Part XXI:
With a flash that nearly blinded Todd’s light-sensitive eyes, the back doors of the cafeteria opened, leading the population to their allotted time out in the prison yard. Todd always felt like he was back in grade school and enjoying recess, but the barbed wire fence surrounding the yard quickly brought him back to reality. Lost in thought, he found himself gazing at one of the armed guards standing atop a tower overlooking the inmates.
Cliff was sitting on the ground, with his back to the fence, when Todd caught sight of him. He was sitting there, quietly meditating. Most of the people were either gathered in small circles or paying basketball to pass the time. It being the middle of summer, the heat was more powerful due to the high level of humidity in the air. The freshly sealed blacktop did little to make it feel more comfortable.
“I feel like I am in a pressure cooker,” Todd said as he approached Cliff, paying careful attention to how far they were from anybody in earshot.
Cliff looked up and squawked, “Is that your way of making small talk? Talking about the weather.”
Todd chuckled, “Hah. I guess so. I am just curious what it is you wanted to tell me in private. I couldn’t think of anything else to say. Can we speak privately now?”
To be continued…
