The bulk of Jimmie's time to spend in the can was due mostly to the aggravated assault charge when he shot that asshole in the neck. Sitting in the call room and dialing for his mother, he thought maybe that was a bit unnecessary, but he couldn't help it. One of them had to wear one of his bullets for putting their dirty, greasy paws on his musty.
When his mother answered and heard that it was Jimmie calling from jail, she hung up, and that was that. Jimmie immediately dialed for his Aunt Teresa, someone who was always one to call when in some kind of crisis for any kind of support, though she shined in the emotional support category. That's what he wanted the most from her. She always put a smile on his face no matter what and the sound of her voice just made everything seem like it was alright.
And that's exactly how Jimmie felt, a warm feeling of "it's alright" in his stomach when she answered and he heard her beautifully comical southern drawl.
"Hello?"
"Aunt 'Resa? It's Jimmie."
"Hey there, nephew! Why you callin' collect?"
"I'm in jail," Jimmie said with his head down, only half expecting her to be disappointed in him.
"Oh ma god! What happened?!" Aunt Resa's loud response nearly distorted the phone speakers into shorting out.
"It's a long story, auntie, and I don't got a whole lot of time." Jimmie explains. "But speaking of long stories, it looks like I'm gonna be here for a long one."
"Oh hell naw! That bullshittin', lunatar system put ma baby nephew in the can?! Do they know you're a united states air force fighter pilot!?"
"Well, that would be part of the long story. But how's Uncle Wade?"
"He's fine. He and your cousins still out on the road. You know how they like to stay rollin."
"That's good, I'm glad to hear that." Jimmie could feel the hot tears welling up behind his eyes. But he knew he wasn't going to let himself shed a single tear no matter how much they tried to force themselves out of his heart.
"Hey," Jimmie continued as he recuperated emotionally, "would you mind staying in touch with me while I'm here? I got no one else. Mom don't give a damn, and I'm about to lose everything. It'd be nice if you could send me some support every now and then, auntie."
"Of course, nephew! I'm here for you for as long as you in there. How long they spank you with?"
"Judge gave me a dime. Out in seven if I behave. I'll be transferred to San Chilo state soon."
"Oh my goodness!" Aunt Resa sounded like she was about to burst into tears. "Not my veteran baby nephew! I'll go over there right now and bust you out!"
It was lines like that that always brought a smile out of Jimmie.
"Thanks auntie, but it's no use. I just would really like to stay in touch. And uh, can you not tell Uncle Wade about this? If you can keep this between you and me?"
"I don't know if I can keep something like this a secret from your Uncle. You know, he's been wondering about you, just like he does with all his nieces and nephews— all your cousins."
"I know, but still, if he asks, tell him…I don't know make something up. Alright, I'm out of time, I gotta go."
"Alright, you hang in there, and I know your uncle will understand! Just wait. I love you nephew!"
"I love you too, auntie."
A week had passed and Jimmie was already growing accustomed to it. He just thought of it as a seven year boot camp. He was scheduled to be transferred in another week but thought that they bumped him up to leave for the state early when a guard pulled him out of his cell and escorted him to the front where an immeasurable amount of joy washed over him.