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"I like to think of it as bettering those who never had the opportunity before." Quirking my eyebrow up, I gave him a saucy grin. "But let's not talk about me today. I want to know more about you."
"Me?" he chuckled. "I've already told you a lot about me."
"It doesn't need to be your history. How's your week going? Have you made friends in here?"
"Friends?" He gave me an incredulous look. "Sunshine, this isn't recess on a playground. Most of these men have killed someone or hurt someone, and they'd all love to kill me to gain power. No, I have not made friends, but they all know not to come for me without the pain returning."
"So what do you do?" I hated this for him. How could one thrive in such survival?
"Well, I've been reading. I finished your book the first night you gave it to me, and I had Constantine here bring me a few more books from the library we have. It's helped to pass the time while stretching the muscles of my mind."
"You've already finished Tethered Apart?" I blinked and sat back. I had gotten halfway last night, but I still had a while to finish it before we'd discuss the ending at book club.
"I did, and I quite enjoyed it. I won't give any spoilers, but Maisie's strength helped me fortify mine while being in here."
"I'm halfway, but I plan to finish it this week before book club next week. I try not to read ahead if I get the time because I hate spoiling things for the others. I forget where their knowledge stops from only reading what needs to be read. Getting lost in the book really defies everything, and I love it."
"So do you have a second book handy for those moments?" he asked.
"Sometimes, but in all honesty, Friday is the only true day I have time to read because of how busy life gets to be. I go to this little coffee shop and read because my meetings are later those mornings. There's just something about the smell of coffee beans and the light hum of music that just sits well when I'm reading."
"It sounds magical," he replied. "Other than some arguments from others in their cells, I have the end one and can tune out their idiocies for the most part. The book helps escape once I drown out the extra noise."
"I love that. If I'm reading at home, I have to wear headphones to avoid Tim yelling at his game. My focus gets help by petting my cat, Whiskers. He loves when we get to cuddle on my bed and read."
"You have a cat?"
"I do!" My whole face lit up when he mentioned my furbaby. "Whiskers is basically the feline version of an emotional support animal for me. He's a little banged up from a rough start, but he loves hard."
"Banged up?" he questioned.
"When the shelter found him as a kitten, his eye had been messed up and he has a permanent limp when he moves sometimes. They said I'd be doing him the favor of adopting him, but he helps me feel loved every night. He greets me the second I walk in, and he lets me snuggle him when I need some extra loves too."
"Extra loves?" My word choice had him smiling.
"Yeah. He's the best for that next to my best friend. Kasey isn't as sweet as Whiskers, but she's there when I need her to be. I don't think I could ever live without either and be happy. I mean, I know Whiskers won't live forever, but I've only had him for a year. We have so much time left together that I find joy in it. Kasey will forever be stuck with me because we've been the two of us for so long. It'd feel like a death without her." Realizing I had been the one talking again, I stopped myself and cleared my throat. "Do you have friends like that?"
"I have two on the top of my head. They will literally do anything to help me, and they know I'd do the same."
"Are they in the states, or are they back home?" I pried just a little to learn more.
"When work allows it, they've checked in on me, but I know life continues while I'm locked away. They have things to do, and I have a life to contemplate while I'm in here, reading books." Winking at me, I grinned and bit my lip. Part of me felt like prison might be a vacation. Besides the anarchy of other prisoners and the poor food quality, I'd enjoy reading in a room without other responsibilities.
"Maybe I can meet them if they come here again. I'd love to know those who have helped you."
My words surprised him. He had to think it over before fidgeting a little. "They're men who grew up in our harsh environment, Sunshine. Would you be comfortable around people like that?"
"Draven, you clearly know them well enough for me to know they'd be good men. I'd worry if I'd make them uncomfortable."
"You?" He shook his head. "They'd trip over themselves in your presence, Sunshine. They'd want your light in their life too."
"My light?"
"It's the only thing keeping me sane," he nearly growled, creating goosebumps to take over my arms. He could see my reaction before I moved my arm below the table. Taking my breath away, he wasn't done. "When I don't have a book to whisk me away, I've contemplated whisking you away on an adventure. What would you be like in my environment? It worries me because of how bright your light is, and I fear dimming it."
"W-whisking me away?" I stuttered with a laugh. "Like a dark romance where she gets kidnapped by the perfect man?"
"Other than I'm not the perfect man," he corrected falsely. “If you ask me what my favorite book is, I’d say Where the Sidewalk Ends because I read it as a child with my mother, before becoming this evil entity. This embodiment of horrors.
