Sunday night comes around fast, yet again the weekend passes in a flash and I'm preparing for work again in the morning. It was actually quite an eventful weekend, compared to last weekend anyway. The dinner party we held last night was successful, all of our friends attended – Vera and Will announced some exciting news – they have finally set a date for their wedding, they've been engaged for over two years – I think most of us were thinking they would never get round to it! It's going to be a summer wedding – July 23rd – which is a Saturday, and they want Olivia to be a flower girl – I did give them a bemused look at this – unsure how that would work at her young age, but Vera said they'd figure it out.
"What's got that 'deep in thought' look plastered on your face babe?" Bridget asks, joining me in bed, having just put Olivia down.
"Just thinking about the weekend – Will and Vera finally setting a date, and also trying to picture how Olivia will be a flower girl at like eight months old?" Bridget let's out a chuckle at this.
"At least they've finally got it all set! I was thinking about that too; she definitely won't be walking so I guess someone will need to carry her – maybe a bridesmaid? Depends who Vera asks I suppose." I nod as Bridget speaks.
"Yeah, that'll probably make most sense – you think she'll ask you? I can't really think of anyone else if I'm being honest."
"It never really crossed my mind Franky – but yeah, I guess she might ask me, or maybe Maura, she won't even bother to consider you though!" I put on my best mock hurt face at Bridget's words.
"Oh come on darling! There is no way on this earth Vera would get you in a bridesmaid dress! You'd have a better chance of being asked to be Will's 'best man'." She laughs and I swipe playfully at her upper arm.
"Yeah, you may have a valid point there actually. No way I would wear some puffy bridesmaid dress – because knowing my luck it would be the ugliest one possible!"
"You're right – guess we'll wait and see if I get asked then, oh I kind of hope I do, just so I can get revenge on Vera, thinking she was so funny hiring that male stripper!" I can't help but burst out laughing at this, remembering the photos I was shown afterwards – where my poor then wife-to-be looked absolutely horrified as this guy was thrusting his pelvis into her face.
"Oh god! That was hilarious though! She really got you good with that one!" the face my wife gives me next is enough for me to understand the conversation on that particular topic is now over.
"Well Gidge, I don't know about you, but I'm going to get to sleep, another early start tomorrow for the drive to Wentworth. After class I have a few women who want to meet with me to discuss applications to the parole board, and then also a few that have been approved for a hearing and want to prepare." I say, turning on my side to face my wife.
"Sounds like you're going to have a busy day then. Okay, well if I'm not awake when you're leaving be sure to wake me so I can kiss you goodbye, okay?" Bridget says, also turning onto her side, so we are now facing each other.
"Yes baby, of course I will – anyway, goodnight, I love you." I say, leaning forward to capture Bridget's lips in a quick kiss.
"Hmm, goodnight Franky, I love you too – so much." We smile sleepily at each other before drifting off.
After class finishes the next day, I am escorted to Vera's office – where I am told I will receive the list of women's names who are wanting to meet with me.
"Franky – come in, please take a seat." I oblige and sit down, opposite Vera.
"Okay, I have the list here – so far four want your help with applications and two are up for parole within the next month and could really use your help with character statements." I nod at Vera as she hands me over the list.
"Right that sounds fine – I don't recognise the names who want help with applications." I turn the bit of paper over.
"Boomer's up for parole? That's great – I'm so pleased for her. Where's the other name Vera? I thought you said there were two in the next month." I ask, clearly only seeing Boomer's name.
"Ah, well yes – I left the name off because I'm unsure whether or not you will want to give her your assistance." Well I can't say I was expecting that answer from Vera.
"Well, it's kinda part of the job – and I agreed with my law firm I would do what I could to help, so – who is it I'd need to work with here?" I already have a feeling who the name is, and if I'm right – it will prove to be a challenge.
"It's Kim Chang, Franky – I know you had a thing with her back in the day, and Bea mentioned what happened with her last week, so I would completely understand if you didn't want to undertake this." Vera says, giving me a sympathetic smile.
"Okay – well I mean – it's my job Vera, and as much as I really can't stand to look at her – I made the choice when I accepted this role to help everyone, I can't exactly discriminate against her because I slept with her on occasion." I say, as Vera blushes at my remark.
"Oh well, I mean If you're sure – I will set up all the appointments with each of them – I'll get you an office space as well so the sessions are private."
"Sounds good to me, can you fit any of them in today then? Might as well start since I'm already here."
"I can set you up with the women wanting to apply for parole, I'm thinking do that as a group session first to go over everything briefly – then you can take them individually at a later date to learn more details about each case, and help them put forward valid reasons for a hearing to be granted."
"Yup, I'd say that's a good plan of action – what about Booms and Kim?"
"I can get you in to see 'Boomer' this afternoon at 3pm, Chang will need to wait until next week – she's on kitchen duty."
"No problem – well I best get started then, I'll see you later on Vera." I say, standing up and exiting the Governor's office.
Arriving at the office I have been given for the sessions, I can't help but laugh – my wife's old office, really? Stepping inside, I notice the furniture is the same as it was when I attended my sessions with her, it's almost comforting in a way – it was during the times spent in here that we first started falling for each other. Since I knew I would get my own space in the administrative wing, I brought a few photos for my desk to make it seem a bit more personal – one of Bridget and I a few years ago when we first started dating, I have my arms wrapped around her from behind, holding her close to me. The second is one I snapped about 20 minutes after Olivia was born, the look on my wife's face is filled with pure, unconditional love as she looks down at the tiny bundle in her arms. Lastly, I have one of the three of us, taken just last week by Bridget's mum when she was round, it is the first photo we have where you can see Olivia laughing - it is so adorable. I'm brought out of my thoughts by a knock at the door, it's Will with the four women I am waiting for.
"Hi Franky – so these four here are the ones applying for parole, I understand this is a chance for them to get some extra info about the process, yeah?"
"That's right Mr Jackson, hopefully this will benefit the four of you, and if afterwards you want extra help, you can come and see me individually." I motion for the four of them to take seats, as few extra have been brought in to accommodate them.
"Well – I'll leave you to it, be back in an hour to take them back to H Block." I nod at Will as he leaves, closing the door behind him.
"So – obviously all of your cases are different – so I'll explain the general steps taken to gain a parole hearing and answer any questions you might have." I look at the four of them, none of whom seem very forthcoming with communicating. 'I have a feeling this is going to be a long hour.'
However – about 45 minutes in to the session the lockdown alarm sounds – Will appears back at the door, explaining he needs to take them back to the cells. I hope nothing too serious has happened, it's not like lockdowns are an everyday occurrence, usually only for major incidents. I decide just to stay put in the office, I figure I'll be called once everything settles. My mobile starts to vibrate on the desk, I look down to see Bridget calling me – weird, she knows I'm here today.
"Hey Gidge, wha-" I get cut off by my wife's frantic voice.
"Franky! Where are you? Are you safe?" What the hell?
"Umm yeah, I'm fine – I've been given your old office at the prison actually, it's the exac-" I'm cut off again by Bridget.
"You haven't heard? Apparently some inmates have started a huge fire in the yard and taken some guards as hostages, I'm not sure how it's happened – can you get out? Or is the administration block at least secure? It's all over the news, there's a helicopter above, showing live footage."
"Wait, what? Umm well the lockdown alarm sounded like 20 minutes ago and Will came to escort the clients I was seeing to their cells but I thought I'd just stay in the office, I never knew all of this was happening." Oh shit, is all I keep thinking.
"Yeah well like I said it's all over the news, the yard is a complete mess, it looks bad Franky. The reports about the guards are unconfirmed – but if it's anything like last time, you know as well as I do it's possible they've taken some as leverage."
"Right – okay what should I do? I mean, I don't really want to be a sitting duck here." I say to Bridget, starting to get increasingly worried.
"I really don't know baby – just please be careful – can you get to the exit maybe? Your card will hopefully still work."
"I can try – I think I'd rather move anyway than just sit here waiting to be found. I better get a move on, I'll phone or text you in a little bit, hopefully I'll be out by then. I love you and Olivia so much."
"Stay safe darling – we love you so much too – just get out of there, okay?" Bridget's voice is starting to break; she's clearly trying to hold it together for me.
"I promise you I will, I've got to go now, bye." I hang up the phone and move immediately to the door – I open it ever so slightly and peer out into the corridor – it's clear for now. The next thing I need to do is make a decision – do I turn left, heading towards the exit – and the safety outside the prison gates, or do I turn right – heading towards the cells and yard, and try and help. I make my decision – the one I know is best for the people who I love most, I start to walk to the prison exit, suddenly I stop in my tracks, when I hear a blood curdling scream – coming from the direction of the cells.