Chapter One - "Strawberries"
Red huffed in frustration and growled dramatically. Didn't they have one god damn strawberry to spare at Neptune's?
She had specifically asked them for strawberries! They always managed to get her electric toothbrushes, and Biore strips, and all the other contraband she asked for within reason, but they couldn't give her the PRODUCE she asked for?
Tomorrow was Nicky's birthday, and Red knew that strawberries were Nicky's favorite. She just wanted to do something special for her, and that wasn't an easy feat when you were behind bars.
She was still digging through the boxes in a dramatic fashion when Nicky found her 20 minutes later.
"Ma? Whatcha doin'?"
Red jumped and spun around to face her. "Ummm...looking for...oh it's none of your business Nicky! What are you doing here anyway, hmm? Shouldn't you be at work?"
Nicky shrugged. "Red...it's 7 o'clock at night! No one is working right now!" She looked around. "You okay? You seem sort of ummm...frazzled?"
Red nodded. "Fine. I'm fine. Hey ummm...tomorrow is your birthday. Did you want anything special?"
Nicky's eyes softened. "Red...we're in prison. It's not like I expect a cake and a party along with an assortment of gifts consisting of clothing, concert tickets and the occasional sex toy."
Red rolled her eyes. "I know...but...if you could have anything...what would it be?"
Nicky shrugged again. She knew Red was asking her a serious question. "I don't know...I guess...to get out of here?"
Red's face fell. It was quick and most wouldn't have noticed it, but Nicky did. She reached over and nudged her gently. "But only if you could come with me, of course!"
Red smiled and chuckled. "Yea...that would be nice, hmm? You think about it a lot? Getting out of here, I mean?"
Nicky nods. "All the time. Everyday almost. But then I..." She looked at Red who was looking at her expectantly. "...Nevermind."
"What? Then you what?"
Nicky shook her head. "It's silly."
Red sternly narrowed her eyes at her, which was enough to make anyone talk. "Then I realize that being here isn't so bad because I have you."
Red smiles, her eyes filling at Nicky's sweet words. "You'll always have me, little girl."
Nicky's face lit up, and she genuinely smiled at her. It was enough for Red to know that she would be making a phone call to Neptune's early tomorrow morning.
Nicky would have her strawberries for her birthday tomorrow. Red would make sure of that.