"You're a quick learner."

Scott looked over at her and smiled, "it helps when you have such a pretty teacher. You tend to pay attention more."

Kirstie knew he was describing Mitch. She could tell from the way he looked at Mitch or how gentle he was around him. "You like him?"

"Ma'am-"

"You can call me Kirsite. No need for formalities."

"Ok, Kirstie, he's gorgeous and yes if I was free, I would definitely ask him out."

Kirstie smiled big and glanced at Mitch, who was looking and frowning. She sighed. He was mad. She knew he was mad but she was on a mission. "But?"

"But, I'm in prison and in case you hadn't noticed, it's kind of frowned upon."

"But he likes you."

Scott smiled and placed the top back on one of the boxes he was working, "he barely knows me."

"Mitch has this way of seeing the good in people."

Mitch was jealous. But...he didn't exactly know why. From his point of view, Kirstie had just been trying to get to know Scott. However, watching them laugh and get along well, pissed him off. So much so that he avoided both for the rest of the day. Kirstie noticed the frown on his face and excused herself. She walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Hey."

A forced silence filled the area. She looked down and sighed, "look, it wasn't what it looked like. I was talking-"

"You were flirting."

"Mitchell Grassi! I was not! We were just talking."

Mitch stared at her for a minute before shaking his head. "About what?"

"You."

Mitch turned around so quickly it almost gave Kirstie whiplash. "Why?! What about me?"

"He likes you. He thinks you're gorgeous."

"Kirstie, please! It can't- as much as I wish I could. I don't want to mess his situation up. He gets out in less than a year. He has to get things in order for his son. I can't....I won't mess that up."

"Then you take this year and get to know him. Let him get to know you. Then once his sentence is up and he gets released, you help him. He'll need you."

"But my dad-"

"Agrees."

Mitch turned to his father standing there. He was smiling so he wasn't angry. "Mitch, you believe there could be something there, I stand behind you. While your choice in men maybe doesn't fit in what your mother and I won't, the fact still remains that you know what you want. Give him time. Let him know he has you in his corner. Love him once he's out."

:::::::

The problem with being friends with the inmates turned field hands was they were off on the weekends. Mitch normally used that time to practice with his theater group. That was no different. He knew the play they were working on called for children actors. He walked in the building, hoping to find some young kids to mentor. The director walked up to him, pulling a small boy behind him.

"MITCH! Thank God you're here. I need you to work with the cute little boy behind me. He's extremely shy and quiet. Will you work with him, please?"

"Lincoln, you know I'll help. Come on, honey."

The small boy walked over slowly. Soft blonde hair framed his face. Piercing blue eyes sparkled behind thick framed glasses. Mitch was couldn't put his finger on it but there was something so familiar about him. "I'm Mitch. What's your name, honey?"

"Kace Hoying."