Father Liam O’Keeffe had worked for years to bring even a slight ray of sunshine to people. He worked often with the Indiginous, fighting for their fights and freedom. But in addition, he worked with incarcerated youths, hoping to make life in the Youth Centers bearable. He went about this, giving his talents to Home Cooking a not for profit organization that aimed to bring at least one decent holiday meal to inmates a year.
This year, Liam had arranged a Thanksgiving dinner to be cooked and served to the inmates at Prince George Youth Custody Centre. It was no accident that Liam worked at this particular place, but few knew that and no one would argue. It was his choice where he wanted to serve.
He arrived, as the volunteers always did, just after lunch on Thanksgiving day. Everyone was thoroughly searched, including everything that they brought with them. Once cleared, they separated into the four dining rooms, serving each of the alphabetized wings of the prison. Liam worked in the same kitchen that served E-Block and its inmates.
Liam oversaw the cooking, cleaning and serving. He realized that, once they left, the kitchen would be cleaner than they found it. The prison, of course, had guidelines, and they remained literally within the guidelines of what was clean.
At last, they were ready to begin serving. The turkey was real turkey, but it had to be pressed into a large, or rather several large loaves. Ham was also an option, gravy as well as potatoes baked and mashed, corn, broccoli, peas, yams and green beans. Dessert was the choice between deep dish apple or pumpkin pie.
Liam stood back, dressed in his vestments watching with a small smile on his face … but also searching the crowd for a familiar face.
Dante and Gene had a bet on about how turkey like the turkey flavoured Klik might be. It was Thanksgiving dinner or so they said but expectations were low. They even had Shaw ready to make a list of possible ingredients. The kid could pick out msg and soybean oil. It was a freakish talent. Earlier that week Dante had gotten a package in the mail of pumpkin cookies from Gen. The guards had rifled through them so some were decimated to crumbs. But the remains he split with his ravenously grateful E Block family. They scooped them out by the handful after he and Gene read Shaw and Ho the hand washing riot act. But now they were filling into the dining hall and it smelled....delicious. Dante stared. It wasn’t the regular slop servers but like regular humans in t-shirts and jeans. All ages, genders and races with kind faces. And then standing and looking around was Father Liam O’Keefe in a priest’s robe full on. Dante elbowed Gene “It’s your pal. He do all this?” Dante gave the priest a wave “Hey there.”
Shaw scurried around and scoped out the food and then came back grinning “It’s real. It’s all real!”
Ho walked in and stared as if the place was all decked out. It wasn’t unless you counted the food. “Real food?” he looked around, as if he might have walked into the wrong place. He got a plate and a seat. Not with Sinclair, Mendoza or Shaw because all three of them were trouble one way or another. His clients hated both SInclair and Mendoza because those two had decided to keep their records clean and both had proven by their convictions that if they didn’t want to be bothered, they wouldn't be bothered. Shaw because it was at least implied that he was under the protection of both Sinclair and Mendoza. So he sat with Skelly and his cronies. They used him, but he was paid pretty well for it.
Gene was not so much happy that it was Thanksgiving as he was that it was a day off of the usual school and work details. The national holiday was an insult, but it meant some effort would be put into food, which meant next to nothing in his book. Some of the guys on other blocks who had been in the prison longer than him had claimed that once a year some organization came to give them real food. He’d called them all liars, just not to any of their faces. Now he looked around the cafeteria in near shock. He saw Father O’Keeffe and gave him a wave as well. “I guess so?” he had no idea. “Maybe your magical island sent him.” he grinned. “Hey Father.” and then elbowed Dante. “Lets get some before it’s all gone.” but it didn’t look like it was going to be gone. He got his plate and asked for extra corn, which he got and an extra corn muffin, which he did not. But he was also given his choice of ham and turkey, but when he asked if he could have both was given a slice of each. Sitting at the table, with a large glass of water, he waited for Dante before saying. “This turkey loaf looks like .. turkey .. and not dry shit, either. What the fuck? Did we die in our sleep? No … we wouldn’t wake up here, I’d hope.”
Liam smiles and nods at the boys but also doesn’t pay then TOO much attention, because he doesn't want them singled out too much. But he does begin to move around as they sit to eat and he’ll definitely stop by to say hello at some point.
Dante loads up on everything and then sits down to eat looking so happy he might cry. “We’re alive man…” He says to Gene “So fucking alive.” He looks at Father O’Keefe as he passes again with a swish of his robes and then does something he hasn’t done much of since his mother was alive and crosses himself muttering a quiet prayer in Spanish she used to say before he digs in.
Shaw was like a kid at Christmas as he plunked down with them “Oh you guys…..oh you GUYS!” He holds up a piece of sweet potato on his fork like it’s a wonder to behold. Then all of a sudden Dante’s all religious and Shaw sort of bows his head awkwardly but watches Dante like a hawk and then looks at Gene “Are we supposed to pray or something?” He stuffs the sweet potato in his mouth and chews and then slaps the table with joy.
Gene lifts his hand, rubbing under his nose as he hides his smile at the reassurance that he is alive. He watches Father O’Keeffe go by in priest clothes and like a long jacket or something. “Is he….” he begins but then Dante crosses himself and begins praying in Spanish, so he is silent until he’s done. “How did I forget you’re Catholic again?” he looks at Shaw and waves his hand. “You’re fine, man. I think.”
Liam sees Dante cross himself and grins slightly. He passes the next table and hears some kid asking about his dress. Chuckling, he realizes he may have overdone it, so he motions to one of the workers at the drink table and slips out of it. He still looks every inch the priest, but the ‘skirt’ is now gone.
Dante looks a little self conscious and chuckles “I’m many things. Mostly I’m fuckin hungry.” He looks between Gene and Shaw “Let’s eat.” Now he digs in and doesn’t speak again for at least 15 minutes, savouring every genuine bite. He finally comes up for air from feasting and drinks down some water “Food is amazing.” He looks over at Father O’Keeffe and notices he’s a bit more casual and nods at him.
Shaw leans back and pats his belly “Oh man…..that was awesome.” He notices the looks at the priest “So do you know that guy? He some kinda missionary?” Shaw looks around at the volunteers who were in regular clothes.
Skelly has made his way to the counter and is trying to chat up a woman volunteer with what looks like some put on charms. Another women walks up beside her, bigger and tougher looking and covered in tattoos and barks something at him, putting her arm around the more petite woman.
Shaw smirks “Do you think those girls are gonna kiss? Do you think they’re like...lesbians?” He has that teenage boy fantasy fodder look on his face. Skelly just looks grossed out now and a little afraid.
Dante snorts “Don’t make assumptions Shaw. But I’d pay to see Skelly get his ass kicked by lesbians.”
Gene eats and enjoys every bit of it. Then he downs his water and gasps. “Man … oh man …” he watches Skelly and sighs to himself. Finally Shaw speaks, asking if they were lesbians and if they would kiss. “Why would … just .. Shaw .. just … don’t think about it, you’ll embarrass yourself.”
Liam is still sort of making the rounds and sees a young inmate talking to one of the women. He very calmly walks towards them as her larger, more tattooed and muscular friend comes to her rescue. Speaking very calmly, he asks. “Can I help you, my son?” Skelly turns around and looks up at Liam, who is thin, but 6’ 7” tall. He towers over the young man. “I do believe your table is over there.” although he does not point it out for him, the young man hurries back to it. Suppressing a sigh, Liam begins to walk towards Dante and Gene’s table. He notices the empty plates and looks quite pleased. “I thought I would wait until you were done eating to stop by.” he looks at the three of them. “Dante, I trust your package arrived safely? Liam wanted me to make sure.” he looks at Gene. “And I hope you got The Old Man and the Sea? I’m afraid I am just not as trusting as I should be.” he then turns to Shaw. “Hello, son. I’m Father Liam O’Keeffe. And you are?”
Dante snorts at Gene’s words to Shaw and then watches Father O’Keeffe send Skelly walking and grins. When the priest approaches them he nods “Yep….received and consumed.” He looks between Gene and Shaw and over at Ho. “I even shared.” He shifts his gaze to Gene about the question on the book.
Shaw blushes a bit on being called out about his comments but then can’t help but enjoy seeing Skelly squirm. “That dude’s really tall…” He remarks. When the cookies come up and the priest is talking to them now he smiles at Dante “Those were good cookies. Your girl have a sister…..or a brother?”
Dante cringes “Yeah...the older one’s practically living with his girl and the younger ones…. they’re way younger…..don’t go there man…” In truth Cath and Rene were probably old enough to be on Shaw’s radar but he sure as hell wasn’t going to let him think about that. And Gen had recently shared that Rene was dating Tristan Reinhardt. Somehow surprising but also not.
Shaw puts out a hand to shake when Father O’Keeffe introduces himself “Christian Everett Shaw. But Shaw is what most call me. Christian’s cool too though. Thanks for the chow Father. It rocked.”
Gene blinks at Shaw when he asks if Gen has siblings. “So is this what real food does to you, Shaw? Make you ask stupid questions?” He rolls his eyes and looks at Father O’Keeffe. “I did get it, Father. Thank you. And the cookies were great. Crumbly … but great. They probably got broken during inspection.” he glances at Shaw, pleased he found some manners.
Liam smiles. “Outstanding.” he arches a brow. “I suppose they may have been … as long as you got them, I can't complain. And if you’d like another book, just ask, although I think Natalie would say you should just get them later.” he means when he is released, which Natalie is working hard on. He then looks at Shaw, bemused. “Christian. A noble name. And you're welcome. It isn’t all my doing. Home Cooking tries to get at least one good meal to incarcerated youths every year. This year I came here. Believe me .. this is NOT my cooking.”
Shaw humbles a bit at Gene’s words and then looks pleased the priest likes his name. “This is the best meal we’ve had all year.” He looks between Dante and Gene. He heard the part about Gene getting the book later. He was simple in many ways but not stupid. These guys would get out before him and he’d be left alone with Ho and whoever else took their places in E Block. He swallowed and looked away.
Dante smiles about the book thing. He was hopeful Natalie could get Gene out “See….read slower Sinclair. Or read Jaws again.” He snorts. “We appreciate the food. It helps, even if it’s just for today.” He sees Shaw looking melancholy and glances at him but doesn’t outright ask him about it.
Gene nods. “It really is a great meal.” he looks at Shaw, who is down about something, but he has no idea what. “You know, it’s a holiday. Maybe they have a good drink for you. Go on and have another.” he tells Shaw. He looks at Dante. “I also have the library. Way out of date but not the worst books in the world.”
Liam looks at Shaw and wonders about him. He looks young and innocent, although many of the boys here did. Young, at least. Not as many still looked innocent.
Shaw takes his empty cup at Gene’s words and smiles a little “I think I will.” He gets up and goes to the drink station but just as he’s almost in front of it Walker with his patchy brush cut and one false eye surrounded by a scar steps in in front of him and pours himself a juice. Shaw backs up a bit, looking wary but then something unexpected happens.
Walker turns around holding the juice jug and sees Shaw “I didn’t mean to cut you.” He tips the jug and pours Shaw a glass of juice and then gives him a little nod “Happy Thanksgiving.” He sets the jug down and walks away with his like this was a common occurrence.
Shaw had held his cup steadily but watched Walker like he was bracing himself to get all his teeth knocked out. When Walker just said something almost nice and poured him a juice he stared a little open mouthed at him. Then he wished him a Happy Thanksgiving. Belatedly Shaw called after “Uh….thanks...you too?” He sort of shuffled back to the table and sat back down looking stunned “Oooook…..”
Dante held his breath as Walker got in the same space as Shaw and then his eyes went wide was Walker seemed to be a decent human being today. As Shaw came back he sort of chuckled and looked between Gene, Father O’Keeffe and Shaw “Well that happened.” Then he thinks about it and looks around. Aside from Skelly lots of the A-Holes and D-Bags were talking and laughing with genuine warmth. After a slow nod Dante says “You know if we had good food everyday I think this place would have a lot less shitheads.”
Gene was also watching Walker and was surprised at the warmth of the exchange. He nods. “That would be nice if good food equaled good people.” he grins at Shaw. “See … it’s not ALL bad, right?”
Liam watches the exchange, but it is the reactions of Dante and Gene that make him realize that this didn’t happen every day. “There should be better conditions overall in the prison system. I know a lot of these men are here because of circumstance, not because they are inherently bad people. But the government wants to punish…” he stops himself. “Sorry … I thought I’d left my pulpit and bible at home.” he jokes. “Maybe just having smiling servers who speak to you kindly helps.”
Shaw gave Gene a forced smile “Not all bad...today.” He looked between Gene and Dante and then up at Father O’Keeffe “It does help having people who see us as humans.” He shrugs and sighs. He often didn’t feel he deserved anyone’s kindness but it still felt good when it happened.
Dante nods along with Gene “Yeah what he said.” He listens to Father Liam and smirks “No man...rant on…..sling some at the warden while you’re at it. Maybe after the meal so they don’t shut you guys down.”
Gene chuckles as Father O’Keeffe nearly gives a sermon. I’m not much into god, Father but yea … preach.” he looks at Shaw and nods and then around the room. People did seem to be more light hearted today.
Liam grins and puts a kind hand on Shaw’s shoulder. “That’s how it should be, son.” he tells him and then he laughs at Dante’s words. “Oh, they won’t shut us down. That would be awful press for this place as well as for the prison system as a whole. You’d be amazed how political all of this is.” he looks over the three young men. “Or maybe you wouldn’t be.”
Shaw is comforted by the hand on his shoulder and smiles at Gene and Dante. He wasn’t a politically aware guy but he kinda got what the priest said. He played the games he needed to to make sure the guards were looking when trouble was near after all.
Dante folds his arms “Everything’s politics here….bullshit and politics. But maybe it’s just a narrower focus than out there.” He head juts out the window. He knew from life on Alexandra, his life as a thief, his trial, even school that there were many forms of bullshit and politics.
Liam nods slowly. “It’s everywhere. You just have to know how to game the system.” he pats Shaws shoulder.
Gene nods his agreement. The system had to be gamed. “I think they focus on us because we’re the ones they want to forget. Does that makes sense? They throw us in here and if we survive they just toss us right back out there and most of the time they’re just keeping our beds warm for us to fuck up and come back.”
Liam nods. “So you game them by not fucking up, so you never have to come back to a place like this.”
Shaw looks shocked at the priest swearing but then smiles broadly and nods.
Dante smirks “Working on it. I was going clean before...I still am.” He looks at Gene and then Shaw “We can all game them….somehow.”
Gene grins when the priest swears. “Somehow. Yea.”
Liam looks at them all and then around the room towards Ho and Skelly’s table. “If you gentlemen will excuse me.” he nods to them and moves off, joining Ho and Skelly at their table.
Dante is still grinning as Father O’Keeffe wanders “Cheers Padre.” He says as he goes. He looks at Shaw “you had two glasses of juice and you’re subdued. Turkey sleepies?”
Shaw smiles a bit and looks between Gene and Dante “Nah man….it’s just when you two go….my life in here gets shitty again. It bums me out. I’m in for the haul…..I deserve to be….but that’s how it is.” He sadly shrugs.
Gene watches the padre head off and then looks back at Shaw when he speaks. Shaw technically had a point, he knew. But at the same time he and Dante let people assume that they were protecting the younger and weaker Shaw, yet in all the time Gene had been in this place he had only had to speak to Ho … once … and he’d scared Ho so badly that he was nothing but sweetness and light to Shaw now. “You can take care of yourself, man.” he insists. “You act like me and Mendoza your personal bodyguards.” he protests.
Shaw shakes his head “It’s not just that. I know I can…...but you guys….are the only real people in here….so far.”
Dante had nodded along with Gene “Yeah you totally play the game and you’ve got this…” But then he hears Shaw and sighs, looking sadly at him “Probably everyone is. Some of these dickheads just have too many layers of shit to see it. Nobody in here started out with their life like this…” He gestures around.
Gene nods at Dante’s words to Shaw. “Exactly. I mean seriously. Look around.” he also gestures around. “Guys talking and laughing ...not like they usually do .. all malicious and shit, but genuinely having a good time.” he looks at Shaw. “I didn’t come out of the womb trying to kill motherfuckers. And you didn’t come out of it in a stolen car.” he stops and dramatically narrows his eyes suspiciously. “Did you?”
Shaw accepts what they’re trying to say and nods. “Yeah….yeah I know.” But at Gene’s last question he can’t resist a joke “Oh yeah baby...one of those RC dealies. My mama swallowed a matchbox car and it grew with me.”
Dante can’t help but laugh “Jesus Shaw, there’s the juice sugar kicking in. You’re a weird little dude sometimes.” He finishes his pie “Not quite Lydia’s but pretty tasty.”
Gene smiles at the joke. Shaw might be okay after all. “Well it’s a holiday so let him have some fun.” he grins. “And if you want to throw me in a reservation, as long as its not here I’m all for it, man.”
Liam gets up from his discussion with the Ho and Shaw table and moves on, slowly working his way to all of the tables.
Dante looked between Gene and Shaw. Gene he was pretty sure would get out and he knew a great place for Gene to end up. The connection with Father O’Keeffe kind of sealed it too. Maybe they could keep tabs on Shaw from Alexandra and the island would call him to it’s safe shores too. Dante gave them a little nod “You know guys...someday we’ll all be where we’re supposed to and it won’t be in here. But for this day, just be thankful we got to eat something that’s not Klik….and shoot the shit together.” He glances at the priest and the kind volunteers and then toasts them with his water glass and sips. Someday.
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