Alex's P.O.V
Sitting at dinner with the girls I share with them how Piper has written to me. "So you're going to visitation tomorrow then huh Vause?" My mouth instantly goes dry and I'm a little shocked as I forgot that Thursday is visitation day at Ohio. "I uhm, I'm not sure…I mean I love Piper for sure and want to see her but part of me is reluctant in case I get hurt…" Big Boo looks my way and nods sympathetically. "I get it Vause, my dad wrote for weeks before I would see him at Litchfield and now we talk weekly. It is a tough one, but you're different Blondie loves you." I nod and agree with her as the entire group stands and moves on to do some type of activity before lights out. I'm left with my thoughts, I agree with Big Boo, Piper does love me and I love her, otherwise I would never have said yes to her or arranged for us to be prison married before she was let out. But things are different, what if she moved all the way here to Ohio and things are different. The way we left things at Litchfield, we always fuck up. Choosing to stand and move to the cell instead of an evening activity of most likely cards I decide the quiet will help me think. Taylor always stays out of the cell until lights out, but she gets out in a little over a month so I'm sure the cell will be filled with someone else.
Staring at the wall in the darkness of the cell I'm reminded of one thing, I'm never truly alone; from the gentle snores of Taylor above me to the bustle of the daytime traffic in the cellblock. I haven't been truly alone since the day that I was sentenced here, and even that day I was only alone in the bathroom. Ever since I've been with people, but more specifically ever since then I've been with Piper and as much as I would like to set her free from my life, I also want to hold her close and never let go. I love her so much. I always have done, ever since the night in that bar and she was attempting to find a job even though she was so under qualified it's not even funny. I'd never heard of anyone faking previous jobs to apply to be a bar waitress but that's what Piper did and I was drawn from the start. I think if I'm being honest I was done for the moment she looked at me. Rolling to my side I am immediately aware of how thinking of Piper makes me feel and that's when it hits me, I'll be at visitation tomorrow, I only have to hope that Piper doesn't change her mind.
The next day I wake feeling physically ill, rushing to the toilet in the cell I throw up last night's dinner which wasn't much to throw up. Mostly mushy food as last night's dinner was mushy potatoes, carrots and peas with what I assume was some form of beef but I'm not entirely sure. "Shit Vause, will you keep it down already?" Taylor calls from her bunk, I sit back on my heels and rub my forehead acknowledging that I already feel tonnes better. "Sorry Taylor, next time I'll be sure to vomit quietly," she rolls her eyes and plops back down on her bunk, but I instead flush and wait for the door release in a few minutes time. Hearing that elusive beep and clonk that I know releases the door mechanisms I grab my towel and I'm off to the shower. Taking my shower caddy which has some newly brought shampoo and conditioner and a new razor to attack the forest under my arms and on my legs. "Showers open in five Vause, wait it out." I look to the guard desk and notice Marshall there, I nod and take a seat on the available seating and instantly notice that no one else is out and about yet. "Nervous for today Vause?" I look at Marshall,
"Excited I guess…" I state as Marshall nods, and then gestures towards the showers and I take the opportunity to fully shower and make myself presentable for my girl.
Piper's P.O.V
The alarm goes off at 9.00am, and as I go to roll over to whack it to shut it up I look at the calendar that hangs nearby, Thursday. "Oh my god, its Thursday!" I shout as I sit up, very much aware that no one else will hear me. I swipe the covers off of me and plant them all on the left hand side of the bed, glancing at the large pile I can't help but feel nervous for today. I've been here in Columbus for over a month and I've shown up to four prison visitation days but I still haven't managed to see Alex. I don't know whether Alex has received the letter or not yet so the days that I sit at the prison for the entire visitation time which is 11.00am until 3.00pm I keep myself busy writing her little letters.
Thursday 8 August
Dear Alex,
Today is my first time here at Columbus Ohio's Prison. Somewhere inside these walls, you're talking to people, eating prison food, showering, shitting or sleeping. If I think about it long enough I can almost picture you sitting in your bunk reading a book but to be honest I have no idea if books even exist here. It feels so weird to be here visiting you, the last time we did this dance you were visiting me and I hated you, although as you pointed it out I really didn't hate you. I was forced to admit you were right. But anyway, how are you Alex? Are you doing okay, eating well and sleeping okay? I know how you get about your sleeping patterns. Hopefully things aren't as bad as I am imagining although to be honest I'm picturing Max, just a different State.
So hopefully this letter finds you doing okay, they're starting to filter people out of visitation so I guess I will also be told to leave soon.
All my love
P XX
My first few letters to Alex involved me asking her how she was, one seemed a little whiny even for my standards so I didn't end up sending that one in. But at 10.45am I'm in my car on the way to Prison, for some reason I feel better today. I feel like Alex may be waiting for me, I don't know. All I can do is pray that she is. From all the searches I've done online I know that Ohio isn't as rigid as Litchfield Max was and that in Ohio there are no windows which means I can be even closer to her.
The doors open to the centre where visitors report to, I walk up to the door and the guard on duty Marshall says, "who are you here to see?" I take a deep breath and look at him but say nothing, "well I can't help you if you don't tell me who you're here to see…" he states and I sigh and say, "Alex Vause." He nods and grabs his chart, running his finger down the line he looks up at me and I nod already accepting that it's still a no, "and what's your name?" I'm taken back almost immediately, "uhm…Piper, Piper Chapman." He nods and grabs a visitor sticker, holding it out to me he says, "well I guess someone wants to see you." The grin that spreads across my face is wide and I can already feel it spreading its way through my body. "Can I…" I motion to the door and he waves me through and states,
"Sit anywhere you like, your inmate will come out once your seated." I nod and move through the door already knowing that life is about to change, I'm hoping for the better but I can't be sure.