That night I was able to eat a shitty meal without feeling so shitty myself. Me and Joey were sitting side by side again and that made me even happier. After dinner it was back to the stupid fucking chores and bullshit. Why am the one that has to do this shit? It's dumb. This is what they called punishment for sneaking out? What kind of malarkey is this?!?!? I bitched and complained like hell but I got them done. It was about 7:45 when I got to the steps to head to my room when the doorbell rang. The warden's old ass was sitting at her desk waiting for the lord to come and take her ass away when she saw me and asked me to get the door.

  "Yes ma'am!" I faked.

Old bitch. She could have done it. Holding me up from my sleep and shit. I went to the door cussing her out in my head all the way. I opened it slowly and was going to say the usual greeting that we were well versed in saying whenever we got visitors when I saw him standing right in front of my face. I was so in shock that I slammed the door in a panic.

  "Shit! He's back! He's gonna tell I left again last night!"

Wilkinson called to me from her office.

  "Carlyn? Who's at the door?" He asked.

I had to come up with a lie quick.

  "Just a salesperson ma'am. That's all."

Prince began to knock on the door anxiously.

  "Hello? Can you let me in? It's kinda hot out here? I don't look good when I start sweating through my eye liner." He said from the other side of the door.

  "What??? This guy is trippin'!" I said to myself.

I opened the door and looked at him to make sure that I wasn't still dreaming. Prince flashed a cool smile and shook his head.

  "You are truly somethin' else little girl."

  "Are to coming to be a snitch?" I asked sharply.

He laughed again.

  "No. Can I talk to the head nun? That is if you're going to let me in at least."

I sighed and prayed that he wasn't here to set me up.

  "Come on. Mrs. Wilkinson is in her office." I said pointing him to the door on the right.

  "Don't look so nervous. That's how you tell on yourself." He said giving me a wink as he walked passed and inside the office.

Nice tip. But your just a tad too fucking late dippy. I swear this guy is like the cold sores they taught us about in health class last year.

I stood by the office door and listened in to the snitch fest that was about to ensue.

  "What brings you back to us Mr. Nelson?" She asked him happily.

  "Actually I wanted to talk to you about the girl from the other day. I should have called but it couldn't wait." He replied.

His deep voice was as soothing as a baby blanket.

  "You mean Carlyn? Did she do something wrong?"Wilkinson asked in a worried tone.

  "No ma'am not at all. I was thinking about her and I couldn't help but wonder is she your only teenaged girl?"

  "Well to be frank with you Mr. Nelson she's our only teenager period."

  "Hmmm. That's interesting. What if I let her come stay a nigh or two with me in Chanhassen. She'll be well supervised and judging from her iPod thing she has a good ear for music. Maybe I could give her a lesson or two. Keep her from getting restless."

The conversation stopped and there was no answer. I crossed my fingers and said a prayer.

  "Please say no please say no PLEASE say nooooo." I said to myself.

  "Ok! Music lessons won't hurt. I'm sure that would definitely keep her mind occupied."

  "How about I start tomorrow?"

  "How about now!" She said

  "NOW!?!?!" I exclaimed in a huff.

  "Now?" He asked.

  "Yes! Now! After all we have to nip the sneaking out in the bud quickly. She'll be sixteen in October. I want her to age out of the program properly in two years if she not adopted."

  "I can assure you she'll be in good hands."

  "That's good to hear. I'll call her down for you.
Carlyn?"

Fuck! This shit is actually happening! Be cool Carlz. You didn't hear any of this bullshit. The old bat beckoned again.

  "Carlyn? Come in here please."

Walk in calmly Carlyn. You know nothing.

  "Yes Mrs. Wilkinson." I replied with the dumbest smile on my fake happy face.

  "Get your things dear. You're going with Mr. Nelson for tonight."

That grim reaper smile plastered on her face meant that she was happy to be rid of me for a night.

  "With all due respect to this find old gentleman but I'm not leaving Joey. He doesn't like being here without me."

  "Carlyn it's just one night. You'll be back tomorrow morning. Joseph will be fine for a night." The old bat said.

  "Ugh! Terrific." I sneered at him.

  "Carlyn. What should you say to this kind man?"

  "Thank you for being so nice. I'm very grateful. Can I go now?" I hissed angrily.

  "Yes and you have five minutes." She said as I stomped up to my room.

As I was packing a small bag with an outfit and a clean set of pjs, Joey came in.

  "Hey Carly? Whatcha doin'?" He asked.

  "I have to go away for the night. I'll be back in the morning though."

  "Your sneaking out again?" He whispered.

  "No. This is the wardens doing. She sending me to music lessons with that Prince guy you seem to love so much."

  "HE'S HERE????" He shouted.

  "Downstairs in the wardens office." I said smiling.

  "I want to meet him! Can I come with you?"

  "Well you can come and meet him but then I have to go with him."

  "Why do you get the good stuff?" He pouted.

  "Trust me this isn't good. I really don't want to go but I don't have a say in the matter."

I zipped my book bag and took Joey by his little hand.

  "Come on squirt. Let's go meet your idol."

We went down to the bottom of the steps and inside the office. Prince was standing at the desk and shook Mrs. Wilkinson's hand when Joey let out a loud shriek of happiness.

  "ITS HIM! HE'S REALLY HERE!"

Prince giggled and came up to us. As Joey jumped up and down he crouched down to his level.

  "Hey there little man!  What's your name?"

  "I'm Joey!"

He laughed a little as Joey jumped up and down.

  "Well it's nice to meet you Joey."

  "It's nice to meet you. I know who you are." He said still jumping.

  "Oh really! Who am I?"

  "You're Prince!" He exclaimed.

Joey made Prince laugh and told him that he was a cute little guy. He patted him on the head and and afterward Mrs. Wilkinson sent him to his room to get ready for bed.

  "Bye Joey. I hope we meet again." Prince said.

  "Goodnight his royal badness." Joey said as he waved to him and ran up the stairs.

Mrs. Wilkinson saw me off and I got into Prince's black BMW. He got inside and started the car.

  "Hope you know we use seat belts around here." He said as he closed his door.

  "Yeah I know." I huffed.

  "Well miss Carlyn make it click then." He said as he put the car in drive.

I fastened my seatbelt and crossed my arms.

  "Sit back and enjoy the ride." He said through his smile.

We pulled away from the curb and away we went.

Yeah I'm really going to enjoy this......sike. No I'm not.