I Don't Have an Answer...

“Mr. Mehari, I’m in Jail…”

There are some things that you struggle to comprehend when hearing it for the first time. Especially late on a Friday night after being done with work.

 

“Excuse me, what did you say?”  

This was one of those prime instances.

There is no clear solution to this one unlike the ones that I usually write about.

No live and learn moments came through on this one.

 

Usually in a situation that I have, I work through it.

Keyword: “I”

Meaning: if I’m in the situation I can control, it’s something that me, myself and I can handle.

That’s why I’m in my line of work…

"I said I'm in jail"....the subdued voice sounded quizzical, as if the person didn't believe their own words either.

“What’s the charge?” The voice on the other end paused. I listened dumbstruck as they said it…"Seriously??"

Anger came. “What. Were. You. Thinking? Did you not think???”

Then helplessness...“ I’m sorry I didn’t mean to yell, I over reacted and I apologize for that …"

Then worry…“How much time are they saying?”

“6 years”…the voice on the other end barely choked it out….they already had done the math.

This was someone who needed his mother, not the inside of 4 walls for 6 years.

Release date: 2018 at 21 years old…

High School:GONE

Sports: GONE

Friends:GONE

Survival mode: ON

“There’s more Mr. Mehari…” I froze…”It wasn’t just me”….Dear Lord….

“What do you mean...”

“…..Mr. Mehari, ____ was with me….WE’RE IN HERE TOGETHER…”

I began to pace, again, shellshocked.

“Same charge?”

“Yea,” came the whisper.

“Same time?”

“Yea”

I tried to picture what I was doing when I was 15 and 16.  Probably running around on a gym floor somewhere.  Still a kid. The voice broke down on the end of the line “I’m so sorry….” They began sobbing…”I didn’t know who else to call…”

Tears came to mine…

And for one of the first times in my life, I didn’t know what to say….