Dade County Department of Corrections

January 14, 2022

Joe slowly opened his eyes and stretched on his bunk. It was yet another day in which he was locked in a 6 x 9 cell. After having a decent, but junk food meal, he actually rested comfortably for the first time since he was arrested. He felt that people, more specifically men, understood his plight and his predicament. A woman that he'd given his heart to and had developed feelings for had used him for his money and try to make a fool of him.

As he laid on his bunk and looked around at his surroundings, he heard a light tapping on his cell bars , when he looked over, he saw that it was Officer Atwater.....

"What's up C.O?" Joe asked as he rubbed his eyes.

"Good morning Mr. Anoa'i." He replied.

"What time is it?" Joe asked as he sat up yawning.

"It's just after 7 in the morning. Actually, it's 7:03, I've been here since 6." Atwater said, as he looked at his watch.

"Oh ok, so Lashley is gone then?" Joe asked.

"Yea, he leaves at 6, but he'll be back this evening." Atwater said.

"Oh ok cool." He replied.

"I also came to tell you that you have a lawyer visit at 11:00. The breakfast trays will be around at 8 and if you wanna shower, those open at 8:30." Atwater said.

"That nasty ass breakfast, it ain't nothing but roadkill on a dirty tray. Nah...I'll pass but I'll get up for a shower though." Joe said causing Atwater to laugh.

"I hear you. Yeah that food be looking like...yuck!" Atwater agreed. "But check this out though."

Atwater pulled an Egg McMuffin from McDonald's out of a bag and gave it to Joe.

"Aye good looking out C.O." Joe said with a smile.

"Fa sho. You the only inmate I got on this hallway, so I could give you things and it not be an issue. Well, I can't give you anything, so don't be asking for no crazy shit. I got a baby momma and some kids, so I need my job." Atwater said laughing.

"I get you. I wouldn't do that, but I do appreciate you and Lashley. My people are supposed to be dropping bread on my books today. I guess my lawyer will let me know when I see him on my visit." Joe said.

"Oh ok cool." Atwater said before walking away.

After Atwater left, Joe got up and did his routine of 500 push-ups. As he did his routine workout, he began to reflect.......

Joe's POV

I just thought I'd get a little bit of exercise and before I get freshened up for my lawyer visit. As I continue to sit here, I reflect about everything that's happened to me. Once again, I asked myself, was it worth it? Should I have let Theresa get under my skin so bad that I ended up taking her life and life of that bitch friend of hers? And when I think about how she stole my money from my account and not only spent it on herself buying cheap wigs, gaudy jewelry, and girls' trips, but the bitch had the audacity to spend my money on what she thought was her low vibrational sneaky links that she thought I didn't know about. So once again, it was more than worth it. Her thinking she was slick and clever landed her 6 feet under. And as far as her useless friend is concerned, it was her bad advice to get the bag is what caused her to be 6 feet under as well.

So to answer my own question, hell yeah it was most definitely worth it. Because nobody steals my money, plays me for a chump and I think that I would not let them get away with it. To steal from me, is like  my playing with my emotions, a cardinal sin that will most definitely get you murdered.

After I finish my push-ups, I tell Officer Atwater that I want to take my shower.

When Atwater escorts me to the shower area, I noticed that some of the inmates in the other hall are staring at me intensely.....

"Hey there pretty boy. Wanna be my cellie? I'm awfully lonely in here." One inmate who looks like Richard Simmons calls out.

"Aye, it's fresh meat 'round this bitch!" Another inmate with a deep voice calls out.

"Don't pay them fools no mind. Don't worry about it." Atwater said, giving me what he thought was reassurance.

"Please, I ain't never worried. They can try it if they want to, and I promise I'll catch a jailhouse case." I scoff.

"I know that's right. They got you fucked up, don't they?" Atwater says.

"You already know. I won't hesitate for a second to delete one of these fools if they try me." I reply with a smirk.

When I got to the shower area, Atwater waited outside while I handled my business. After I took my shower, got freshened up, I went back to my cell. This particular morning, I wasn't in the mood to journal. Typically, I write in the morning after I do my exercises and again at night. But today I just wasn't feeling it, even though my lawyers told me to journal as much as possible and to do it every day if possible. However, today I just wasn't up for it.

When I got back to my cell, I saw that I had mail, it was from my college friend Jon....

Joe,

Bro...I heard what happened, and just let me say that I am so sorry you're in this mess. Please let me tell you, I had absolutely no idea that Theresa was on that kind of time. I don't know, maybe she had changed, but when we were in college, I never knew her to be like that. If you need anything, please give me and Renee a call at 555-3819.

Jonathan

After I read the letter, I just closed my eyes, laid back on my bunk and took a deep breath. I know Jon didn't mean any harm and I love him like a brother, but I really wish that all those years ago, he would've just minded his own business. Because I sometimes think that maybe if he had, Theresa would still be alive and I wouldn't be locked in this 6x9 cell.

A short time later, I heard a tapping on my cell bars again, and it was Officer Atwater.

"Anoa'i, on your door, it's time for your lawyer visit." He says.

"Aight." I say as I stand up, grab my papers, and put my wrists through the bars to be handcuffed.

After he handcuffed me, I stepped back and he opened my door allowing me to step out.

"Ready?" He asks.

"Yup." I say.

"I got one time seventy six to the visiting cage." Atwater says on his walkie talkie as we walk down the long corridor to my destination.

When we arrive to the visiting room, I see my lawyers, Heyman and Olinsky waiting for me. They stand up and shake my hand....

"Hello Mr. Anoa'i." Heyman greeted me.

"Anoa'i, how are you?" Olinsky greeted.

"I'm trying to survive." I say.

"Well, hang in there. How's it coming with the journaling?" Heyman asked.

"Well, this is what I have so far." I say as I hand him the 20 pages that I had written down so far.

Attorney Heyman looked over my paperwork and showed it to his partner who also reviewed the paperwork before speaking......

"Ok, this is a great foundation to start. It talks about your early life, education and family. But we need more." Heyman said.

"More like what?" I ask.

"Well, we need more about the time when you and Theresa started dating up until the time of murder." Heyman asked.

"Ok.... I think I can do that. So you want the time after we reconnected after college until the present?" I ask for clarification.

"Exactly." He says.

"Ok well how about this? Why don't I start from the time we stop seeing each other in college until present?" I ask.

"Ok well if it gives a more clear timeline, then I guess that's OK. What do you think Alvin?" Heyman asked his partner.

"Sure, that's fine." Olinsky agreed.

"Ok, I can do that. I'll start on that tonight." I say.

"That's fine. Take your time, we'll be back in a couple of weeks, so there is no rush. Besides that, we have to meet with the judge to determine trial venue anyway." Heyman said.

At that moment, Atwater entered the visiting room.

"Anoa'i, your time is up." He said.

As I stood up to leave, Heyman gave me a last piece of advice......

"Stay encouraged and try to stay out of trouble." He said.

"It's not easy, but I will." I sigh.

As I make my way back to my cell, Atwater starts a conversation with me.....

"So how did your visit go?" He asks.

"It went ok." I reply.

"You think you can get out?" He asks.

"It's still early, they don't know." I say.

"Oh ok. Well do you need anything?" He asks.

"I could use some more paper and pens." I say.

"Ok, gotchu." He says as he opens my cell door.

I then put my hands through the bars and he takes my handcuffs off.

After he walks away, I lay on my bunk, and formulate in my mind what I will write about next....

TBC
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