American Lifeline

Image from the Boondocks

The corner store was conveniently located across from the prison, attracting every new release. The inmate emerged from behind the wall. Looking up, for the first time in his life, to see a freedom that did not involve taking another’s.

He finally understood the bird’s song. Having had less money now, than when he entered prison.

“The cost of interest he thought.” Realizing he paid for his endless education with more than he could afford. A child who came out a man. Gay-free, moments were gone, in a hole he couldn’t escape.

He went from riding bikes, playing videogames and rock-paper-scissors- to fighting for a hard life and carving out his name on cock-diesel primates.

He walked into the store.

Years of pent-up rage taught him how to be the alpha dog in a cage. But he sought the sublime feeling he hadn’t received since being trapped inside the wall society conceals its crimes. Conditioning him to see an attack from anyone with a heart. In a place where survival was art.

The store conveniently placed porn magazines in the front. Sealed tight. He couldn’t preview what was inside, except one cover whose face disturbed him like a grimace in the shower.

It was his girl. His bright-eyed delight. The picture he tore his celly apart to find. His C.O. laughed when the fight denied his first attempt at parole.

This was why men abort love. They fear the pain of betrayals unrelenting hug.

Jay-z rang in his head. He knew he set her back, but-

“You don’t get a nigga back like that.”

He picked up the magazine, only one in stock. He stole it, the arresting officer from his youth, strutted out the back room, like a bully rolling, taking from allowance. And if it wasn’t, gave out knuckles and stomps. But in this case, he couldn’t beat it, and if he ran; SIMPLE! Just another dead criminal-increasing prisons rehab revenue.

The store owner laughed with excitement as the new release exited. Securing bonuses was easier than expected. The inmate had become familiar with life as a failure. Now a regular patient. Prison remained the great White mentor.

As the inmate was escorted back - in, to continue his state education, upset he did not get a chance to release his frustration-he asked a question that was giving him hell.

“If the porn magazine is in braille, do you get the same feeling?

The store owner grinned, then replied “Ahhh. We make it so you niggers can’t read the signs.”

The inmate shoved the officer and lunged at the store owner. The officer shot. The inmate fell, stretched out, struggling for breath, crawled to find safety in place there would never be.

The store owner leaned over, “but you’ll die before you can tell.”

The officer placed the picture on the inmate’s steady chest and said” We will treat her well.”