Chapter 28

Luca

“Good morning, Mr. Washington.” I wish my favorite guard in the Yellow Cork
Penitentiary finally. My loud, ghetto voice should have startled the soft-spoken Mr. Cameron
Washington.

He should have replied with the same zest that he had some four years ago when I met
him for the first time – “Good morning, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening,
and good night." His love for goofy movies is way ahead of his time. He adores Jim Carrey.
But this time, he did not reply in same fashion. First of all, he was startled and second of
all, he was not prepared this time would come, given my incarceration some four years ago. I
was a red-blooded, hi-charged, air-humping, restless mother-lover that time. He must have
guessed any prison riot would have imperiled my black ass off.
He finally replies differently – “Hey kid, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He hands my
last piece of belongings to me.
“Thanks, Mr. Washington,” I say, taking the small bag with my few personal items. “I
appreciate everything you’ve done. You know, for looking out.”
He nods, his eyes softening. “You’ve come a long way, Luca. Just remember, the choices
you make out there are what matter now.”
I swallow hard. The weight of his words explosively sinks in my mind. “I know. I regret
everything I did. It was a stupid mistake, and I’ve paid for it. But I’m ready to start fresh.”
Cameron smiles heartfully while exposing rows of beautiful, well-arranged teeth. “That’s
good to hear. It’s not going to be easy, but I believe in you. You’ve got a good head on your
shoulders when you use it right.”
I chuckle, the sound feeling foreign in my chest. “I’ll try to keep that in mind. One day at
a time, right?”
“Exactly,” he says, patting my shoulder. “One day at a time. You’ve got this, Luca.”
I nod, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. “I’m gonna miss our talks,
Mr. Washington. You were always real with me.”
He smiles again, a little sadly this time. “I’m gonna miss them too, kid. But go out there
and make something of yourself. Don’t let this place define you.”
With a final nod, I turn and step out into the morning light. As I walk away from the
prison, I carry Cameron’s words with me, a reminder of the fresh start that lies ahead.
 I then reminisce how I got into the prison. Rico, my cousin, and I had just been trailed for
a grand theft auto, which I did just to get a kick out of it. I thought I needed an experience in the
jail to up my street cred. Never did I guess that the jail term would be four years for grand theft
auto in the state of California.
Since Rico was in possession of illegal stuffs too, he is still anguishing in here even after
four years term is over. But now I have served the sentence. I am a free bird.
I step out of the prison gates just as the first light of dawn breaks over the horizon. The
cool morning air fills my lungs, a stark contrast to the stale, confined atmosphere I've breathed
for so long. The world outside feels both familiar and entirely new. It is also filled with endless
possibilities.
I pause for a moment, taking in the sight of the world waking up around me—the birds
chirping, the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze, the distant hum of traffic beginning to stir.
It's a new beginning, and I can feel the promise of endless possibilities stretching out
before me. I survey so much has changed in four years of time.
With the little money I saved from my prison job, I make my way to a nearby diner. The
place is cozy, with the comforting aroma of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon greeting me as I step
inside. I find a seat by the window to enjoy the simple pleasure of sitting while I savour the
inside and outside milieu in the booth, free and unshackled.
The waitress, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, brings me a menu and smiles. "First
day out?" she asks, her eyes flicking to the door and back to me.
I nod, managing a small smile. "Yeah, just got released."
She pats my shoulder gently. "Really. Take your time. Order whatever you like. It is on
the house. Your honesty is mind-boggling. But promise me, you would not follow the path that
led you to the prison." Breakfast for free. I am puzzled because I am determined to leave my past
behind even without any freebies.
As she walks away, I glance around the diner happily. There are still good people out
here.
People are chatting, laughing, living their lives. It feels surreal to be part of this world
again. When the waitress returns with my coffee, I decide to open up a bit. "I was in for grand
theft auto," I say quietly, stirring sugar into my cup. "Made some bad choices. But I don't want
that to define who I am now."
She nods, her expression understanding. "Everyone makes mistakes. It's what you do
after that counts."
 I sip my coffee, the warmth spreading through me. "I regret it all, you know. The theft,
the hurt I caused to my mama. But I learned a lot in there. Did some manual labor, saved up a bit.
It gave me time to think about who I want to be."
The waitress places a plate of pancakes in front of me, the sight almost bringing tears to
my eyes. It's been so long since I've had something like this. "Well," she says, "sounds like
you've got a good head on your shoulders. Just take it one day at a time."
As I dig into my breakfast, I think about her words. One day at a time. It's a start—a
chance to build something new, something better. I look out the window at the sun climbing
higher in the sky, feeling a sense of hope and determination taking root within me.
This is my new beginning. The past is a part of me, but it doesn't define what I can
become. With each bite, each sip of coffee, I vow to embrace the fresh opportunities and
possibilities that lie ahead.
After finishing my breakfast, I step out of the diner, thank the lady for the free breakfast
and into the bustling downtown area. The sun is higher now, casting a warm, golden light over
the streets. I take a deep breath, feeling the energy of the city around me. Today is the day I start
my job hunt. I will only see my mama after showing her an appointment letter.
I walk into the first place that has a "Help Wanted" sign in the window—a small
bookstore. The smell of old paper and ink hits me as I step inside. The owner, an older woman
with glasses perched on her nose, looks up from behind the counter.
"Hi, I'm Luca. I saw you were hiring," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
She smiles politely. "Do you have any experience?"
I hesitate for a moment before deciding to be honest. "I just got out of prison. I did time
for grand theft auto, but I'm looking for a fresh start. I'm willing to work hard."
Her smile falters, and she shakes her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't hire you. I appreciate
your honesty. My bookstore is small. I can't afford the time to train someone new. "
I nod, trying to keep my spirits up. "Thank you for your time."
As I leave the bookstore, I remind myself that this is just the beginning. Rejection is part
of the process. I keep moving, stepping into a coffee shop next. The manager there listens to my
story but gives me the same response.
By the time I hit the third place, a small deli, I'm getting used to the routine. The owner, a
burly man with a thick mustache, listens patiently.
"I'm Luca," I begin my routine introduction. "I just got out of prison for grand theft auto.
I'm looking for a job and a chance to start over."
He scratches his chin, looking thoughtful. But in the end, he shakes his head too. "Sorry,
kid. We can't take the risk."
 I thank him and step back out onto the street. These three rejection stings, but with each
step, I feel a little more determined. This is my chance to redefine myself, to let go of the past
and embrace new possibilities.
As I continue my walk, I realize that true freedom isn't just about being out of prison. It's
about letting go of old patterns and creating a life that aligns with my true values and aspirations.
The slate is wiped clean, and every step I take is a step toward the life I want to build.
After another rejection from a job, I find myself wandering aimlessly through the streets
of downtown. Eventually, I end up at a small park, sitting on a bench and staring at the ground.
An off duty cop I recognize from my neighborhood, Officer Hernandez, approaches me with a
friendly nod. He used to come to Yellow Cork Penitentiary too.
“Hey, Luca,” he says, sitting down beside me. “Mind if I join you?”
“Sure, Officer Hernandez. What’s up?” I reply, trying to sound casual despite my
frustration.
“I heard you got released today. I have followed you since morning and I know you need
a job. You did not get any, did you, huh?” he asks, his tone sympathetic.
“Yeah, no one wants to hire a guy with my record,” I admit, sighing.
He looks at me thoughtfully. “How’s your family doing? I remember meeting your mom
a few times. She’s a strong lady.”
“Mama. She must be hanging in there. I haven’t visited my place after my release this
morning. I wanted her to see me as a changed son. I wanted to see her with an appointment letter
in my hand. My mama is always worried sick about my past. All she ever asked from me was to
stay out of trouble, which I never did.” I say, a pang of guilt hitting me.
Hernandez nods. “I hear you. Look, I know you’re trying to turn things around. That’s
why I wanted to talk to you about something.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
He leans in a bit, lowering his voice. “We’re working on a case involving a big grand
theft auto ring in the area. It is run by the Syndicate. We need someone on the inside to help us
catch the mastermind behind it all. The YCPD is sure many of the felons are first timer like
yourself. They are forced to commit the crime against their will. We are on a mission to free
them too.”
“You want me to be a mole?” I ask, surprised.
“Yeah. You really have a big brain on you, kid. Plus, you’ve got the background. Last
time, I know you were jailed for grand theft auto. Now, you clearly have their sympathy to join
them. Plus, it’s a chance to make a real difference and start fresh. It is a payback time too.” he
explains.
 I take a deep breath, thinking it over. The idea is daunting, but now is the time I confront
the fears and insecurities that have always threatened to hold me back. I refuse to let them
paralyze me. Instead, I embrace courage and resilience, knowing this could be my shot at
redemption.
“I’ll do it,” I say, my voice steady. “What do I need to do?”
Over the next few weeks, I delve deeper into this new beginning. The work is risky and
often uncomfortable, but I push through the uncertainty, forging a path forward. But Mrs.
Finkelman, my mom, is at the cloud nine ever since. Even though, she knows I am treading on a
slippery slope, she knows I would only get the best in the end.
Each challenge I face reveals my inner strength and resilience. I realize I have the power
to shape my own destiny, to overcome obstacles, and to transcend the limitations that held me
back in the past.
One evening, after a particularly tense meeting with some shady characters, I sit in my
small apartment, reflecting on how much I’ve changed. With each challenge, my confidence
grows, fueling my determination to create a life of purpose and fulfillment.
This new role isn’t just about taking down criminals; it’s about proving to myself that I
can rise above my past. It’s about making choices that align with my true values and aspirations.
As I navigate this complex and dangerous world, I hold onto the belief that I’m capable of more
than I ever imagined.

Tomorrow I am going to meet the kingpin of the Syndicate. Tomorrow is my redemption.