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“Take all the time you need. Your friend has plenty looks like.” The guard went over to stand by the one window. She smiled at them as she leaned against the wall.

  “What’s up with your mama and daddy?” Jazz whispered close to MiMi’s ear.

  “We’re not exactly a happy family. That’s the short version.” MiMi gave a bitter laugh at the understatement.

  “Yeah, but they’ve got the money and their kid is in a third world prison. They gotta know this is some serious shit.” Jazz poked MiMi’s arm to get more information.

  MiMi sighed. She hadn’t talked to Willa or Jazz much about her family. They’d grown up in a very different world of poverty, foster homes, and abusive adults. MiMi by contrast had attended excellent private schools, had the best clothes, and went through all the Black upper-class rituals. Yes, they had money, status and respectability. And they were as dysfunctional as hell.

  “We have our own unique issues,” MiMi replied. “They care more about appearances for one thing.”

  “More than their kid? That’s some dark shit. No wonder you don’t talk about ‘em much,” Jazz murmured.

  “I don’t think about it that much,” MiMi replied and sat straight. “I have an idea. Mention the longer this drags on, the more chances it will make the news.”

  “Damn, and I thought our parents were messed up.” Jazz shook her head.

  They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, mulling over their mother issues. Willa strode back in with a determined smile. The lawyer and interpreter followed behind her.

  “Mr. Columba and the judge have been most helpful. I also talked to Mr. Landry.” Willa’s smile stretched tighter when she referred to MiMi’s father. “He understands our situation.”

  “Our situation? I’m sitting in prison,” MiMi clipped. She was about to go on but stopped when Willa shot a sideways glance in the lawyer’s direction. Something in Willa’s expression implied subtext that begged for explanation. Yet MiMi could tell Willa didn’t want to talk in front of the others. MiMi sighed. “I’m sorry.”

  Willa walked up to MiMi and took bother her hands. “I’m working on getting you out in the morning.”

  “Okay.”

  After saying their goodbyes, during which MiMi managed not to cry, she was taken back to the prison. She fell into the cell block routine with frightening ease. Three weeks locked up and she seemed to become an inmate in spirit as well as physically. The guards went through the procedure of searching her. Then she changed back into prison clothes, was searched again and taken to a mandatory class. Reforms at Najayo Prison included regular activities. Not only did prison officials want the women to learn skills, they knew inmates sitting around all day everyday only led to trouble.

  The instructor let out a sharp sigh of relief when she saw MiMi. “Oh good, you’re still here. I’ve told the assistant warden thirty students is too big a class. I have them in groups. You take those two.”

  “Yeah, Senorita Suarez. Thank heavens she’s still locked up for you, huh?” Rosaria, a short inmate always poking fun, let out a gruff laugh. She grinned when others giggled at her joke.

  Mrs. Suarez turned pink. “Of course I didn’t mean… I’m sorry you weren’t released, MiMi. Of course I am.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll get started,” MiMi said to cut off more stammering and apologizing.

  They were reading a sweeping romance novel with plenty of family conflict. MiMi had suggested using commercial fiction as a way to get the women more engaged in discussions. They talked about family conflict, making the right life choices, and of course, men. As the class went on, MiMi worked to pay attention, but had trouble concentrating. Fortunately, the current chapter had so much drama, a lively discussion went on without prompting. Mrs. Suarez must have noticed MiMi’s distracted mood. She didn’t scold her. Instead, the older woman took control of most of the hour long class. When the bell signaled lunch time, Mrs. Suarez asked MiMi to stay behind. She nodded to the guard.

  Luz separated from the other women jostling to leave. “I’ll put up the books and stuff for you, Mrs. S.”

  Mrs. Suarez waved a hand at her without looking around. She turned to MiMi. “If you want to talk, I can stay a while.”

  “I’m good. I’ll help Luz.” MiMi started to walk off, but Mrs. Suarez grabbed her arm.

  “Listen, I know you’re not the typical inmate. I’m sure you can learn from one mistake and put this behind you,” Mrs. Suarez said quietly.

  MiMi was in no mood for a heart to heart. “Thanks. Do you want the pencils and note pads on the shelf or in the cabinet.”

  Mrs. Suarez took the hint and neatly switched gears. “Hmm, oh put them in the cabinet. Luz, could you take that cloth and dust a bit. This room stays locked, so they don’t clean in here as often as they should.”

  “Sure thing,” Luz called back. When MiMi got closer, Luz winked at her. “Hey, cheer up. We both know your girls gone get you out.”

  “It’s not my girls I’m worried about. I don’t want to talk about it,” MiMi grumbled.

  “Sure. I know how it feels comin’ back from court.” Luz gave her a sympathetic look. “But we need to talk.”

  “Luz, I really don’t…”

  Luz checked to make sure Mrs. Suarez was preoccupied across the room at her desk. “Not about that. Remember I told you to watch Diana?”

  MiMi frowned. “Yeah.”

  “She’s got a guy on the outside. I wouldn’t call him a boyfriend. They hook-up whenever. You know how that goes.” Luz pretended to concentrate on dusting chairs and desks, but stayed close to MiMI.

  “Not really.” MiMi glanced over at Mrs. Suarez as well.

  “They do some business together, and party whenever,” Luz whispered.

  “Uh-huh.” MiMi nodded. What Luz meant was Diana and the man would get involved in mutually profitable criminal business. They also had casual sex when it suited them.

  “This guy Bruno wants Diana to find out if your boyfriend is trying to move money, drugs and guns. He wants in. So we got to make sure you stay out of her way for a while.

  “Exactly how am I supposed to pull off that miracle? She’s in our cell. Besides, I’m not going to tell her anything because there’s nothing to tell.” MiMi’s stomach tightened with anxiety.

  “She got moved to another cell while you were in court,” Luz whispered. She smiled when Mrs. Suarez looked up at them. “We’re going to clean the tops of the bookcases and that file cabinet.”

  “Great idea. I’ll bet there’s enough dust up there to grow crops,” Mrs. Suarez replied. She went back to grading assignments.

  “Why did they move her?” MiMi kept her back to Mrs. Suarez. She looked down as though sorting through the workbooks used in class.

  “I don’t know. Anyway, my pals won’t let her sit next to you at lunch. Just stay outta her way.” Luz moved away humming as she dusted. Then a few minutes later, she moved back.

  “With any luck, I’ll be out and on a plane tomorrow,” MiMi said. “And I’m not scared of Diana.”

  “The little college princess talking tough,” Luz teased.

  “I handled Carissa when she got in my face, didn’t I?” MiMi shot back. Two days after she’d been on the cell block, the woman had tried to bully her.

  “You held your own. Just remember the fight moves I taught you in the yard.”

  MiMi thought about her parents, Roderick and others who had tried to bring her down. “Screw being the ‘princess’ everybody thinks they can mess with. From now on, I’m going to be a warrior queen.”

  “You better save that for when you get outta here. This ain’t your world,” Luz said.

  “It is now,” MiMi said fiercely. When she slapped a stack of books on a shelf, Mrs. Suarez jumped. MiMi smoothed the angry expression from her face and smiled. “We’re through, Mrs. Suarez.”

  Two hours later, MiMi sat perched on a table with her feet resting on the bench attached to it. She watched four other inmates play
cards. The recreation room had two other tables and single plastic chairs scattered around. Guards observed from a command station a few yards away. One female guard walked the floor, alert for signs of trouble. Elise, a young Haitian woman, kept yawning.

  “Hey, America,” Elise said without looking up from her cards. She liked calling MiMi by the nickname some of the women had given her. “After this hand, I’m out.”

  “Okay, why you tryin’ to get out now that you got most of my cigarettes? Nah, I’m gonna win them back.” A tall woman from La Romana, a city near the Dominican Republic capital, frowned at Elise.

  Elise grinned at her, head tilted to one side. “You can’t win them back ‘cuz I’m that good. Besides, there’s always another game on another day.”

  “Humph,” the woman grunted. She mumbled a few words, but said no more.

  “Hey, you’ll probably win from me. I’m terrible at cards,” MiMi spoke up to defuse a possible problem.

  “Rich America, you don’t smoke. Hey, I bet you got some nice lipstick or mascara with my name on it,” the woman replied. The disgruntled creases in her brow smoothed out as she smiled at MiMi.

  MiMi was about to reply when she saw movement to her left. Diana strolled up with two other women. She sat on the other end of the table. Her two friends stood, arms crossed. The guard seemed to be busy making notes on a log. The card players were intent on the game. At least they acted like it. MiMi felt the atmosphere press in on her.

  Chapter 3

  “Yeah, she’s got money. Why not just give it out to your friends and skip the game?” Diana spoke languidly.

  “I’ll decide who gets what when.” MiMi kept her tone casual as well. She saw the card players tense. Several cleared their throats.

  “I woulda asked you in private, but sense you got me moved, I had to come find you,” Diana said softly. “What lie did you tell the assistant warden, rata?”

  MiMi looked at her briefly then away. “You’re delusional. I’m no rat.”

  “She says your loco, demente,” one of the two women explained when Diana glanced at them.

  “Big English words to insult me. You better watch yourself, rata,” Diana spat.

  To be called out as a snitch was dangerous in prison. Only a month ago MiMi would have tried to talk her way out of a confrontation. But that was before she’d been kicked around one too many times. Every disappointment and let down flashed through her like a hot stake pushing her to the edge.

  MiMi stood to face Diana. “I’m not the rat, Diana. Tell everybody how you got special treatment before they cleaned this place up. We’d all love to hear the story of who you gave up.”

  “Perra,” Diana growled.

  “Yeah, I’m the bitch ready to take that hot man of yours. He’s been sending me love notes since he saw me in court the other day.”

  “That’s bullshit. Mateo doesn’t even know you,” Diana shot back, now on her feet with her hands balled into fist. Her irrational jealously about her lover was legendary.

  MiMi smiled. “He’s out with charges still pending, right? He managed to get close. I thought he was going to ask about you. I was looking good, so I guess he changed his mind.”

  Diana growled and took a swing at MiMi with an open hand. MiMi didn’t run. Instead she caught the hand, twisted it hard and jerked Diana closer. A sharp kick to Diana’s side made her scream. The other two women tried to join the fight, but three card players blocked them.

  “Nah, Diana started it. Let her finish it,” Elise said.

  Diana rushed head first to tackle MiMi. Instead she ran into MiMi’s foot. The tip of MiMi’s sneaker clipped Diana’s chin just as three guards ran up. Two grappled with the battling women to separate them. The third guard stood with a baton raised, a warning for the other inmates not join the fray. Three more guards raced to the lounge. They barked orders for the women to return to their cells.

  “You must like it here, Señorita Landry,” a guard shouted as she shoved MiMi away from Diana.

  “I defended myself,” MiMi said. She breathed heavily from the fight and the effort to speak coherently.

  “She’s tellin’ the truth,” an inmate being herded out shouted. “Take a look at the video.”

  More inmates joined in the chorus as everyone picked a side. The guards barked warnings at them. Reinforcements helped clear the lounge. MiMi and Diana were taken to be examined in the prison clinic. Aside from bruises, neither of them had been seriously hurt. Both were ordered to cool off in solitary confinement. After reviewing the video, the supervising guard and assistant warden let MiMi return to her cell. Her dinner arrived on a tray twenty minutes later. Luz came back from an evening group session and sat on the floor. She watched MiMi eat for a few minutes.

  “They still letting you out tomorrow,” Luz said finally.

  “I cursed being watched all the time, but I’m loving those cameras now,” MiMi said around chews. The beans and rice at least were still warm. “My first meal will be a shrimp po-boy when I get home.”

  “Or maybe they just want you outta here. The last thing the government wants is an American princess getting messed up in here.” Luz grinned at MiMi.

  MiMi paused with the spoon halfway to her mouth. “Sounds like you know a lot. You heard something?”

  “Me? Nah, I ain’t got no ears in here,” Luz replied mildly. “The Americans get testy when one of their own gets hurt. US reporters would have a good time splashing the news all over.”

  “You pay attention.” MiMi gazed at her. She developed a different assessment of the young woman.

  Luz gave a gruff laugh as she flipped the pages of a graphic novel with a moral lesson. “What, I’m not the dumbass third world skank you thought I was? I may not have a college degree, but I know stuff.”

  “Like how Diana got moved to a different cell,” MiMi said quietly.

  Luz turned slowly on the bench to face her. “Some friends did us both a favor. Leave it at that.”

  MiMi put the plate on the bed. “What’d she do to you, Luz?”

  Luz stood and walked to the front of their cell. She leaned against it casually for a few seconds, the graphic novel in one hand. After looking around she sat next to MiMi. Luz again turned pages of the graphic novel.

  “Nothin’ you want to know about. Unfinished business, she thinks it’s over.” Luz’s soft voice sounded dangerous.

  “Great, and now she thinks I jacked her instead.” MiMi grabbed one of Luz’s comic books. She stood and went to the bars to double check no one was nearby to listen.

  “You’ll be out of the country and out of reach by tomorrow. Diana got plenty of enemies anyway. She gonna look for somebody closer to home to blame anyway,” Luz replied.

  MiMi looked around at her. “Like you.”

  Luz flipped the book closed and drew her legs up to wrap her legs around her knees. “I can take care of me. Stop tryin’ to be somethin’ you ain’t.”

  MiMi studied her for a few minutes. She crossed her arms. “I tell you who I am, a fed up former princess sick of being played.”

  ****

  True to her word, Willa showed up the next morning at ten thirty with Mr. Columba. They presented the release paperwork to the warden. MiMi watched in surprise as the process to set her free went smoothly. Her heart pounded each time the warden or officer in charge paused to scan a sheet of paper. Forty-five minutes later they were in the rented Toyota Rav 4. MiMi let out a gasp once the SUV cleared the heavy yellow gates.

  “Get us the hell out of here,” MiMi said, her voice shaking.

  Willa turned around in the front passenger seat. She grabbed MiMi’s hand, squeezed it hard, then let go. For the next few miles, no one spoke. The drive from San Cristobal to the airport in Santo Domingo was a short fifteen miles. Jazz drove as though she’d lived in San Cristobal. She even let out a few choice words in Spanish for bad drivers. When Willa turned around to stare at the bandage on her hand and the bruises, MiMi knew what was coming.

/>   Willa raised both her dark salon contoured eyebrows at her. “You want to talk about it?”

  “They told us you got into a fight with a tough girl, but you’re okay,” Jazz blurted out. She glanced at MiMi in the rearview mirror before looking at the road again.

  “My former cell mate came at me. I’m gone and she’s still locked up. End of story.” MiMi looked out of the window.

  “Something about you is different.” Willa studied her. When MiMi didn’t answer, she tapped her on the knee. “Hey, us three been through a few things together. We’re on your side.”

  “Not like your high and mighty parents.” Jazz spoke with her characteristic bluntness. “And don’t shush me, Willa. I’m just speaking truth.”

  MiMi swallowed hard as a tear managed to escape before she could wipe it away. “Obviously we’re not the Cosbys.”

  “Humph.” Jazz glanced at Willa and seemed to decide not to say more.

  With a deep breath in and out, MiMi pushed aside her sadness. She’d long ago learned to live without warmth or true affection from her parents. They’d given her money, cars, and a nice private school education. She’d always managed to take advantage of the privileges that came with being Drexel James Landry’s daughter. She’d looked for love elsewhere. At least now she had her friends. She looked at Willa.

  “Diana thought I’d told the guards something to get her in trouble and out of my cell. I put my foot up her behind, convinced her she got it wrong.” MiMi smiled when Willa’s eyes went wide.

  “You got into a fight, a fist flying real fight?” Willa’s open mouth formed a wide circle. She glanced at her sister.

  Jazz slapped the steering with one hand. “Give up the juicy details.”

  “I got in a lick upside her ugly head and kicked her in the kidneys.” MiMi giggled when Jazz hooted.

  “Oh hell naw.” Jazz burst out laughing.

  “Keep your eyes on the road,” Willa said.

  “Let’s turn in the car, get checked in and hear the rest of this story.” Jazz laughed as she pulled to the rental car parking lot.

  Thirty minutes later they had their boarding passes and sat in the Delta Sky Lounge. With four hours until their flight, they had time to relax. All three took advantage of the ladies restrooms that included an attendant. MiMi changed into comfortable knit leggings, a long tunic and flats. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she breathed even easier now. They were actually closer to being off the ground and away from her nightmare. Once they got settled with beverages, Jazz grinned at MiMi.