CHAPTER 1

It was the summer of 1998, in Jacksonville CorrectionalFacility.

Stormy Canada, broke out into a cold sweat, as sheheard the deep masculine voice of officer Fitzhugh yell out:

"Ten minutes before lights out, you morons!"

Stormy and her best friend Kerra Hunt, looked over atofficer Fitzhugh, with a repetitive look of disgust.

Then Stormy whispered:

"I can't wait to leave this hell hole!"

"Officer Fitzugly creeps me out, every time she comesaround. She just makes me sick in my stomach!"

"I know that's right. I can't stand to look at her!"

"I swear, if they grant my parole next month, I'm gonnamake sure that I put a hit out, on her ugly ass!"

Kerra whispered, as they began to gather up theirhandmade deck of cards.

"Officer Fitzugly" is the nickname that the inmates gaveOfficer Fitzhugh. She was given that name, mainly becauseof the ugly personality, that she portrayed.

But further more, she wasn't what one would view asattractive either. Unfortunately, she had various male featuresthat were very difficult to ignore.

She had a slight mustache that always seem to grow backthicker, every time she attempted to shave it off. A thick dark,unibrow rests over her large protruding eyes. She's also verytall, with big broad shoulders.

Most of the inmates are terrified of officer Fitzugly,except for Stormy's long time friend, Kerra Hunt.

Stormy and Kerra has been best friends, since childhood.Even though Kerra barely weighs over a hundred pounds, thathas never stopped her from being loud, bold and outspoken.

She has never been afraid to speak her mind. When itcame to officer Fitzugly, she was clearly no exception.

Stormy is also very petite, but shy. Unlike her friendKerra, she hates confrontation. She was often picked on, backhome, by the girls from the neighborhood, because of herstunning beauty, and very shy demeanor.

Nevertheless, she always knew that she would be able tocount on her protégé, Kerra to be there, just in time to rescueher, from confrontation.

Whenever Kerra would come to the scene, she camefussing, cussing and swinging her neck, from side to side.

Afterwards, the crowd would usually scatter. They knewthat she had the reputation for being crazy, and alwayscarrying a weapon.

And there was no reason to believe otherwise, becauseeveryone knew, that if a person that talked so much trash, andwas so confrontational, surely had to be packing a weapon.

The truth is, Kerra didn't carry a weapon. She just oftendepended on her foul language and tough reputation to pullher through difficult altercations.

Kerry looked over at Stormy with a smurk on her face.

"Officer Fitzugly, never gives you a hard time like shedoes with me. She's always smiling at you, and finding a wayto sneak your favorite "Little Debbie" cakes over to you."She said, while laughing so hard, that she nearly knocked allof the cards, off the table.

"And I'll be willing to bet, that she is planning on puttingin a good word to the warden, for your parole, next month."

"Well, I'm not sure about that." Stormy replied. "ButI can't deny, that there's definitely something very weirdgoing on."

"I was hiding in the laundry room yesterday, smoking onone of those cigarettes, that "Slick Tosh" had given me. Then,I looked up, and there was Officer Fitzugly, standing therewatching me! I just knew that she was getting ready to sendme to the hole, but she didn't.

She just looked me straight in the eyes, and said:

"You really need to be careful down here. Now hurry upand finish, and get back to your cell."

She winked her eyes, and said:

"And I really want you to remember this, "Storm."

Then she turned, and walked away.

"I didn't know what to think of that! Especially the waythat she said my name".

"I was so nervous that, I just put the cigarette out, rushedback upstairs, and pretended nothing had happened."

"Wow! That really is creepy." Kerra replied.

"If I were you, I would try to keep my distance from hercrazy ass!"

"Yeah, you're right. I try my best to stay out of her sight,but somehow, she's always managed to come along, and findme. And even though, she lets me get away with a bunch ofstuff around here, I can't help but to think that she has somesort of hidden agenda." Stormy said.

"Maybe she does have something up her sleeves." Kerrareplied.

"But it could be that, she's just obsessed with you."

"Uggh ... don't say that Kerra!" "Just the thought of thatwoman being obsessed with me, gives me the chills!" Stormysquenched.

"I'm sorry, but you know it's true!" "No one would actlike that, if they were not either crazy, obsessed, or both."Kerra laughed.

"You're probably right. But I don't know why she choseme, as her target." Stormy replied.

"I guess she figures that you're an easy target, becauseyou never stand up to her."

"But she just don't know!"

"You can be just as tough, as I am!"

Kerra said to Stormy, hoping very much, to boost her,with a little courage.

"That's right! And I hope that she never has to find thatout." Stormy boasted. {as she felt the need to express to herfriend, a false act of bravery)

Despite the fact that Kerra has always wished her friendcould be more like her, when it came to standing up forherself, she knew darn well, that Stormy was as scared as hellof Officer Fitzugly. And she wouldn't dream of standing upto her.

Five minutes later, Officer Fitzugly, came around thecorner yelling:

"Alright, yall got five more minutes. And if yall haven'tstarted moving, Imma start turning some tables over, aroundhere!"

Stormy and Kerra looked at each other.

"Now that's a true sign, that this heifer is really crazy!"

"We better hurry and get these cards up, and go to ourcell, before Fitzugly really starts tripping." Kerra said.

"She's gonna mess around and make me say, or dosomething that I might regret. And I don't have time for that."

"And besides, my meeting with the parole board is nextmonth, and I can't afford to get into anymore trouble aroundhere. I'm almost certain that they're going to be looking forany reason possible, not to grant my parole. That's why I'vebeen trying my best to stay clear of that woman."

Officer Fitzugly, just stood there in the entry way, withher arms folded, while waiting on them to leave.

She mainly kept her eyes on Kerra. She was hoping thatKerra would give her a reason to click.

Stormy and Kerra got up, and walked towards the entryway to the hall, where Officer Fitzugly stood.

As soon as Kerra, attempted to pass her, Officer Fitzuglymoved over closer into the entry way. She figured by doingthis, Kerra would have no other option, but to bump her.

"I really don't have time for this today, Officer Fitzugly!"Kerra said.

"What the hell, did you call me?" Officer Fitzugly asked.

"Look here officer. I'm just trying to go up to my cell. Idon't have time to play your silly games today!" Kerra said,while trying to go around her.

"You just better not call me by that name again, or we'regonna really have some problems!"

She bumped Kerra slightly, before stepping to the sideand allowing them to pass.

Kerra and Officer Fitzugly stared each other down untilthey were finally out of each other's sight.

"Do you see what I mean?" Kerra said to Stormy.

"That ole crazy woman was trying her best to make meclick on her!"

"Yeah I know. But I'm so glad that you decided to do theright thing, by just ignoring her. Maybe when she see that youare going to continue to ignore her, she will eventually leaveyou alone." Stormy replied.

"Yeah, but it's getting harder and harder every day for meto put up with her. If only I can make it a few more weeks,without knocking her ass out!" Kerra laughed.

"I think you need to just relax, and start praying about it."Stormy said.

"Better yet, why don't you come with Toya and I ontomorrow morning for prayer service in the chapel. I'm surethat you'll start to feel much better afterwards."

"Maybe that's not a bad idea. I just might do that." Kerraanswered.

"Be sure to wake me up before you leave."

CHAPTER 2

Sunday morning rolled around, as Stormy got up andgot ready to head down to the prison's chapel.

Stormy and Kerra had both promised Toya thenight before, that they would attend Sunday service with her.

It was almost nine am, but Kerra still refused to get out ofbed. Regardless of the numerous attempts, that Stormy made,trying to wake her, She simply refused to budge.

"I'm just too tired this morning. I promise I'll go withyall, the next time."

"And be sure to say a prayer for me!" Kerra yelled, whilepulling the covers back over her head.

This really didn't surprise Stormy. She knew that Kerrahad made that same promise, hundreds of times, but shenever seem to follow through. This time wasn't any different.But Stormy did promise Toya that she wouldn't give up onKerra. She was going to continue trying to convince Kerra togo with them, someday.

Toya didn't seem to have any problems convincingStormy to attend, because after Stormy decided to go withher, nearly a month ago, she seemed to have enjoyed herselfso much, that it made her want to go even more often.

Toya was a very active member of the church that sheattended back home, where her father was the pastor.

She had become accustomed to a very religious life stylethat she didn't intend to waiver, by no means.

But her life quickly made a drastic turn, after she foundherself, getting caught up in a conspiracy at her job.

Her job description consisted of handling veryconfidential government files.

But one day, a couple of her co-workers decided to plotup a scheme to trick her into falsifying some very importantdocuments. This scheme eventually led up to her havingto serve a one year prison sentence, here in JacksonvilleCorrectional Facility {JCF}.

Every since her arrival, all of the inmates have referred toher as "church girl".

She mostly stays to her self, and is hardly ever seenwithout carrying her bible in her hands.

On most occasions, she goes around trying to witness tothe inmates. {the ones that she can catch up with, and actuallypretend to listen, that is}.

Normally, when they see her coming around, theyimmediately turn to go in a different direction, to avoid beingpreached to. {as they would call it}

Unfortunately, Toya ended up having to share a cell with"Latosha Woods." {better known as "Slick Tosh"}

"Slick Tosh" is one of the most violent and unchristianlike women in JCF.

There is no surprise as to why, she was given thatnickname. She is very slick, and has a lot of street sense. Sheis also very creative.

She managed to turn her cell into a mini convenient store.There was everything that you could possible think of, hiddenin there.

Whatever she wasn't able to sneak inside of her cell, shewould somehow find a way to make it.

She kept a large supply of handmade cigarettes; shanks,and all kinds of snacks.

She even managed to make containers of face powder andlipstick.

The lipstick shades was made from packages of variousflavors of kool-aid. But as of this day, no one has ever beenable to figure out how she managed to make the face powderthat also came in different shades.

All they knew was that if they needed it, "Slick Tosh"had it. {For sale, that is.} Because she definitely intended onmaking a profit.

Although, in some instances, "Slick Tosh" was willing totrade some of her items for something that she didn't have atthat time.

Toya was always very uneasy about the fact that "SlickTosh" kept all of those items in the cell that they had to share.She never wanted to be caught up in another situation thatinvolved her being setup for something that she was totallyinnocent in.

One day Toya decided that she would confront "SlickTosh". But she quickly regretted it, when "Slick Tosh" ended upthreatening her, and demanded that she mind her own business.

From then on, she kept her silence. But she continues toget nervous, whenever any guard other than Officer Fitzugly,walks by their cell.

Fortunately, Officer Fitzugly is the one that normallyguards the floor that they're on. And she is fully aware ofwhat "Slick Tosh" has going on inside.

Everyone believes that Officer Fitzugly is secretly afraidof "Slick Tosh".

She has witnessed "Slick Tosh" stab at least five inmatesand two guards, during the four years that she has beenlocked up.

Because of the fact that "Slick Tosh" is serving alife sentence in JCF, she intends to make the best of it, bypreparing to make herself comfortable with everything thatshe needs throughout her sentence.

Thus far, she hadn't anticipated anyone or anythinggetting in her way.

CHAPTER 3

{One Month Later}

"So, how do think your meeting with the paroleboard went?"

Stormy asked.

"I don't know. I can't really tell if it went well or not."Kerra answered.

"Warden Carmichael said that he would let me knowsomething in a couple of days.

He did most of the talking, while the other board membersjust sat there looking stupid, and nodding their heads toeverything that he was saying."

"Although, I don't know how they were able tounderstand him, because I sure as hell couldn't."

"He started trying to talk over my head. He was goingback and forth using words that really didn't make any senseto me."

"I was tempted to go over to where he was sitting, andslap that long stinky pipe out of his mouth. Maybe then, he'llstart speaking in my language." Kerra laughed.

"I'm sure glad that you decided not to do that, becauseWarden Carmichael would have made sure that you spent therest of your life in this joint!" Stormy laughed.

"You're probably right about that, but I'm sure that itwould have been well worth seeing that stupid look on hisface afterwards."

"Well hopefully, when you go back in a couple of days,they will give you the same good news, that they gave me."Stormy replied.

"I was really surprised, when they granted my parole thatsoon."

"Right after the warden told me that I will be leavingnext week, I got so excited that I nearly fell out of my chair."Stormy grinned.

"I don't know why you were so surprised, because I hadalready told you that Officer Fitzugly was going to put in agood word for you." Kerra replied.

"Even though, the warden did mention to me that OfficerFitzugly had a lot of good things to say about me, I don'tbelieve that whatever she said to him, was the decidingfactor.

I had been praying everyday for my parole to be granted.And one of the things that I've learned from the ministerduring service was to always pray and ask God for what youwant. And he said to me: "Your prayers shall be answered, ifyou truly believe!"

"As ironic as it may sound, I tried that. And as you cansee, it really works!' My parole was granted even sooner thanI had expected." Stormy replied.

"Well if that's the case, you need to start praying for mealso."

"Now that we know that God will answer your prayers,because I really don't think that he will be that generous withme, if I talked to him." Kerra laughed.

"You should try it sometimes." Stormy replied.

"He even answers fool's prayers."

"What in the world is that supposed to mean?" Kerrablurted.

"I'm just kidding with you." Stormy laughed.

"But seriously, I keep asking you to go to prayer servicewith Toya and I, but you keep giving us the run around. Ireally believe that you would enjoy yourself, if you ever gaveit a try."

"Maybe I will go with you guys this weekend." Thenhopefully, God will convince them to grant my parole by nextFriday, so that you and I can catch the same train back hometo Arkansas."

"Yeah, me too, I can hardly wait to get back home toMichael and Lil Mike JR." Stormy said, with her eyesbeaming with excitement.

"I don't know why you are still so crazy about that ole nogood, sorry excuse for a man!" Kerra blurted.

"Michael is really not that bad. He treats me and Lil MikeJR very well."

"How in the hell, can you sit there and say that!" Kerrashouted.

"When you know that his sorry ass just sat back and letyou take the blame for all of those drugs that he had hiddenin that raggedy ass car of his, when the cops pulled us over."

"He and his sorry friends were parked right across thestreet, the entire time, watching the whole incident unfold.And he didn't care enough about you to even come over tosee if you were ok. After he saw the cops arresting us, he andhis friends just drove away like nothing had happened. AndI could have sworn that I saw a smile on his face, as theydrove off."