'Live fish'
Vera is just getting back from her lunch break to be greeted by Fletch. “Hey Vera!” Vera started to walk away as Fletch called her again.
“Uh Vera, I believe this is to go to the Governor.” He holds out a large box with ‘Live Fish’ on the side of it.
What the hell would the Governor want with a fish? Vera thought to herself
Vera picks up the box making sure not to jostle it around because there is a live fish in it after all. She heads her way down the corridors and makes her way to the Governor's office. Vera knocks and opens the Governor’s door to see Joan looking at her computer.
“This arrived for you yesterday, must've got held up in reception.” Joan pauses and looks slightly confused as to what exactly Vera is holding in her hands. “It's a fish.” Joan continues to stay silent as Vera turns around to put the box on the desk behind her.
“Matthew Fletcher, why is he back in general?” Joan said with clear agitation
“I think he’s ready.” Vera said confidently
“Really, you didn't think to discuss it with me first.”
“Staff roster is my responsibility. It's my opinion that he’s ready to be reintegrated into the normal work routine.” Vera furrowed her eyebrows
“Whats-What's going on here? What's the matter? I'm sensing some tension. We cannot be an effective team, Vera if you put up barriers between us.”
“Team?" Vera said confusingly.
"Is that what we are?” Vera's eyes started to twitch in confusion and anger.
Joan looked down at the words her deputy just said. “Dinner, tonight my house.”
“Wh- Excuse me?” Vera was looking for some kind of emotion on Joans face.
“What, you have other plans? Seven o'clock. Bring a bottle of uh, something nice. Red, Shiraz, that'd be good. I have Vodka. That's all.” Joan gave a light smile
“Eh,.. Ok Governor see you tonight.” Vera said wryly
Vera walked down the halls and was replaying what just happened in her head over and over. She was a little confused as to why the Governor wanted to have her over for dinner but was surprised at the same time. Vera put the thought in the back of her head to continue working through the rest of her shift.
Vera’s shift was now over and on her way out she saw Joan and started to blush a little when she thought about the night that was ahead of her. Vera was quite scared also. She watched as Joan walked out to her car and got in and drove off before Vera was even to leave the prison.
Fletch saw Vera as she watched the Governor leave and how Vera was waiting until she left to even sign out. “What's that all about?” Fletch mentioned in curiosity
“Nothing Fletch I'll see you tomorrow.”
Vera walked out and made her way home. When she got to her house she realized that it was nearly 5pm. Vera quickly ran to the store to grab some wine. She saw Shiraz but she didn't grab it because she strongly disliked it, so she grabbed Pinot instead. She hoped that this was good enough for Joan. She checked herself out at the store and walked back out to the car. She made her way back home to start getting ready.
Vera hopped in the shower and quickly started to wash herself. After her shower she blowdried her hair. She didn't bother putting on any makeup. After she was done with her hair she made her way over to her wardrobe. She decided she was going to wear a gray v-neck blouse with black skinny jeans not wanting to be overly dressed. She made her way downstairs to put on her shoes and grab her bag as she went out the door.
Vera got in her car and drove herself to Joan's. She arrived five minutes early to make sure that she was on time so she did not annoy Joan. She grabbed the bottle of wine from the passengers seat and got out of her car. Vera walked up to the door and knocked hesitantly. Joan opened the door with a smile on her face.
Joan stood in front of her with her gorgeous black and silver hair that came down to her shoulders. She hardly ever saw Joan with her hair down and when she did she could see a certain softness about her. She wore a dark green almost black blouse that had a slight mesh in certain spots, with black trousers that accentuated her long legs. Vera loved seeing Joan in regular clothes. It made her look a little less intimidating.
Vera handed her the bottle of wine. “Pinot!” Joan smiled reassuringly
“I don't like Shiraz.” Vera blushed hoping she didn't upset Joan. Joan gestured for her to come in.
Vera entered the older woman's house and noticed how she took her shoes off at the front door. Without any hesitation she took her shoes off and followed Joan into the dining room.
“Sit, I'm almost finished, Just need to grab some glasses.”
Vera sat down waiting for Joan to come back with the glasses. Joan came back and poured them both a shot of vodka and a glass of wine to go with their food. There was nothing but silence between them and Vera didn't know what to say so she decided to look around Joan's home and take in the space.
This is so Joan. Vera thought in her head
“You know that I've always wanted to be more than just a mentor to you." Joan hesitated before continuing. "I value our relationship. Let me explain why." She took a sip of her wine as she continued. "I enjoy working with you, and I feel that that sense of professional satisfaction is reciprocated. I believe that we've developed a certain report, based on our mutual respect and understanding. That transcends our difference in status, hmm?” Joan now became nervous with herself not understanding why.
“I'm not one to develop friends e-.” Joan lifted her hand to her nose in fear that everything she was saying is wrong. “But I do feel that we still… We share a common philosophy, when it comes to corrections. I don't feel that were that dissimilar..” Joan started to trail off before Vera interrupted her.
“No, Stop!" Vera put her hand up. "Okay just stop. You and I are nothing alike. I would never do to anyone what you did to me.” Vera became infused with anger Is she really doing this now? Of all times she chose now?
“I don't know what you're talking about.” Joan trailed off knowing where this conversation was going
“During the riot, when the prisoners had a syringe to my throat… You refused to negotiate. You were willing to throw me out to that pack of dogs without a second thought.”
“That is not true--”
“Stop lying, I know what you're trying to do!” Vera now extremely frustrated and starts to grind her teeth
“Someone is trying to drive a wedge between us.” Joan said concerningly
“You don't care about me! You have NEVER cared about me!” Vera practically heard the echo of her own scream.
“I do, I do care about you.” Joan hesitantly reached over to caress Vera's hand to try and comfort her.
“They stabbed me with a needle.” Vera's lip started to twitch
“Well that is hardly my fault.”
Veras lip were now quivering. ”I have hepatitis C.” She let out in one breath hesitantly.
Joan looked at their hands and pulled away like she had just been burned, rubbing her hand on her napkin as a way to get rid of the germs. Joan wanted to keep her hand there, she knew that she couldn't get Hep C through touch but she couldn't help that she was a germaphobe.
Vera stood up and was feeling so much hatred and hurt towards the older woman. Vera got her things and walked out without so much as a goodbye. The smaller woman got in her car and drove to her house trying to hold back tears. As soon as she got in her driveway she parked and shut the car off.
“UGHAAAAA.” Vera screamed out banging her palms on the steering wheel as tears uncontrollably fell from her doe eyes. She continued to bang on the steering wheel in frustration. When she finally got herself together she walked inside, kicked offer shoes, not even bothering to put them where they go. She went upstairs and took off all her clothes and ran a hot shower.
Vera got in and hissed to the temperature of the water but soon got used to it. She sat down in the bottom of the tub and brought her knees up to her chest and started to rock back and forth sobbing. She felt useless; she just wanted to stay there all night.
Vera had been in the shower for at least 20 minutes sobbing not knowing what to do. Feeling as tho she had failed at life.
All of the sudden she felt the water turn off and strong arms wrap around her.