A Million Little Pieces - James Frey [184]
What are you thinking about?
Answers.
You have any?
No.
You will. Answers always come.
I’m starting to learn that.
She lights another cigarette. I light another cigarette.
I want to talk to you about your Inventory and the rest of your time here.
Okay.
Ken told me you think you’ll be finished with the Inventory by the end of the day.
Yeah.
That’s pretty quick.
I know what I need to say.
The idea of this is to clear your conscience so that you can start your life over without guilt, regret and shame. You think you’ll be able to achieve that with what you want to talk about?
I do.
Ken said you might have issues doing this with a Priest.
It might be uncomfortable for him.
The Priests who do this hear some pretty awful things. Whoever you have, I’m sure he’ll be able to handle it.
If you say so.
Is it something you want to talk about with me?
No.
Does this have anything do with the way you feel about God?
Whatever’s happened between me and any Priest has nothing to do with my feelings about God.
Are you sure?
Yeah.
Fair enough. When do you want to do it?
As soon as possible.
First thing in the morning?
Yeah.
I’ll schedule a Room and a Priest. I’ll make sure the Priest will be able to deal with whatever you have to say. Come by my Office after breakfast and I’ll walk you over.
Thank you.
After you’re through, your Program is basically finished.
What’s that mean?
It means it will be time for you to leave.
When?
The day after tomorrow.
I smile.
Excellent.
Do you have any plans?
Maybe see my Brother for a couple of days. Then I’ll go down to Ohio and do my time.
I hear you’re happy with the outcome of that situation.
Yeah, I am. Very happy.
Any worries?
No, I just want to be done with it.
What are you going to do about Lilly?
Hopefully she’ll be here. Since I won’t, I’m assuming I’ll be able to speak with her and we’ll figure something out. If she doesn’t stay here, we’ll figure something else out.
Like what?
I don’t know. I’m hoping she stays here.
She nods, waits for more. When I don’t give more, she speaks.
Come find me if you have any questions while you’re doing your Inventory.
I will.
I stand and I leave. On my way out I look at her clock, it almost eleven. I make my way back to the Unit and I knock on Leonard’s door. He says who is it and I say James. He says come in and I open the door and I step inside.
There is small, black leather suitcase sitting on the floor next to the door, an open garment bag is spread across his bed. He is carefully filling the garment bag with precisely folded shirts. He speaks.
How ya doing, Kid?
I sit on the edge of the bed.
Good. How are you?
I’m happy to be leaving.
What are you gonna do with yourself?
Got one of my boys picking me up and we’re gonna drive back to Vegas. Probably stop and see Mount Rushmore and Old Faithful and a few of the sites along the way.
I chuckle.
Sounds cool.
You got any plans yet?
Looks like I’m getting out day after tomorrow. I’m going to try to get hold of my Brother and spend a few days with him. After that, I go down to Ohio.
You worried about Ohio?
No.
I probably don’t need to tell you this, but if anybody fucks with you, go after them. Just showing them you’re willing to fight will keep them away.
I’m hoping to avoid that shit, but I’ll do whatever I have to do.
He smiles.
You’re a good Kid.
I laugh.
Thanks, Leonard.
He finishes packing the garment bag and he closes it. He reaches into his back pocket and he pulls out his wallet and he removes a small card like a business card. He sits on the bed across from me and he hands me the card.
Those are all my numbers and the places where you can get hold of me.
I take it.
If you ever need anything, doesn’t matter where you are or what you