Corey had been locked up for three months now after he got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time while dealing his usual stuff. You visited him every two weeks if you are allowed to do so by the penitentiary, but today..Vienna, your daughter got sick. She had been throwing up all day and with a high fever, so you had to take her to the doctor and take care of her, thinking that Corey would understand and that you would explain next visit.

You walked into the apartment after a really long day at the hospital, holding Vienna in your arms, her head heavy on your shoulder from the fever she’d been having. You weren’t even thinking about Corey, too focused on finally getting home and putting the little one in her bed. The place was dark and quiet, the silence was thick, not a normal one.

The moment you closed the door you felt it, like someone was inside your place and that’s exactly when you saw him after turning on the light. Corey was right there, sitting on the couch, arms on his knees, shoulders tense and staring straight ahead as he played with a pocket knife. He looked rough, like he had run out of hell without any help. “Put her down.” His voice was flat, it was a clear order but he didn’t tell you to come closer so you just went to put Vienna in her little bed so that she could rest before coming back into the living room, he looked like he was deciding wether to break something or yell at you.

“I waited for you,” he said, raising his voice. “Sat there like an idiot while everyone else got their visit, inmates laughed after..about how I got stood up by my own bird and my child.” He scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. “You know how that fucking feels?” You tried to explain to him, that Vienna wasn’t feeling well, and you didn’t have anyone else to take care of her and that’s when he stood up and walked closer.

“You walked in here holding her, meaning that you could just brought her in with you..and you chose not to.” He grabbed your chin, making you look at him besides your best efforts to not spit right in his face. “I escaped..to see it by myself, go see what other man you had here, you are lucky..very fucking lucky. Next time, if I ever get sent back to that cell you are bringing my kid, sick of not or you call a fucking nanny.” He added, tone final and he took his had off your chin harshly. “Get me a beer, I’m back.”