. Sometimes a distraction can take your mind off of your situation." Suggested Tara as she invited Avery to her room .
" I'll keep that in mind." Avery said short as Tara stood up and smiled at Avery. Her group soon fell in behind her as she knew she was dodging a bullet playing nice with Tara . Avery didn't understand a lot from her small time here ,but she was catching on the higharchy in this place. Avery made a calculated choice. For her survival.
Mrs. Molusky sat in her office as she looked at James murder board as she place the three missing women on the board. She sighed as she started thinking this was one messed up family.
She understood Jessica and the other woman they all had similar features. Blonde hair and strong personalities. But what didn't pan out in her book was Amelia . Amelia looked like her mother ,but she didn't do anything to James other than burden him with a responsibility.
As she was pulling down the photos and placing them in an evidence box she saw something strange. The baby's death records. The blood type was not Jessica's . She search through her file as she located James blood type with an urking suspicion. She narrowed her eyes at the results.
Amelia was not his. But the strand was of a relative . But whom? She knew of Bobby- Joe and and the father. Jessica was always a favorite of her former father in law as she remembered the statement James made once as he deflected his hate for her. His hate that his father forced her to marry her because he got her pregnant. This story was more complicated than she imagined. She did the best she could with the information she was given and even then she felt like there was more to the story than she was given .
Then it clicked. Like a puzzle finally revealing itself. His father was trying to cover up something he did . Poor Norma -jean was grief stricken over his Gurtrude and was disconnected to him. Jessica tried to gain favor while his son served a sentence when he was eighteen . It had been only three years since the death of their daughter. And Mr. Barry found comfort in a woman more than half his age. A mid life crisis sort of deal thought Mrs. Molusky.
Of course Amelia looked so much like James side of the family. Because she wasn't James daughter she was his baby sister. James was forced to marry the girl. James did the math. The baby was born too soon after his release. Jessica swore she was premature but she was right on time. Oh Mr. Barry now wonder your son hated that child. He was covering for you. She felt James motives were more spelt out now she understood what peice she was missing.
Mr. Barry died a few months after baby,Amelia suddenly died under mysterious circumstances. Did James have something also to do with Albert Barrys sudden death. He was a healthy man not much older than his wife Norma-jean. He was physically capable but he died so suddenly.
The questions to a closed case now was baffling. The story lines didn't add up. But James said the state came and got her. Did Mr. Barry know the entire time what happened to Amelia? Now it all made sense . James knew what Mr. Barry knew about his teenage affair and second daughter. That's why that part didn't make sense.
But now what was she going to do with Ruth -Anne. Yes she gave up her brother but she never lawyered up and she was part of all his Scams. She did promise to cut her a deal where her brother took the bulk of the charges in exchange for her brother's evidence . She did try to get most of it reduced but the prosecutor wouldn't budge on it by much .
Ruth-Anne sat in the Court room opposite to Bobby -Joe. She looked nervously as she knew she sold her brother out. Even to the end the brother didn't want her to have the same lawyer because he was going to let her take the fall as well. Madeline Molusky thought Bobby-Joe was rather selfish sort even to the end he was sticking it to her.
The brother and sister bickered at each other across the two tables refusing to yeild as the judge took Ruth-Anne out of the room for being overly dramatic. A few times she burst out in sympathetic tears during a witness examination and others made loud noises even so far to cause herself involuntary hick ups . While apologizing in between each air gasp . It was becoming rather disruptive to the court proceedings .
She was such a disruption she had to be taken to the viewing room to watch the proceedings on the television over looking the case for special witnesses when they wanted to stay anonymous. Bobby -Joe cried Ruth-Anne ruined all his plans and she was the master mind behind all the scams he was just the front man carrying them out.
She watched her brother betraying her by every single word he uttered. When the verdict was rendered she was to serve ten years with possiblity of parole in five years and Bobby- Joe had to serve thirty years with parole at fifteen years. How the bloody hell did she get pinned for her brother's crimes. Yes she set the house on fire of her former lovers to prevent bail bonds from taking the house and she did help with the apartment burning but that was it. She didn't do anything more than those two crimes.
Ruth-Anne sat on the transport bus as she sweat and felt sticky. She couldn't believe Bobby-Joe did that to her. She pulled up into the prison as she was given her essentials and stripped searched and all her personal belongings were taken and a orange suit was handed to her.
" Oh orange isn't my color. Do you perhaps have pink?" She said as the corrections officer laughed at her .
" Oh your highness forgive me for not knowing your color preferences. You either wear regulated orange or you can go in there butt naked for all I care. Make a choice your holding up the line." Snapped the corrections officer.
Ruth-Anne puckered up and let out a wail in fright." Oh they are going to love you. They love it when they cry." Laughed the corrections officer now pushing " we have a princess on on hands." Hallard the guard as she pushed Ruth-Anne through the line.
Ruth-Anne rolled her eyes at the two woman who eyed her as she walked inside the closed area. She didn't like being stared at it was rather rude in her opinion as she picked at the ugly orange suit with ugly black brick inmate numbers on it as she lined up to hmbe shown to her room.She stuck her nose up in the air. The two woman nodded at each other taking obvious offence to her gesture and went ahead of Ruth -Anne .As she entered she saw two woman waiting for her in her cell.
" What are you doing in here get out. This is my room not yours." Demanded Ruth-Anne as the woman cornered her. The woman laughed at the princess as one leaned against the wall and the other pushed her a little with her chest.
" Her room, huh. I didn't realize we had rooms for royalty. You hear that Lucienda . She wants us to leave her room. What ever shall we do?" Laughed a woman small and lanky.
" Lucienda, show her the ropes I'm already tired of her. Little princess needs to know this isn't Hollywood boulevard." Said the woman as Lucienda slammed her against the wall as she yelped out and cried . The entire time Ruth-Anne was being shown the ropes she looked at the woman leaning against the wall as Lucienda asulted her. She knew that face but couldn't put her finger on it.
Ruth-Anne went to the infirmary that first night. She thought I really need to learn how to fight. First I got beat up in the holding cell while waiting for her trail which she was still not understanding why she had to serve for her brother's crimes when she told them where the evidence was. Than now as she was walking into her cell. She didn't understand why people hated her on sight. It wasn't fair.
A few days later laughter broke out as she walked in the mess hall and saw Lucienda blowing a kiss at her and patting the seat beside her. She didn't understand what she wanted . Her black eyes and bruised ribs where she was relentlessly kicked was still sore.
" You have to make a choice. Love or war." Spoke up Avery as she saw the commotion across the room . Avery knew she need to keep her mouth shut but she was new too and felt they should stick together . But at the same time didn't want to get involved.
" What?" Stammered Ruth-Anne not understanding. As she glared at her tormentors across the room as the bruises on her face was still swollen from the assult earlier.
" Those woman there are putting a claim on you. You were the girl who they were setting right. Not thesmartest thing to roll your eyes in a prison full of women that have anger issues. The choice is to comply and sit down with them submitting to them or refuse them and they come after you again. " Explained Avery like she understood the way it worked only a few months into her sentence. Avery didn't know why she was mentioning this obviously clueless inmate about the situation at hand.
" Well I don't want to sit with them. I'm not puppy. I don't submit. That is no way to make friends in here. Beat up the new girl over a look." Shrieked Ruth-Anne.
" I once heard that if you don't teach manners in the home the street will teach manners to you. A guy I knew told me that and in here . This place is subliminally a street method mannerisms." Said Avery remembering Paul as regretting she hurt him to get to Axel . She had a few months to think of her actions as she had to watch her back in here as well.
" What should I do than. Just let them continue to harass me until I submit to them?" Cried Ruth -Anne as she felt she was about to cry a river.
" Than you choose a stronger ally. A ally that they won't cross so easily." Said Avery looking down at her plate to look like they weren't having a conversation as Lucienda shifted uncomfortablely in her seat as ruth-Anne refused her summons.
" You mean like making friends." Ruth -Anne confirmed.
" Oh no . There are no friends in this place just temporary allies . Everyone is here for something they did and can not be trusted. Find someone to protect you until you either can protect yourself or get released." Laughed Avery as she thought of this inmate as a naive child oblivious to her surroundings.
" Well I'm in her for ten years . Parole in five years."scoffed Ruth-Anne as a small whimper came from her mouth.
" Ansestors that's a long time. I have only five years but it was my fault . I could have did my time in a psych ward all doped up on happy pills but I opened my mouth and got contempt." Chucked Avery .
" Your crazy like criminally crazy?" Question Ruth -Anne." I'm sorry I didn't mean it that way. " She rebuttaled as Avery let out a small amused laugh.
" Well you tell me ? Your standing here talking to me when you need to go get a food try and sit down before they release us and you don't get to eat. But don't eat the green stuff they give you and don't refuse it either. I saw a girl get jumped over offending the cook." Said Avery now eating her bread.
" Can you come with me ? To help me get my food. You know so no one tries to hurt me again." Asked Ruth -Anne like a scared little girl .
" Now there lies the problem if I'm seen helping you I gain two enemies over there . Go get your food and sit down in the chair across from me. We will look indifferent but I can keep an eye on you new friends over there. Hurry up you've already wasted valuable time." Demanded Avery.
Ruth -Anne went through the line and collected her items as she saw the green goop Avery was talking about . She smiled pleasantly as the cook glared at her. Then she grabbed her drink and did as Avery said and sat across from her.
She didn't understand why she had to sit in front and not beside her new friend.the lunch rush soon was over and she was glad she did get to eat. She stood up as Avery left and followed her out like a shadow. Lucienda saw this and followed behind the two.
" What are you doing? " Asked Avery seeing Lucienda approaching ." Stop following me." Demanded Avery as Ruth -Anne stayed close behind her .
" You said I need stronger allies to protect me. Your the only one I know here." Explained Ruth-Anne. As she sped up to keep up with a fleeding Avery in the hallway.
" We talked you don't know me. Look I don't want any trouble." Said Avery ." Shoo go away before we both get in trouble here." Avery protested now aggravated this woman wouldn't leave her alone .
" Baby doll . Come here." Sang Lucienda." Where is my sweet thing?" Sang lucienda as she followed closely to the two women .
" Help me."squeezed out Ruth-Anne in a small frightened voice." Please."
Avery took a deep breath as she couldn't believe she was going to do this but she understood survival . This woman wouldn't last if she left her like this. She would be broken by that smaller woman as she saw her approach. Probably looking to gain reputation from picking on the newer ones. Avery leaned against the wall all casual like as she moved Ruth-Anne to her side against the wall. Ruth-Anne was confused by this gesture.
" Can I help you , friend." Said Avery not looking up at the approaching danger. Ruth-anne wasn't going to leave her alone and she saw shaking her wasn't easy . Shit Avery had to do what she had to do to get lucienda to back off of her.
" Hand over my play thing right there and we will be square ." Demanded the grumpy short woman with a Napoleon complex. Lucienda licked her lips as she made kissing gesture at ruth-anne. Avery sighed as she knew what it felt like to be bullied and didn't like seeing it either.
" See that's where we have a problem. I thought she was my play thing. " Avery said knowing she was putting a claim on ruth-anne and it was a very dangerous game she was playing with this persistent woman in front of her."Unless I'm confused at the offer the lady made me earlier." Said Avery. " As she invited herself to my table and my company." Added Avery to set out there the offer that was made.
Ruth-anne looked at Avery confused such an offer was made but kept quiet.
" Did she now." Smirked the woman she didn't know." How tragic I thought we had something , baby doll. You wound me." Lucienda said holding her heart mockingly.
" I suggest you move along. I'm asking nicely." Said Avery in a cold tone.
Lucienda did not like being talked to like that by a nobody. A worm. To her Avery was a dirt mover not even on the food chain yet . Lucienda wasn't much higher but she had a few hits on her record for respect here. Since she was one of the Tara groups and her legion of demons.
" You didn't ask nice enough ." Growled the woman.
" Ok than maybe you'll understand this back off of her or I will make you back off." Said Avery pushing off the wall now to look her in the eye.
The hallway grew quiet as the attention turned to them all of a sudden. Tara glanced over in the direction of the disturbance as she stood up to see what the noise was about.
" Stupid wench you don't know who your messing with?" Roared the woman as she charged Avery. Avery moved as she ran into the wall and thudded and stamered backwards. Avery grabbed her hair and twisted in in her hands and slammed her into the wall . She shoved her into the wall a few more times as blood poured down her head now. The woman fell backwards head busted and stammered as she swung on Avery as she side stepped her as Avery landed a very hard back hand knocking lucienda back as she landed an uppercut on her and the woman fell back like a tower falling straight to the floor.
A group began to form as they waited for Tara to join the obvious fight now breaking out between the two women. As soon as Tara arrived in plaine view she held up her hand for the others to hold to their actions she wanted to see what Avery could do.
Lucienda scrambled on her knees to get up and Avery delivered a hard kick to her stomach. The woman groaned in agony as she rolled holding her stomach . Then Avery began to stomp on her mid section repeatedly.
" Tara , help me. Stop her." Cried the woman in pain between blows and grunts.
Just then Ruth-Anne realized she knew that woman. It was Bobby- Joe's wife. Tara kept her hand held high to signal the order was still to hold . Tara's face was cold and calculated not the Tara she knew was timid and always nice almost gullible . This Tara was different .
" Tara!" Cried the woman." Tara stop her." Cried as she turned to her side covering her head in a fetal position.
" I told you Avery and I had no quarrels. But you insisted on provoking her." Said Tara as the room demersed the energy in the room was divided by Tara's silent orders to hold . Alarms blazed as soon the guards rushed in to break up the fight. Avery nodded in a respectful manner as she turned and put her hands against the wall she motioned for Ruth-Anne to do the same and she followed hovering her hand a center meter away afraid to touch the wall.
The room was moved out of the way and Lucienda was moved to the infirmary to get cleaned up . Avery sat on her bed as Ruth-Anne stood looking around the room.
" Can you walk me to my room it's three rooms down." Said Ruth-Anne softly.
" you can walk yourself. I claimed you and Tara called a truce . No one will mess with you. " Said Avery exhausted by her efforts with this woman. She was double thinking her choice to help her.
" Thank you. I'm Ruth-Anne by the way." She held out her delicate hand to Avery in greeting.
" Avery." Said Avery short not taking her hand.
" Okay. Nice to meet you Avery ." Said Ruth-Anne as she started to leave the cell.
Avery jumped up knowing this Ruth -Anne was her ward now. " Hold up. I'll walk you to make sure no one messes with you. This is my fault. I opened my big mouth and couldn't leave well enough alone. You owe me for this one." Replied Avery as she stood up to escort Ruth-Anne to her cell.