On the Bench [Sequel to On the Couch]

Chapter Four

Quick Note: So, I spent all weekend editing and it was a really draining process. I still haven't gotten very far in On the Couch and the editing process but its gradually working. Sigh, so I apologize for the lateness of this update. I hope you enjoy it. Also the stuff I describe here is partially from my own experience as much as I assume its pretty much the same for the men as far as I know. For some reason writing this chapter has drained me mentally and I feel tired and have a headache, per the usual when I write and type and edit haha. Enjoy my lovies!

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Evan’s POV

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The clanging of keys against metal bars jolted me awake. There always was a moment that I forgot where I was when wakeup call came around.

“Rise and shine,” I heard the morning guard call over the speaker system. “6AM roll call people. When the guards reach your cell be sure to respond to your name or television privileges are revoked until the next shift.” The static was high pitched as the guard spoke and the speaker screeched when he hung up the line.

It reminded everyone that we were in jail and immediately gave the morning a stressed out, oppressed feeling. Who knew only having a five by ten foot room to live in with at max four other inmates could be so taxing and draining. Everything was depressing in here.

I blinked, yawning as I sat up and ran my hands through my hair. I could hear the groan and creak coming from the other bunk as my roommates, for lack of a better word woke. I stood up shuffling over to the sink and toilet that had no privacy partitions from anything.

I relieved myself in the drab stainless steel and tried to comb my hair with the tiny object they provided for you when they dressed me out. I made a routine for myself to keep busy during the day and in between Sonja’s phone calls as I set about washing my face. All the products I was given for hygiene could fit into a small brown paper bag.

Behind me, I could hear the guards beginning to make their rounds in the hall on the other side of bars that kept us locked in this cage – like animals. I never paid attention to the other names that were called except my own and obviously I have learned my roommate’s names.

Today, my routine would be interrupted. It was Wednesday and I had my arraignment in three hours. I dreaded the idea of Sonja seeing me like this – dressed in these generic clothes of the green uniform. I think I have even lost some weight. The food was hardly edible and not enough.

“Cell 424 roll call, if you don’t respond to your name, no TV, you know the drill…Ronald Thomas,” the guard said redundantly.

“I’m up,” the black man that had a sense of humor despite the circumstances called out sleepily.

“Raul Cisneros.”

“Si,” I smirked at his bored tone.

“Evan Jacobs.”

I turned. “Yes.” My voice was a monotone.

“Steven Henry.”

“Yeah,” the small, blonde man jumped down from his bunk as I stepped away from the toilet. Everyone seemed to be in a mood this morning. I was the only one who had court today.

“Thank you gentlemen.” The guard never looked at us; just made check marks on the clipboard he carried and flicked on the television with a remote he pulled out of his chest pocket. I will have some of the episodes to NCIS forever burned into my memory. How ironic that a cop procedural is what we got to watch most the time.

I sat back on my bunk to wait again as the next part of the morning was the breakfast trolley.

“Hey doctor, you think you will get out today?” Steven asked.