We reached the police station, and I was greeted by many faces, both young and old, in awe of how and what a young woman had done, and I was put behind bars without consideration.
It was the first time in my life getting cuffed. And If someone told me that one day I would spend a whole night in a police cell, I would say it will never happen, but look at me, see where it all brought me to.
And so, I slept in the cell. Getting busted on my very first day of robbery. I was a mess. I didn't even reap the fruits of my labour; I didn't have the purse on me, and it was all in vain.
****
I couldn't sleep, not when it felt like my soul was already burning in hell, not when it felt like I had really lost my way in life.
The next morning, something that I would never have thought would be possible happened. As the station opened fully for the day, in the morning, and night workers going home, my cell was opened, and one thin looking and tall corporal entered the cell with new clothes, a shirt and a trouser, and a new set of undies which he threw to me.
"Dress up, someone's waiting for you" he said and left.
I didn't even get the chance to ask him who it was. Was it my Mother? How would she know? Who was it? My mind was scaling through possibilities of having someone I know bailing me out… or was I going to face judgement or something worse?
It immediately hit me on the face, and my face went blank. I remembered the officer saying I would have to explain myself for assaulting an officer, and I never was given a chance for the explanation or was even given a face. I was just thrown inside the cell. Maybe, it was time to explain myself.
Fear got a strong grip on my heart and I wondered what my fate would be that day. I checked the clothes, they were brand new. And again, why would they bring a convict nice clothes in the cell?
Although my own clothes were nothing but rag, My shirt still hung on my shoulder, cold had toiled on my body. And there was no way I could put on the shirt, It would stink me to death. Maybe that was why they brought in those clothes.
I rolled the clothes apart and the panties fell off.
"Oh oh" I exhaled, and quickly stripped off and changed.
Oh dang, I looked good in my new clothes. It was fitting enough, as if the person who bought it knew me before.
I got out of the cell and saw a mini waste bin nearby, and dumped my old clothes inside it.
"Well my friend, it's been a long ride with you, goodbye. Let's see what awaits me from today" I said, looking at the clothes, I chinned up, and walked out to the front, ready for whatever my faith be-ith.
They told me to wait, and I sat down while glancing around the station. After a while, the same corporal came over to me.
"Please sign here" he said, pointing at a signature stamp.
"Um, what's this for?" I stammered.
"Sign and get out" he commanded.
"Wh-at what , what do you mean get out?" I asked, dumbly
"You're slow as well…" he shook his head "your charges has been lifted up, and you have been bailed, so sign, and get out Ma"
I signed the paper, feeling threatened, and afraid more than I had been.
I was led out of the office, and the door was shut behind me. I had watched movies where cops and soldiers would ask someone or a prisoner to go, and when they turned their backs on them, they shot them. I had every reason to be afraid.
And with each step I took out of the station, I was on alert, watching every movement,and catching every sound. I panicked till I got out of the whole station, and slammed the door behind me, and leaned on it, trying to catch my breath. However, the entrance and exit door always stayed open, and I shut it. I was glad to be out of danger, to see the heavens again, to feel the air again, and to set my eyes on the beauty of Los Angeles.
I walked down the couple of stairs in front of the station, I looked to my left, where I would be going away from, and to my greatest surprise, the lady I had taken her purse turned around from her car, smiling at me.
I was benumbed, and ashamed, and even more puzzled. Why was she smiling at me? Did she just get me a punishment that I deserved?
She waved at me and motioned me to come. I walked up to her cautiously and a bag she brought out from her back seat was stretched out to me.
"Here. Share with Brody." She said with a light smile. I was curious as to what she was doing really, what was her plan?
I wasn't going to take the bag from her
"Come on take it…" I glanced through her face, it was pure. "If you don't want it, Brody definitely will"
I peeped into the bag, it was filled with food, canned, beverages, snacks and clothes. I was in awe.
"And you bailed me too?"
"Yes. And you're welcomed."
"But why?" I still couldn't believe it. How can someone be so generous?
"I can tell you have been through a lot. There's still good within, life has no ending, and when it seems it does, that's when it actually starts. And remember, every dog has its day… and this life doesn't suite you, honey, It's a pity, but I pray you find your way. " she opened her car door and looked at me.
"Take care"
"Thank you" I said, under my breath. I was still taken aback. It made me rethink, it made me feel hopeful and alive again, and I was ready to start living.
And I stood there, and watched her as she drove off.
****
I retraced my way back to S. San Pedro street, and down to the Alleyway, walking like I was just an empty body, no life, no soul.
I reached the Alleyway where Brody and I were staying, and he was surprised to see me, no, not happily surprised, but surprised that I had just gotten out of the cell, just like that.
I stumped clumsily on the floor, dropping the bag between us, with my hands on my head, thinking about what had happened.
"So you're back?" He asked, checking the bag with his eyes.
"What do you care?" I sighed.
"Don't pull that stunt again, you're not even a man…" he said, scratching his neck "you will knock me out of business" he stared right into my eyes, meaning it.
"I made a mistake…" I said, running my hands through my hair, I felt heavy, maybe a heavy guilt, something that needed to be dropped.
"Yeah you did."
"And I'm sorry" I opened the bag, and started looking through it. There was enough food, and if managed, could last up to a week for us.
I brought out some canned food, and gave Brody his, and took mine. He opened it immediately and started devouring it. I looked at him and shook my head, digging into mine. He didn't even bother to know how I got it all, he didn't even think that it might be poisoned.
"Don't worry mate, unfortunate situations are what makes a man, a man…" he stopped and looked at me, and with a shrug. "Well, in your case, a woman…" he licked his fingers, as he ate the sardine and a sandwich.
Maybe he was right, I was getting a glimpse of what life was really all about. And how strong I was becoming, after each unpleasant encounter, I lost the feeling of being just a weak, shitty, and useless young girl.
****
One week later, after the incident, I was still with Brody, and had become content with whatever the day threw at me. The food had finished and we were managing whatever we got.
Suddenly, It was as if I had no problems, and didn't have to worry. I started living, enjoying the peace, and everyday joy. We laughed, got ourselves drunk, wasted and were happy. And our clothes, well we didn't care about taking our baths, but had it once in a while when we could, down a lake.
Living with Brody changed me, it changed many things about me, and I also felt like I was close to being a man, and could do anything and whatever a woman might never do.
"I love the weather today" Brody remarked, as he cheerfully stood under the soft sun's reach, leaning against the wall.
"I guess you should" I added.
A few moments later, a black SUV van pulled up in front of us, and two black men in dark suits, finely polished black shoes, and clean haircut came out from the van, heading towards us.
We were going to run, because they looked like kidnappers and exotic robbers, but they were gentle, with their gestures and steps.
They approached us and removed their glasses, revealing pairs of sunlit eyes.
"Hello, Arianne, Hello Brody" one of them said, in a deep baritone voice.
"Huh? How the fuck did you know our name? Are you spys!?" I asked, transfixed.
"No" he chuckled. "We have a business deal for you"
I and Brody looked at each other, puzzled. And at the same time, and tone … "business deal?!"