Two reasons I love my job

I wrote almost 4000 words during a 12-hour shift last night. Not bad at all. It was my eighth of ten shifts in ten nights. Very rare for me to work so much. I'm on chapter 21 of the Bleeekxpritzle fiasco. A zany story born of three random jokes told to me at the corrections centre about two weeks ago. And yet it also has a useful message. I think the story gets better as it goes. It'll wrap up in a couple chapters and then I'll move on to something else.

Speedy came to the "front desk" window of the security office for his morning meds around five this morning. He takes a lot of pills. The tenants all have different schedules; different ways of coping. He's excited about this week coming.

"Hey guys, Did you hear I got a job! At least for a couple of days and then we'll see."

"Yeah. We heard."

"I'm gonna be getting a pay cheque! I'm gonna have something for you guys."

"What do you mean?"

"You guys have taken care of me. Rich, you gave me that coat, remember? And Sam, you got me that heater when my room was cold, remember? I don't forget those things. I'm gonna take care of you guys. You'll see!"

I shook my head. "No, Speedy. You just take care of yourself, okay...?" What's that look? Have I hurt his feelings? "Hey, If you really want to go shopping then buy something for your nephews!"

Now he smiles. "Yeah, I will!"

"Yeah," says Sam. "Buy them a couple of squirt guns."

"And then teach them how to rob banks," I say, and we all have a chuckle. Speedy never robbed any banks. He's here for other reasons but we don't need to keep those kinds of details straight at the moment.

I remember six months ago. A previous milestone. I was doing the 1:00 AM head count. I quietly turned the key and opened Speedy's door. He was in bed but awake.

"Hi Rich," he whispered.

"Hey, how are you?"

"Good. I had my first day pass finally!"

"Good for you."

"Did you know I'm an uncle?"

"I didn't know that."

"My sister just had another baby. I got to go to her house for the day. She let me hold the baby."

"That's awesome!"

"Yeah. It was amazing. He's just a little guy. I got to hold him as long as I wanted." He folded his arms to show me how.

"I'm envious. I'd love to be an uncle."

"You know what else, Rich?"

"What's that?"

"I'm done with breaking the law."

I nodded. "Well... Maybe that's a good idea."

"Yeah. I really am."