The Inmate

by Freida McFadden

Hey, it’s Tim Reese. I got your number from the parent directory. Hope that’s not too creepy.

Um yes it is the fuck is wrong with you

So I was just thinking, coffee in the evening is just going to keep us up. How about getting a drink one night this week?

I fucking hate this guy

“Don’t think that way,” she says. “That boy could use a father.” I bristle at her comment—she touched a nerve.

Damn bitch

Tracy Gifford is the girl who was found dead over the summer. Obviously, none of us have been on a date with her. But then Tim raises his cup. And he takes a drink.

I dont care if he didnt do it i still hate him fuck tim

I had wanted to take separate cars, but Tim pointed out that we are leaving from pretty much the same block, so “for the sake of the environment, we should carpool.” I couldn’t argue with that logic. And I didn’t argue when he offered to drive.

This girl is so fucking stupid

“I have to tell you, Brooke,” she says, “the real estate market is insane right now. You can’t even imagine what price I could get you for this house. Enough for you to buy your dream apartment back in the city. You could even live in Manhattan if you wanted.” A vein pulses in my temple. “I appreciate that, but I’m not interested.” “You know, the real estate bubble won’t last forever. You should be smart about this.” “I’m fine,” I say tightly. “Really.” “What do you want with that dusty old house anyway?”

Punch this bitch in the face

“I know. But it’s me, Brooke. I just wanted to know you were okay. You could have gotten in touch.”

Hate him

“You know,” Kelli says, “Tim brings plenty of girls to the Shamrock. Don’t think you’re so special.” He does? I don’t know why that revelation makes me sad.

Girl stand up

“That was total bullshit.” Kelli practically spits out the words. “I knew Shane. He was a good guy. He would never have done those things.”

this is the patriarchy

This is nothing new—plenty of people in Raker, especially people who knew Shane well, were furious at me for testifying against him. Shane was a football star, and everyone loved him. I had been his girlfriend, and people felt I was betraying him.

I hate men fr

Did you score with her?” “No!” Tim’s face is turning red. “I told you, it was just two dates.” “Exactly,” Brandon says.

Hate men

“You should go to the police,” Kayla says. “Tell them what you know.”

Bro Wat would he know besides her favorite color and middle name

It makes sense, but at the same time, it leaves me feeling a little uneasy. If he’s completely innocent, why wouldn’t he want to tell the police what he knows? Why would he hide it?

Girl decides to use her brain

“Listen to me, Brooke.” He lowers his voice a notch. “Shane is…” Before Tim can get out what he wants to say, the door to the kitchen swings open. Shane is standing there, looking even more crazy sexy than he usually does,

Sounds like every girl i hate

“I’m really sorry,” he says again. “That was incredibly rude, and… I should have controlled myself.” No, he should have controlled himself eleven years ago.

Snaps for her

I hold my breath—this woman is not known for advocating for the prisoners. “Marcus,” she says sharply. “Why on earth is Nelson shackled for medical appointments? He’s not a risk.” “I believe he is,” Hunt says. “Based on what?” she retorts.

Pussy power

That night, Shane got a knock on the head the same as he did today—the EMTs on the scene found the lump on his skull to prove it. He claims he was knocked unconscious before anything even happened to me.

I cant with this girl

The guy I fell in love with all those years ago.

She has said this like 9 times in different ways about both guys

He’s right—I was worried about him. And I don’t entirely understand why. For a long time, I felt only one emotion for this man. Hatred. I hated him for what he tried to do to me. I hated him for what he did to my friends. I hated him for knocking me up and leaving me to deal with the consequences all by myself. I hated him for not even having the guts to admit what he did and for making me get on the stand during a grueling trial to relive every moment. But looking at him now, lying in this hospital bed, a bruise blooming on his forehead from the fall he took, his brown eyes staring up at me…

I hate this

“I don’t want to miss taco night. I lope tacos.” My breath catches in my throat. I lope tacos.

I cannot stand this

Yes, Shane Nelson did unspeakable things. But before he did those things, I had loped him. No, I had loved him.

Plz im beggjng stop

For a split second, our eyes lock together. And it occurs to me that we’re the only two people in this room. There’s a guard, and if there were a problem, he would be here in an instant, but he wouldn’t hear something quiet. Like if Shane leaned in and kissed me. I jerk my head back, shocked by the thoughts going through my head. What’s wrong with me?

Good question

Today was the first time since that night that I thought of him as the boy I used to love.

Did she really love him

“Another night then?” The concern on his face has vanished, and now he has a hopeful expression. So this is his game.

Men are so annoying

I believed their love for us had to be larger than their shame at having a daughter who got knocked up in high school. I was wrong.

I’ve always thought of my father as being handsome compared with my friends’ fathers—women

What the fuck?

Despite everything, I believe my parents loved me. I can see it in their eyes in this photograph. But their stupid pride got in the way of our relationship. They chose to sever our ties completely rather than be humiliated by having me parade around in front of their friends with my fatherless son.

Shane is right. It was just one time and the chances are small that I got knocked up.

Boys are never right

I look over at Tim, who has a strained smile on his lips. “That’s right. I, uh… I live just down the block, and my mom sent over these cookies from Florida, and I thought…”

Like what boy gtfo

This is a conversation we need to have, as much as I’ve been dreading it.

Literally why like no you really don't

I used to know his face so well, even better than my own.

?????

Sometimes people do exactly what you think they’re going to do, and they still manage to disappoint you.

Real

I spend the first five minutes watching Tim and Josh anxiously, but then I realize how boring it is to watch two people fix a sink, so I go to the living room to read.

Fuck do i hate her because shes me

“I’m not going to calm down!” She takes a step back, almost stumbling over her own heels. “I don’t trust any of you. So until the power comes back on, leave me the hell alone.”

Im with her!!! Team Kayla

“You can call me Marcus.” I don’t respond to that. “What do you need?”

Ok yes girl

He holds out his arms, because every time he comes over, we hug at the door. That’s what friends do, right? We hug. It’s not like we greet each other by making out.

I hate her

Star quarterback and all that. If Josh ever asks to join the football team, I’m going to try my best to talk him out of it.

Wtf

He gives me a look. “Come on. You know I’ve been in love with you since I was four years old.”

She is so dumb

He kisses me back just as eagerly. And all the while, I ignore the tiniest hint of sandalwood clinging to the collar of his shirt.

Barf

“Best friend?” He shakes his head. “I don’t think either of those assholes has the capacity for that kind of loyalty. They’re friends, but they hate each other.”

All boy friends

It’s become a routine for us. Before Hunt brings me my first patient, he comes by the examining room with a hot cup of coffee for me.

I hate her

My mother would say that boys don’t do anything nice for you if they’re not expecting something in return.

Yes

“I’m so sorry, Brooke,” he says. “I’m such an idiot. I completely forgot.”

????