Forever Brothers

There are two kinds of people in this world:  Leaders and followers.  Many people navigate through life unseen.  Then you have the movers and the shakers - Special people who make a mark - People who light up a room as they enter.  …Possessing energy so strong they literally pull you in.

A year ago, I was transferred from one prison to the prison where I am currently housed.  Transfers suck.  On the bus ride, you see just enough of the free world that it hurts.  You miss your old life and being free.

You reach your destination and are assigned a bunk in a new dorm.  All eyes are on you, sizing you up as you settle into your new home.  You feel alone.

Then, after they have sized you up, someone will walk up and introduce himself.  Not long after I moved into Delta dorm, bunk 113-low, I met a man.  I had no idea who that man would become to me.  I couldn’t see all the hours we would spend together, laughing, crying, drinking coffee and talking about women.

I have tried to push this off as long as possible, but it is now time.  That man, over the course of this past year, became my best friend.  You know him as Scottie. 

I can see his bunk from where I sleep.  Scott goes to bed earlier than me, unless he has a good book to read.  He gets up earlier than me and has coffee.  After his coffee, he comes to my bunk and fucks with me.

He wakes me up by plugging my nose so I can’t breathe.  Other times he tickles my cheek with a q-tip until I think bugs are crawling on me.  He has ‘spooked’ me, put his ass in my face, put his balls by my face, and even shaved his pubes into my shampoo bottle.  This man knows I hate mornings and so he comes to mess with me nearly every day.  He has pissed me off so bad that he’s lucky I never beat his ass.  And bro, you know I would hand your ass to you….

Truth is I love you, man.  You have touched my life more than you will ever know.  You, my friend, are a shaker.  There is an energy coming off you that is incredible.

I lay in bed and watched you toss and turn last night.  We talk.  I know you’re going through it.  You have begun the transition.  This life is slowly fading and you are preparing for life out there.  I just leave you alone.  This part of the journey, you have to do by yourself.  This way freedom will mean even more to you.  When it comes, you will be ready.  The part that truly hurts me isn’t that you’re leaving here… No, the hurt comes from watching you try to save me.  You want to take me with you, but it’s not my time yet. 

Scott, you have a good heart.  You know how badly I want to reach out to our people – the lost, the down and out.  I’m gonna keep an eye on you.  Trust me when I say I will always be close by.  We are brothers always, not just behind this fence.  The J.J. project has given me a voice – a way to reach out.  You see what I do.  I’m asking you to continue to help me, Scott.  If I’m here reaching out, and you’re there doing the same… you see what I’m saying?  Forever brothers.

Reading this now, you find yourself a free man.  Breathe it all in, Scott.  Take nothing for granted.  But never forget Delta down and a small metal bunk.  A bunk that is empty today, the bunk you laid your head on.  The bunk where we laughed, played cards, drank coffee and hung out.  The bunk where you told jokes, captured an audience, and brought joy to a bunch of prisoners.

I have no doubts that you will continue to touch lives wherever life takes you.  Just don’t forget.  Don’t forget the path we walked.  The journey that made you the man you are today, tried by fire.

You did it brother.  Here’s to you, my dear friend.  You know how to reach me.  Always close by.

For both you and for myself, I ask you to remain a part of Jailbird.

If I may speak on behalf of all my friends, Hooligans around the world, continue to be part of our lives.  You are a part of this project… forever brothers.

I will now leave you with some sayings from this life, ones you remember all too well:

“Stand by for chow.”

“Rec. yard is open.”

“Mail-Call!”

“One time!”

“Shakedown!!!”

“It is what it is.”

“Nuts to butts.”

“Strip down.”    

“Spread them and cough.”