A Million Little Pieces - James Frey [173]
We sit at a table in the corner with Ted and Matty. Matty has a stack of newspapers in front of him and he is looking for articles on tonight’s fight. Most of the papers are picking the larger Heavyweight to win, though Matty still thinks he’s going to lose. As he reads the articles he talks about the writers, most of whom he knows from his days as a fighter, and he calls the ones he doesn’t agree with names like feckhead, grasshole or kicksucker. We know this is part of his ongoing attempt to quit swearing and it makes all of us laugh. Leonard asks him why he doesn’t just use the real words and Matty says that he’s been three days without the Devil’s talk and he ain’t gonna start with it again just because of some gosh darn fight.
After we lunch, we go to the Lecture. We play cards in the back row. Leonard wins all of the money, but he gives it back when we’re finished.
As we walk out of the Lecture, I see Ken standing outside the door with Randall, the Lawyer who has been working on my case. I look at Randall, speak.
Any news?
Can you talk in Ken’s Office?
I say yes and we walk to Ken’s Office. With each step my feet get heavier and a sense of dread begins to consume me. I watch Ken and Randall in the hope that some manner of expression in one or both will give me a clue to my fate, but there’s nothing. We walk and my feet get heavier and the dread grows. It feels as if I’m walking to my cell right now.
Ken opens the door and Ken sits down behind his desk and Randall and I sit across from him. Randall is holding a file on his lap and he opens it and he looks at me and he smiles. I am expecting the worst, so his smile annoys me. He speaks.
I almost don’t want to know, but I’ll always wonder if I don’t ask.
He waits for some sort of response. I stare at him. I’m scared and annoyed and I wish he’d get on with it. He smiles again.
Who are your friends?
What?
Who did this for you?
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
He laughs.
Just tell me.
I start to get angry.
I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.
Ken speaks.
Calm down, James.
Stay the fuck out of it, Ken.
Randall looks at me.
We got an offer this morning for three to six months in County Jail and three years Probation. All of the felonies have been changed to misdemeanors, and if you get through Probation cleanly, they’ll be wiped from your Record.
I smile.
No fucking way.
He nods.
Yes. Yes fucking way.
I laugh.
What happened?
The Prosecutor said they had encountered some problems, that there were some issues with missing evidence, and that he had received a couple of phone calls on your behalf. When I pressed him for details, he wouldn’t give them to me.
I laugh again. I am overjoyed.
When do I go?
You want to accept?
Fuck yeah.
Given the sudden change, you might have a chance at Trial.
I just want this to be over.
I understand. I’ll get the paperwork started.
When will I have to go?
I believe you’ll have turn yourself in within the next ten days.
I smile.
Fuck yeah.
Ken speaks.
I can’t believe you’re this excited about going to Jail.
I’m excited because three to six months in County is a fucking cakewalk.
It’s still Jail. You’ll still be locked up.
But it’s not Prison. In County, I’ll be with a bunch of drunk drivers and wife beaters and pot Dealers. I won’t have any problems with them.
It’s still Jail.
It’ll be a cakewalk.
Randall speaks.
Do you have any idea how this happened?
I smile.
I have an idea.
You mind sharing it with me?
I don’t think the people I’m thinking of would appreciate it if I did.
I understand.
He closes his file, stands.
I’ll bring the paperwork by when I get it.
I stand.
Thank you very much for all your help.
I think there are some other people you may need to thank more than me.
I will, but I’m thanking you as well.
Certainly.
We