"Jesus, Healy", Caputo sighed, "you can't be serious."
"I tell you what she told me", Healy said, in a low, calm voice. "The kitchen needs a new freezer. The appliances are very old and have many problems, you know this."
"You know what I know? Red always demands things", Caputo hissed, "she needs this and she needs that – so what, man? She is just an inmate, not Julia Child of Litchfield."
"This is not about Red", Healy exhaled, "this is about the prison. The old freezer is broken, Luschek can confirm this."
"I doubt that Luschek can confirm anything but anyway."
Healy sighed in frustration. "Talk to Fig. That's all I'm asking for."
Caputo scoffed. "I will, but she doesn't give a shit. She cut funding for educational programs and now you think she'll pay for a freezer because your Russian friend wants a brand new one? This is bullshit, Healy."
"I'm telling you once again; it is a serious condition. We have a Freon leak here. Fig must take care of it."
Caputo snorted. "Okay, okay. I'll see what I can do; I promise."
Healy allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction.
"Thank you, Joey", he said, in an attempt to be friendly.
Caputo stood up and closed the door of his office. Then, he approached the other man and looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"Healy, you pamper her. I can't see the reason for that and I don't know if I really care – but this should stop soon."
Healy shrugged his shoulders in response. "I don't know what you're talking about, Joel. Thank you anyway", he said with a smile and after that, he left the room.
xXxXxXx
As the correctional counselor walked down the corridor towards his office, Tiffany Doggett (or Pennsatucky) stopped him. She started to complain about the other religious groups and the hours they use the chapel. Healy eyed her with obvious dissatisfaction.
"Please, Doggett. Can we talk later? You should come by my office, 'cause I'm a little busy right now."
"No, Mr. Healy", she exclaimed, "I need an answer! Give us the chapel and may God bless you!"
A feminine voice with a thick accent interrupted them.
"Leave the God alone, girl and please go. I need to talk to him".
They turned their heads and looked at Galina Reznikov in all her glory.
For some reason, Healy felt his own breath quicken as he ran his eyes over her curved body, the painted thin lips and those sapphire eyes of hers. Once again, Healy caught himself losing for words at the sight of her. Finally, a smile appeared on his face. Obviously, Doggett didn't feel the same.
"No, Russian lady! Return to your kitchen, I'm the one who's talking with him right now."
Red looked at her with a hand on her lower back and a half-smile played on her lips.
"But we have an appointment. Right, Healy?"
He nodded, looking at her in amusement.
"Yes, she's right, Doggett."
"Oh. For counseling?"
"Of course."
"Okay, okay. I'll come later, Mr. Healy."
Healy and Red went into his office and sat in their usual seats – Healy behind his office and Red opposite him.
"Thank you for saving me, Red", Healy sighed.
"You're welcome but practically, I didn't save you from anything. I just wanted to talk to you, so you have to tolerate me now."
"In comparison to Doggett, you're an oasis Red", he chuckled, "and your accent is like music to my ears."
She laughed heartily, in response. "I see."
"So", he said more professionally, "I talked to Caputo and I think he'll take care of it."
"Thank you for your help, Healy", she said sharply. "I can't cook decent meals with these ingredients and these appliances. The oven didn't heat up yesterday", she continued in disgust.
"I'm sorry, Red. Is everything okay now?"
"I guess. Luschek fixed it but he said that soon it will follow the freezer's fate. Pardon me, but isn't the management supposed to spend some money on this place? Administration and stuff, I don't know."
"Red, this is none of your business", he answered cautiously, "Don't overstep your boundaries."
Red looked at him, a bit shocked, but then she narrowed her eyes.
"Okay. See you later, Healy", she said sharply and stood up.
Healy immediately regretted his own words and felt his heart sank as he watched Red going towards the door. He stood up.
"Red, wait! I didn't mean…"
She interrupted him with a gesture of fatigue.
''It's fine, Healy. Everything is fine'', she said sarcastically.
He approached her and looked into her eyes.
''Red, this is prison. There are limits. You shouldn't forget it.''
She gave him a sad half-smile and went out of his office, leaving him devastated.
''How could I forget it, Healy?'', she asked in a steady voice and went towards the kitchen. ''I'm trapped in here'', she continued in a lower voice.
Healy sighed. He knew she was right. Then, he looked at his watch. His shift would end in a few hours.
He would return home and as usual, Katya would avoid him watching tv, playing cards with her mother or whatever. He didn't care anymore and he realized that he had nowhere to go too.