by Anne Brown

Created on: October 29, 2008

A CHANGED LIFE

It was a nice fall day when Janet pulled into the lot of the Levi County, Florida Jail. She found a parking spot not far from the entrance, pulled in and turned off the engine. Looking around and not seeing her sister, she climbed out of the car and headed for the doorway.

"Hi, I'm here to pick up an inmate who was just released. Am I in the right place?" Janet asked the bored looking lady behind the desk.

"No, they let them go through the gate outside, but you can wait in here if you want. At least it's cool with the air conditioning."

"That's okay," Janet told her, taking in the unpleasant smell of the room. "There's a nice breeze today, so I'll wait outside."

Heading to the car, Janet couldn't help but wonder if her sister had really changed. She'd visited Susan every weekend since she'd been arrested and during each visit, her sibling had sworn things would be different this time.

"I want to go to church and get my life back in order. I mean it, I really do," she'd tell Janet. "I'll stay away from the drugs, I promise. They're going to kill me if I don't. Besides, I don't want to live like this any more, I swear. Being in jail is awful and I can't go through it again."

Janet wanted to believe her, but it was hard. She'd all ready seen Susan go through court ordered rehab, jail, and community service. Still, less than a year ago, she was arrested again for a DUI and then sent back to lockup after violating her probation. She knew her sister was a con artist, which made it hard to believe a word she said. There was also the fact that Susan was a narcissist.

Janet waited two hours, and when there was no sign of Susan, decided to go home. I can't sit here all day. She'll call again when she's released and I'll drive back over. She thought, starting up the car and pulling away.

Janet wasn't home more than a half hour when the call came. Hearing her sister's voice, she told her, "I'll be right there. Just wait outside for me."

Well, here goes. She told herself. Please let it work this time. I do want her to change. I'd love to have my sister back. I've truly missed her and the friendship we shared.

This time, when she entered the parking lot, she saw her right away. Pulling up, she put the car in park and ran to the passenger side. Hugging her sister, she couldn't help crying with joy to know the ordeal was over.

"Boy I'm glad to be out of there!" Susan exclaimed.

"I know you are. Here I brought you something," Janet said handing her sister the gift bag covered in pretty colored flowers.

"You didn't need to do that. What is it?" Susan enquired.

"Open it and see. I hope you like it."

"Oh," Susan said. "It's a Bible! That's nice. It has large print too. I sure do need that!" She said, seeming pleased with the gift. "What else is in here?"

"A book about starting life over again and leaving the old mistakes behind," Janet told her.

"Starting over with a new life, yes that's what I need. It's perfect Sis. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome. I hope it helps," Janet answered.

Would it be a new life? I sure hope so. Only time will tell. Janet thought as she drove out of the lot, leaving the jail and hopefully her sister's past behind them.

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