Confident Jailbird

She reached deep into her sling bag to dig for her vibrating phone. The caller ID had her inwardly cursing before she swiped right and hissed 'What?' through her teeth. He started with an apology then asked to her as soon as possible. 'It concerns the future of our children Maria...Please.'

'Fine'... came her irritated response. 'I will be there later this afternoon and if you dare make me wait, I'll gladly leave.' She added then hang up as soon as she breathed her last word.

By the time she got to the dusty Kirinyaga road, he was already there. She quickly noticed the few kilos he had gained during the two years she hadn't seen him while wondering if it was the right move to show up.

He smiled nervously when he saw her, probably because she looked the same since they last saw each or maybe he thought she cared that he didn't go see her in prison. Thinking a hug would be welcomed, he moved in for as she backed away from yelling at him not to touch her.

'Dont even think of touching me. I am only here because you mentioned my boy not because I am interested in being in your filthy arms...' she shot angrily at him.

I apologize for that...' he said as he tried to conceal the shame that came with her anger... Can we find somewhere and sit down? I will buy you lunch if you like.

'Not going anywhere with you Thomas, we can sit on a bench at the bus stop...' she replied. 'You have ten minutes to say what you want'.

Pixabay.

She walked to the nearest bus stop in a rush as he struggled to keep up behind her. The sun was burning right above her head and the city's air was too polluted to define what exactly was smelling.

He sat a minute after her and quickly dove into what he had to say. Apparently, he was sorry about her wrongful incarceration and that he didn't get to go see her in prison. He quickly added his excuses hoping they'd count as good reasons and continued to ask her if she ever thought of them getting back together for the sake of their sons.

'Are you done?' she asked. My being in prison gave me a different perspective on life... It allowed me to understand how lucky I am for managing to walk away from you without ever defending myself from your violent hands... Lucky because I didn't walk through those prison gates with a murder or manslaughter charge.'

'Never getting back with you...' she added. 'And kindly look for a better path to blackmail me with than my estranged children. For the last few years, I have survived without them and I am ready to keep at it if getting them back means letting an abusive man back in my life. Prison taught me better...'

And with that, she rose from her seat and disappeared in the human traffic as he sat there baffled with her oozing courage. He was sure she was no longer interested in him neither was she afraid of him and it freaked him out.

Pixabay.

Thank you for coming.

Also shared on my Whaleshares.