Woman in Red by Eileen Goudge

Author:Eileen Goudge
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vanguard Press
Published: 2011-05-09T04:00:00+00:00

Alice was cleaning up after the last guest had gone when the front door swung open and a familiar voice called out, “Damn, girl, don’t tell me the party’s over? And here I done got all dressed up for nothing.”

Alice looked up to find Calpernia King filling the doorway like a total eclipse of the sun. Suitcase in hand, decked out in tight white jeans and a white rabbit chubby over a hot pink jersey top with the word Diva spelled out in shiny metal rivets across the mighty prow of her chest. When they used to talk about the first thing they’d do when they got out, Calpernia’s plan had been to head straight for the nearest beauty salon, which was just what she’d done, judging by her three-inch nails painted in a mosaic of iridescent colors and the multitude of braided hair extensions coiled atop her head like some elaborate tribal headdress. Now she spread her arms wide to take in the flying missile of Alice hurtling toward her.

Alice hugged her long and hard before pulling back with a grin. “God, it’s great to see you. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” She’d sent an invitation but hadn’t heard back.

“Thought I’d surprise you. I’d a got here sooner but the damn car broke down. And ain’t like you got ferries running every hour.” Calpernia broke into a wide smile that showed the gap between her front teeth and instantly transformed her from bad-ass street to soul sister.

“You should have at least phoned,” Alice chided. “I would’ve picked you up at the ferry landing.

“And spoil the surprise? Girl, you know me better than that.”

Alice did indeed. At Pine River, Calpernia King had more or less ruled the roost, defining her own order as she saw fit. In the yard and gen pop she’d always had a little knot of other inmates around her, like a large tree providing shade, or, in her case, protection from rival inmates. Calpernia had a natural air of superiority about her that said don’t mess with me if you know what’s good for you and, for the most part, no one had, including the COs. To the best of Alice’s knowledge there had never been a clash between Calpernia and another inmate that resulted in bodily harm.

“Well, you’re here now, so as far as I’m concerned the party’s just begun,” Alice said, finding a couple of clean glasses and popping the tab on a can of leftover Mountain Dew she’d pulled from the cooler. It might not be champagne, but it was cold and bubbly and would do the trick. She lifted her glass in a toast. “Here’s to our release. May we live long and prosper.”

“I don’t know ’bout that,” said Calpernia, tipping back her glass, “but I sure do plan on getting me some peace and quiet. I ain’t hardly slept a wink since I got out. Shaniqua’s place, I might as well been back inside, with the baby and all that ruckus next door.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.