Air in basements is generally not pleasant. That goes even more for prison basements. The air here is humid, sticky and smells awful. Smells like stale water, mold and something undefined. Walls are cold, wet and sticky. They have some sort of cheap water resistant coat on them what makes them very disgusting for touch.
The light is dim and yellow, flickering and throwing dark shadows around. Ideal place for storage, for supplies and as a place where you can scare the crap out of people. Nobody can hear you scream here and for sure nobody would come to help even if they did hear you.
Boomer was standing five steps from the corner leading to the steps, effectively blocking the escape route, while holding one Asian junkie by the neck. Bea was in front of her cornering the other. The skinny woman was trying to back away almost climbing on the wall.
Bea glared at her with a pissed off face. She had freshly dyed hair and wore her by this time almost trademark sleeveless teal t-shirt as she pointed her finger at the scared woman.
- I´m asking you one last time, from where did you get that gear? – her voice was cold and angry. But the woman just shook her head.
- Bea, I can´t say, she won't give me more then.
- Who cares! I asked from where you have the gear? Don´t make me kick your ass!
The woman shook her head again. Bea stepped closer. She hated this! These two poor stupid women were just simple addicts. Slaves of their habit. Someone was using them and they were too weak to resist. Shame they are loyal enough to keep their mouth shut. Even if more than loyalty it is the need for next fix and steady supply what keeps them silent.
- For fuck sake! Don´t be this stupid! Don´t make me bash you!
The woman squatted down leaning against the wall and covering her face. Bea rolled her eyes.
- Fuck! – she said and stepped back. – I'm in good mood today and I won't spoil it for myself. I will give you time until tomorrow evening. You will find me and you will tell me who is your supplier by six o'clock, if not, I will put both of you to the medical. – She turned around and signaled Boomer to let the girl go. As soon as she did that the girl slumped down and rubbed her neck.
- You heard her! Don´t be stupid! - Boomer added and then followed Bea on the stairs.
They have reached the second floor and turned right, quickly walking towards the main hallway.
- Hey, Bea? – Boomer glanced at the redhead. – Listen, why don't you ask the governor about that yard again?
- Booms, I told you she won't let us have a barbeque in the yard.
- I know, I know. But it would be so nice, Maxine would love that.
- Booms I'm sure she will like the party too.
- And what about a big party in the entertainment room?
Bea chuckled. Boomer was on her neck for making a party for Maxine outside in the yard for weeks. Then for another few weeks, it was the idea of a huge party in the entertainment room.
- No Booms, I´m sure Maxine would prefer a small party in H1.
- Yeah, I guess. – Boomer shrugged as they walked into H1. Bea went straight to the sofa and plopped down next to Liz watching as Boomer disappeared in Allie's cell.
- Did everything go alright? – Liz asked.
- No, not really. They are stubborn like hell.
- Of course, they are. – Liz nodded. – They need their next fix, they won't give up easily.
- Yeah, stupid junkies! – Bea took few calming breaths, trying to get out problems out of her head, turning the top dog off and enjoying this rare opportunity for celebration. – So, how is it going?
- All good so far, Allie was waiting until you guys get back and Boomer can go for the cake. Rest is ready. Sonia is keeping Maxine occupied in her cell, so we are ready to go.
They both smiled, it was nice having something to celebrate. Maxine sure deserves a nice party and great birthday. This god damned place is full of bad and sad things, good ones must be treasured.
Bea Smith is not a big party girl, she has never been. Of course, she went to parties few times as a teenager, but then she met Harry and after that, they just hang out with his friends. After the wedding Bea never went to parties, she was not allowed. They held few parties at home, but that was not so much fun. She had to make sure that everything was perfect if she wanted to avoid a fight with Harry.
Strangely, she liked parties here at Wentworth. Most probably because it was a welcomed distraction. Keeping your spirit up in a prison is a hard task. As Liz once wisely said, you need something to do, someone to love and something to look forward to. Yeah, that is the key for sure, but it is hard to achieve. Something to do is very limited in a prison. You work, you eat, sleep and spend your free time with the same people, doing the same things. It can get boring. For her being the Top Dog and always having something to solve and fix is as much blessing as a curse. It might be stressing and nerve wrecking, hard and annoying, but at least it keeps her going. It keeps her occupied.
Someone to love is surprisingly the easiest part. She was lucky to have a bunch of good women around her. It was easy to love them. She had a mother figure and adviser in Liz, confidant, and sister in Maxine. Boomer is some sort of crazy cousin she never wanted. That was her small family, strangely more close-knit and loving then what she had outside.
Now, looking something forward to, well hell, that is almost impossible – especially for her. Other prisoners look forward to their release. They are pumped up thinking about the day when they will make their first few steps outside these gray walls. For her, there is nothing to look forward to. Nothing. She opened her eyes with a small sigh and lifted her head from the back of the chair.
Her eyes slid over the small place where they are locked into. Party is up and going for a few hours by now and Doreen is already passed out on the sofa while leaning heavily on Liz who obviously doesn't mind as she is softly running her fingers through her hair. Maxine and Sonia are in deep conversation by the look of it and one can just wonder what are they talking about. Then there are Booms and Allie. Bea couldn't help the smile forming on her face as she watched Boomer sway in the rhythm of the music. They were dancing for hours now. Booms is all drenched in sweat, but not stopping for a minute and Allie is lost in her world.
They were all laughing and dancing at the beginning together. Showing off crazy moves and enjoying the music. But at this point, Allie was lost in her own world. Just moving to the rhythm and obviously, her mind was far away. Lost in the music with a mind free from this place at least for a little while.
Allie sneaked out of her cell and tiptoed to the kitchenette. She was hoping to find at least half carton of orange juice. In the dark, she found one unopened on the counter. She saw it there hours ago and it was a pure miracle that nobody has taken it. She grabbed it and took a sip right there before turning back and walking back to her cell.
Suddenly she heard a strange muffled noise. She stopped dead in her track and held her breath listening from where the noise is coming from. Silent sniff hit her ears and now Allie new it is coming from the very first door right next to her.
She quietly knocked on the door, but didn't wait for the answer and slowly opened it.
- Maxine? Are you alright? – she stepped in and closed the door. It was hard to see anything in the dark cell, but she could make out Maxine curled up on the bed choking on muffled sobs. – What is wrong?
Maxine hugged the comforter closer and tried to hide her face as Allie sat down next to her.
- Hey, what is going on? – Allie asked in a whisper as she rubbed her hand over the bump under the covers what must have been Maxine´s side. The other woman just shook her head clutching the cover tightly. They sat in silence for a few minute, then finally Maxine spoke up.
- I´m ok, - she choked – just feeling a bit upset because of my birthday.
Heavy silence took over the room for a while. Both of them trying to grasp their thoughts and emotions. Allie was the first to speak.
- Don't let it get to you. You are young and you will be out soon.
-We won't get back these years Allie.
-No, we won't, but there is no need to dwell on it as we can't change it. We just have to make the most of it. There are some good people here and we can help each other grow and be better. You know, like Franky. We will get out and enjoy life more than before, more than anyone else.
And there it was again, the heavy silence.
-I know, I know – Maxine took a deep breath – I´m sorry it just, I got simply overwhelmed with it all.
- There is no need to apologize, we all have these days. Who don´t, they are nuts.
Maxine smiled softly, but then tears swelled up in her eyes again and there was no stopping them.
Bea was startled by soft yet still loud knocking on her door. First, she thought she just imagined it, but then there it was again. Three knocks followed by with a whisper.
- Bea? Bea! – it sounded like Allie.
The door opened and indeed it was Allie's blonde hair which peaked in.
- Bea, are you up? – she walked in and closed the door behind her.
-What?-she Bea asked confused.
-I´m sorry to wake you. I just, - she took one step closer – I´m coming from Maxine, she is really upset. She is crying and she is really overwhelmed at the moment. I tried to calm her, but I think it would be for the best if you checked on her too.
-What is wrong? – Bea sat up on the bed.
- Her birthday triggered some kind of emotional turmoil. I think that she is a little lost now.
Allie watched as Bea pulled on her sweat pants and stood up nodding. Lifting her head she stepped closer.
They were face to face just a few inches apart. Allie felt her head spin, totally overwhelmed by sensations caused by the redhead. Of course, she knew how divine the older woman smelled. She walked past her hundred times, she had a chance to take a sniff or when they sit close to each other. What thanks, god doesn't happen often, Allie couldn´t take that torture on a daily basis.
She felt the other woman´s warmth few times too. Standing behind her in the line for food or telephone. But having her this close, feeling her warmth, sensing her smell and almost feeling her breath on her own skin. Hmmm, as amazing as it is, it is overwhelming and numbing.
Beas' eyes found hers and they just stared at each other for a short while. Her brown eyes shined in the moonlight as she blinked sleepily. She smiled and gently placed her hand on Allie's biceps.
- Thank you. – she whispered as she stepped past the young blonde and opened the door.
Allie stood there, her body alive with hot tingling running from the spot where Bea touched her into her whole body. Then she smiled and followed the redhead out and then walked into her cell leaving Maxine is Bea´s care.