Justify My Thug
I spent yesterday in jail.
It was part of that Chamber of Commerce thing I’m doing. It’s a lot like feildtrips back in elementary school. We go places you don’t usually go and learn way more than anyone was ever intended to about it.
I gotta tell you, its whack sitting there, two feet away from a guy who’s locked up for the rest of his life. At one point we were in the “shoe” or Special Housing Unit where the guys are put who don’t work well in the general population and I’m talking to this guy who lives in a little cement walk-in closet with a toilet and a little steel sink. He owns a toothbrush you fit on your finger b/c a real one could be a weapon. He also owns a bar of soap the size of an Andys Candy Mint.
And there I am. I’m going home in a bit- home to my wonderful wife and new computer and loud music and good food and drinks. I can wear what I want, go where I want, do what I please or not do it or do it later. I can plan five years ahead, go away for the weekend, write on this blog, or waste time on whatever I want.
Now I don’t feel the least bit sorry for this guy- he’s made his bed- now he lies in it. And for one hour every three days he can leave his bedroom to stand in the sunlit yard, or shave, or play cards. But it was very surreal to think that he’s locked up. And I walk free. Wow. No matter how much I take it for granted, or how much he hungers for it- I have it. Freedom. Dang, it sucks to be him. Or all the people he jacked up or robbed.
Suddenly it’s even better to be me.
What turns would my life have had to take to end up like him? Not many, for I have my share of former friends who went to jail, snitched on each other, got addicted to crack, busted by the police with their faces in the carpet and guns on their heads, or pistol whipped into next week by their dealers. But luckily I am now where I am.
I think that tomorrow will be a nice, grateful-to-be-alive day. Even if I have bad allergies, or I don’t get my cell phone battery replaced. Yeah.
