“What’s on your mind?” She reached out and held his free hand.
“Nothing… everything.” He didn’t make eye contact with her. “Just wondering what kind of father I’m gonna be. Didn’t really have that figure in my life when I needed it the most, you know? And you know all my issues.”
Her grip tightened. “I think you’re gonna be great. You were great with Daryl’s kid after he passed away. You’re great with kids on calls.”
“That’s different. That’s a temporary thing. I do what I do and send them on home.” He sipped on his juice, still unable to fully look at her. “My Ma told me something the other day when I went over there. Said that parenthood doesn’t stop at eighteen. It’s a job that goes until the day you die.” Looking up, he pursed his lips. “What she said has been running through my head since the moment you told me about this little one.”
“She’s right, and it’s good that you realize it. I’m scared too, but we’ll be fine. That’s why we have each other.”
“I just hope life settles down a little bit. You can’t deny that the past few years have been… interesting, yeah?”
“To say the least, but we got through all of that. You better get ready, because in about eight months, you’re gonna see just how good of a father you’re gonna be. You might not see it now, but I know it for a fact.”
Michael couldn’t help but smile. “I’m not much of a praying man, but I hope to God the baby gets your family genes and not mine.”
“I wouldn’t wish too much for that. You’ve only gotten a taste of how the Crisante’s are. Now come to bed. I can’t stand cranky Mikey who got no sleep the night before.”
He stood up to follow her back to the bedroom, but stopped her halfway back. “There’s one more thing I gotta tell you. I’ve been thinking a lot about that damn letter I got in the mail.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I think I’m gonna set up a meeting at Rikers on Friday when I’m off again. Just nip this thing in the bud and get it done. I’ve got better things to invest my energy in now.”
Nodding, Eva tiptoed, grazing her lips over his. “I think that’s the right choice.”
“Well I’m glad you think so.”
He fell into bed beside her, her back fitting perfectly against his stomach. Her warmth was comforting, and for the first time that night, he was able to doze, until he completely relaxed and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
***
Friday morning came quick, and Michael found himself standing at the security gate at the entrance of Rikers. Setting up a visit usually took more time, but with Viper’s willingness, it was pushed through fast. Having gone through an inmate visitation before, Michael knew what to expect and left all of his personal belongings with the appropriate staff, including his watch and wallet.
He tried not to let his nerves get the best of him. He was on the verge of throwing up all morning, and he and Eva both stood together, huddled near the toilet as if he was going through the morning sickness with her. He wasn’t sure if she was sick from that, or if she was feeding off of him and feeling just as anxious as him.
“Michael McGinnis, step forward!” A guard yelled, moving him through the metal detector that separated the free world from the place where hardened criminals waited out their time.
Michael remembered the smell instantly. It was a combination of bleach, cafeteria food, and a locker room. He could have
“Nothing… everything.” He didn’t make eye contact with her. “Just wondering what kind of father I’m gonna be. Didn’t really have that figure in my life when I needed it the most, you know? And you know all my issues.”
Her grip tightened. “I think you’re gonna be great. You were great with Daryl’s kid after he passed away. You’re great with kids on calls.”
“That’s different. That’s a temporary thing. I do what I do and send them on home.” He sipped on his juice, still unable to fully look at her. “My Ma told me something the other day when I went over there. Said that parenthood doesn’t stop at eighteen. It’s a job that goes until the day you die.” Looking up, he pursed his lips. “What she said has been running through my head since the moment you told me about this little one.”
“She’s right, and it’s good that you realize it. I’m scared too, but we’ll be fine. That’s why we have each other.”
“I just hope life settles down a little bit. You can’t deny that the past few years have been… interesting, yeah?”
“To say the least, but we got through all of that. You better get ready, because in about eight months, you’re gonna see just how good of a father you’re gonna be. You might not see it now, but I know it for a fact.”
Michael couldn’t help but smile. “I’m not much of a praying man, but I hope to God the baby gets your family genes and not mine.”
“I wouldn’t wish too much for that. You’ve only gotten a taste of how the Crisante’s are. Now come to bed. I can’t stand cranky Mikey who got no sleep the night before.”
He stood up to follow her back to the bedroom, but stopped her halfway back. “There’s one more thing I gotta tell you. I’ve been thinking a lot about that damn letter I got in the mail.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I think I’m gonna set up a meeting at Rikers on Friday when I’m off again. Just nip this thing in the bud and get it done. I’ve got better things to invest my energy in now.”
Nodding, Eva tiptoed, grazing her lips over his. “I think that’s the right choice.”
“Well I’m glad you think so.”
He fell into bed beside her, her back fitting perfectly against his stomach. Her warmth was comforting, and for the first time that night, he was able to doze, until he completely relaxed and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
***
Friday morning came quick, and Michael found himself standing at the security gate at the entrance of Rikers. Setting up a visit usually took more time, but with Viper’s willingness, it was pushed through fast. Having gone through an inmate visitation before, Michael knew what to expect and left all of his personal belongings with the appropriate staff, including his watch and wallet.
He tried not to let his nerves get the best of him. He was on the verge of throwing up all morning, and he and Eva both stood together, huddled near the toilet as if he was going through the morning sickness with her. He wasn’t sure if she was sick from that, or if she was feeding off of him and feeling just as anxious as him.
“Michael McGinnis, step forward!” A guard yelled, moving him through the metal detector that separated the free world from the place where hardened criminals waited out their time.
Michael remembered the smell instantly. It was a combination of bleach, cafeteria food, and a locker room. He could have
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