Red glanced back at the office as she marched down the corridor. Of all the people she had met in the prison, Norma and Nicky had been there for her throughout everything. They reminded her that life could be worse, and that she was one of the lucky ones. And now that was all going to change…
Healy watched as Red marched out of his office. Her head held high, and no sign of any emotion after he had given her the news. He knew that if it was him in her shoes that he would be falling apart. But no. She got up and marched out, and he was very tempted to go after her. But should he? He didn't want her to think that there was more there than there actually was. He enjoyed being with Red, she was brilliant company and great help with her advice about his wife, but she was a prisoner. He was a guard. It couldn't happen, could it?
Red marched straight out onto the yard, not acknowledging anyone else's presence. Not even Norma. Straight onto the yard, to the bench by electrical where Nicky would often sit and have lunch during work detail. Red didn't know what she wanted from Healy, but when he gave her the news he seemed so detached from it all. He seemed to offer no form of support, no hand to hold or shoulder to cry on. How could he be so cruel, after everything she had done for him?
He knew he shouldn't care what Red thought of him, but it did matter. He knew that he hadn't handled the situation very well and after much deliberation he headed out of the office. He knew exactly where she would have gone. So slowly he wandered through the corridors of Litchfield to the doors that led out onto the exercise yard and the outdoor work units. He paused. He could see her sat on the bench outside electrical. As he slowly approached the bench, she didn't even lift her head, or acknowledge his presence by her side. Gently he laid a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Red had heard him shuffling towards her, the yard was quiet. He had stopped just short of her and the bench. But he was close enough that she could hear him breathe. Before she knew it a large, but gentle hand landed on her shoulder and gave a comforting squeeze.
"Red? I'm sorry, Nicky was the daughter you'd always wanted, and you were the mother she'd always longed for. You helped shape her into the woman she became, which was a far cry from the young woman I remember entering this prison." Healy removed his hand from her shoulder, and motioned to the bench, to which Red just nodded. She didn't look at him directly but he could see how much pain she was in. "Nicky will be missed by everyone here. Maybe we could organise a little something in her honour".
Red sat upright and turned. Her deep, pain filled eyes focussed on the man sat next to her. Normally she would have longed to spend time like this with him, but today, she didn't want to look at him. "You provide the drugs and we will have a party, is that what you want?"
Healy looked astounded. Taking a few moments, he composed himself. "We all know that if anything needs getting you're the woman Red." The second the words came out of his mouth he regretted saying them.
Red just chuckled. He may be a miserable old man, but she appreciated his honesty and she had begun to understand more about his life. The relationship that had begun to develop between the two of them, given different circumstance would have hopefully become more. Especially given that her husband was a waste of space. Healy didn't have many prospects, but at least he was on the right side of the law, and he tried. She could see the effort he was putting into his marriage.