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Apple Pie and Freedom
The Daily Word #35 I Gray I 332
Trevor stepped off the prison release bus. His feet felt like heaven in his own kicks as he walked toward the diner. The sun slipped behind the neon sign. “Best Pie in the County”.
Three years gone, vanished behind locked doors and gray walls.
He paused to breathe. The smell of burgers, the sound of cars, and the feeling of freedom.
The warm glow of the diner drew him inside.
He settled into a booth in the back corner. He could watch the room and plan an exit route if things became chaotic. A practice he learned quickly in his first week behind bars.
“What’ll it be? First meal out of the joint.” Gravel in her voice, eyes filled with age beyond her years. The name tag read, Cindy. Deep lines around her eyes spoke silently of struggles. He knew her path, rough and unfair.
“No meal, ma’am. Apple pie and a glass of milk, please.”
“Good choice,” she replied with a wink, “most guys step off that bus looking for a slice of homemade delight.”
He watched Cindy walk slowly past the booths toward the pie display case. She passed a family laughing as they sipped milkshakes and planned which movie they would be going to. Another booth was two teenagers sharing…
