Jess lay on the cot in his cell, praying for Michaela. He prayed that she would come and see him soon, because though Luke, Lorelai, and even Dean tried, they were so busy that they hadn't come to see him again. Pastor Swinton was attending to his daughter, so Jess hadn't had any visitors since Luke, Lorelai, and Dean had come a week before.
Day in and day out, he was kept in his cell. He was let out to exercise in the gym, and to use the bathroom, but otherwise he was stuck in his seven foot square cell. He felt like the walls were closing in on him. No human contact other than the wardens made Jess feel like an animal, and drove him into silence. He only spoke if asked a direct question.
Jess fell asleep that night, hoping and praying that Michaela would come and see him soon. He prayed that she would recover so quickly, that she could come see him the next day. He fell asleep, and dreamed of Michaela.
The next morning, Jess woke to the sound of his cell door opening. Was Michaela here? He looked past the warden and his heart leaped when he saw Michaela! Tears of joy came to his eyes. He was happy to be restrained, and escorted to the visiting room.
"Michaela," his voice cracked, "I'm so glad to see you." She nodded.
"I'm glad to see you!" she smiled, as Jess was released from his handcuffs and the warden left the room. "And I heard that you were saved! Welcome to the family of God!"
"Yeah," Jess confirmed. "I got saved a week ago. And it was all you."
"No," Michaela shook her head. "It was all God." They smiled at each other, and Michaela rose from her chair. She walked around the table, and motioned for Jess to stand up. He did, and she enveloped him into a hug. He returned the hug, tears falling from his eyes onto Michaela.
They released each other and returned to their seats. She saw the marks on his cheeks where the tears had coursed down his face. "Why are you crying?" she asked.
"I'm just so happy." he said, honestly. "I'm happy that you're okay, and that you're here, and that God answered my prayer. I asked Him last night to make it so that you could come visit me today."
"I'm so glad that God is already doing so much in your life!" she grinned, and stood again. "I have to go, but I wanted to come and let you know that I'm okay."
"Okay." he joined her in standing, and opened the door for her.
"Goodbye, Jess. I'm going to try to visit you soon, but I'm going to be really busy for the next few weeks.
"I also have to tell you, Jess, that I..." she paused. "I should've told you sooner. I have a boyfriend. We've been dating for six months, and I felt I should let you know."
"Yeah." Jess nodded, his voice husky. "It's good that you let me know." Tears welled up in his eyes again, but for a different reason.
"I'm sorry, Jess." she walked out of the room.
"Don't be sorry." he said. "Whatever you do, don't be sorry."
"Okay." she smiled again, and left.
Jess walked slowly back to his cell. He didn't know why it hurt him that Michaela had a boyfriend. He shook his head--he did know why. He was in love with Michaela, and now there was nothing he could do about it. He walked into his cell, curled up on the cot, and cried himself to sleep.