The Dynamic Duo

Well, Prison Series readers: just got great news. Carlos is finally out of “the hole”, (solitary confinement), and is not going to be charged with anything in connection with the inmate who got beaten up. It’s a great load off my mind, I can tell you. Finally I can change my Page-A-Day Calendar off the entry for Feb 10th (the day he got rolled up) that reads “Never Give Up on Anyone. Miracles Happen Every Day.” Thanks to all of you who prayed for him, as I did. I had a bit of a ‘crisis of faith’ over this issue, but God’s timing is always perfect, and hopefully, things will just keep on getting better and better for Carlos.
I am getting ready to take a trip to Calif with some of my family, ie sister (Panther)& son (Michael), brother(David) & wife(Jane), and my own son, Jim to see other sister(Francie) and husband (Neil) in San Luis Obispo. I know we will have a lot of fun. I am a little apprehensive over the 6 hour drive to Boise tomorrow in the predicted snowstorm, but I will take my time. I plan to blog the trip, so for your sake, I hope it is amusing.
We had a busy day at the prison store today. When I arrived for work, a couple of ordered shipments had already arrived. When this happens, the clerks stack all the boxes in the first, small room that is separated from the main store by a locked door. The first room is also locked, but an officer can let them in. Noone can get into the main store without me and my magic key. Sometimes there is so much stuff in that entry room that I have a hard time even getting to the second door to unlock it, but that wasn’t a problem today. Joe arranges all the invoices, writes our store merchandise number next to each item on it, then hands it over to me to input into the computer. Now after inputting, I usually have Joe check to make sure I have entered the correct number of items received to avoid repeating silly errors. “No,” he told me today, “You put down 48 pens. It says we received 24.” “But, isn’t it 24 2-pks?” I queried, “And don’t we sell them by the each?” What I heard next was not something I often hear, and it was music to my ears: “You’re right,” he grinned sheepishly. Now, that’s what I’m talking about!
The guys, meanwhile are busy stocking shelves. Often, a box will be a bit crushed, and inside will be damaged merchandise. Today it was coffee and cocoa butter lotion. It’s not a problem though; the company is very good about replacing damaged items. Then its time for me to run the store orders on the computer. Today was a very good day; lots of inmates had ‘money on their books’, and we had lots for them to buy. Also, this is their last chance for store until I get back on March 20, so they are trying to make the most of it.
My new clerk, Sean, is working out very well. He is smart and enthusiastic, and a good communicator. I didn’t think the job would be fun anymore without Carlos, but I was wrong. Though different, it is becoming enjoyable once again. Sometimes I think Sean is a little frustrated with Joe’s teaching methods. Joe knows the job so well, he begins to explain, then just takes over and does it himself. I brought in some pizza and cake today, and we celebrated the good news about Carlos. I hear glowing stories about Miss Ida, the former storekeeper, and the wondrous feasts she used to bring in. “Miss Ida loved to cook,” Joe fondly remembers. I know I can never live up to whole barbecued turkeys and homemade jalapeno bread, so I won’t even try. When I leave today, everyone wishes me a safe and fun vacation.
So, parole for a week. California, here we come!

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