The Crazy One Read online

The guard watched on. The inmates continued to mock her.

  "Crazy Laura," they chanted. "Crazy Laura."

  The swelling rage escaped her mouth. "My name’s not Laura," she screamed, rushing at a cluster of them. "I’m not crazy." She swung her fists, hitting air, hitting flesh. "Fuck all of you!"

  Finally, the guard took action. She slapped her palm on the concrete wall and shouted, "Enough."

  The inmates stepped back in line, smiles still glued to their faces. The guard retrieved her cuffs from her belt, pushed Lucy face-first to the wall, and clamped the metal around her wrists.

  "Let’s go." She led Lucy down the hall, away from the murmurs of the others.

  Panic washed over her. What if she was going to solitary? She’d never been, but she’d heard stories. She pulled frantically at the handcuffs and turned to the guard.

  "Please. I’m sorry."

  The guard nudged her shoulder to turn around and walk again.

  "Relax." Her tone was sympathetic. "I’m just taking you back to the pod."

  Lucy sighed when she saw the familiar door held open by another officer. She was ushered through and to cell 409. When they were inside the guard removed the cuffs and returned them to her belt.

  "Try to stay out of trouble, Bonneville," the guard said. She shook her head, stepped backward, and closed the heavy door between them. There was a click and a loud buzz. Lucy was locked in. The others were locked out. Away from her.

  She turned to the empty room. Her spirits immediately lifted. Sitting on her bunk at the other end of the cell was Joel. He stood and put his arms out to greet her.

  "I’ve missed you," she whispered when she was in his embrace. "Where have you been?"

  "You know where." He stroked her hair, then kissed her forehead. "I’ve been making arrangements. I want everything to be perfect when you come home. Perfect for all of us."

  His hand rested on her belly. She covered his and beamed. Inside she thought she felt movement for the first time. Alone in her shared cell, she stood smiling and dreaming of their future.

  ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

  Thank you to my family for their love and support.

  Thank you to my husband for helping me find time to write.

  Thank you to all the people who helped bring The Crazy One to print: Felicia Grossman, Allison Bitz, Aaron Wheeler, Kellye Garrett, Cindy Calzone, Julie Webb, Sarah Lifford, and Melanie T. and any others I may have missed.

  For updates and other works by Rebecca Markus, visit rjmarkus.com.