Category : Stories

Sub Category : Drama

CHAPTER 3, PART 2

Eddie sits patiently on his bed as he waits for the cell door to pop open. His body still aches from yesterday's long journey from Union. If he could have his way, he'd rather spend the day sleeping. Unfortunately, that is a luxury he doesn't have. He sneaks a quick look at the bunk below him which is occupied by his new cellmate, Charles. Like him, Charles was awake and waiting to go to chow hall for their morning meal. He hasn't spoken much to Charles since he arrived last night. They only exchanged very brief introductions this morning. The slim black guy, from Eddie's observation, is a man with few words. He hasn't shown any interest in getting to know Eddie and the vibe he sent was quite apparent. After his past experience with his old cellmate, Sparky the Snake at Union, Eddie was totally fine with Charles' indifference. 

When the door popped open, the drill was the same as it was at Union. All the inmates filed a line outside the cells and in a single file of quiet order they make their way to the chow hall. Standing in the food line at the chow hall made Eddie feel awkward. For the past three years he has had his meals sent to him to his cell through the bean flap of his door in solitary confinement. For three years he had been eating his meals alone in his cell. This is the first time he is having his meal in chow hall surrounded by other inmates of general population in an unfamiliar institution. He tries hard to fight the jitters he felt but he just can't seem to shake it. After building up his food tray he nervously makes his way to find a table in the massive chow hall. He hadn't eaten anything after he finished the grub from his doggy bag in the bus yesterday and he was famished. As soon as he sat down, he attacked his food like there was no tomorrow. After he had done eating, he hurriedly makes his way back to the dorm to wait for count time.

Like any newcomers, he is required to report to the administration building after count time. There, they are given the usual breakdown of the rules and regulations of the institution. They are also shown a short video of the institution and what programs the facility has to offer. Eddie paid close attention and made mental notes of the possibilities he can pursue in the institution. Watching the video, he realized that Miss Patricia had told him the truth. There are a lot of possibilities for him here and he intends to make the most of the opportunity that is now made available to him. Next, they were shown around the institution as part of the orientation. The guided tour was something Eddie was truly thankful for. Not only he got to learn the layout of the institution, he also got to see firsthand how things are done here. Eddie smiled to himself. Polk Correctional definitely feels like a much better fit for him.

Orientation took up most of the day. He had asked a lot of questions during the guided tour and he was stoked at the possibility of learning and working in the near future. It was 6.30PM when they were dismissed. Fatigued, Eddie walked slowly towards his dorm. He was set to go back to his cell to write down notes of all that he had learned and discovered during the orientation. Deep inside he was still nervous and a little afraid emerging out of solitude, but at the same time he was also hopeful about getting a new start.

As he was walking towards his dorm, he noticed a very long line of inmates gathered along the corridor. He slowed down his pace, wondering what was going on. There was literally hundreds of inmates standing in line. He walks by the line of people hoping to learn what they were waiting for but he got nothing. He noticed that the snake of line was leading towards the chapel. Eddie was curious. He walks over and asks at random, "What's up here tonight?"

"Bishop Porter is coming," someone replied. He said it with such a sense of excitement in his voice. Eddie backs up a little and looks down the line that snakes from the chapel door all the way down the sidewalk outside the building. He was about to shrug it off and keep moving when the guy continued, "You may want to see this. You won't be disappointed."

Eddie's curiousity deepened. He walks back from where he came from and stands in place at the end of the line.

As soon as Eddie walked into the chapel, he saw a stage full of people dressed in traditional African robes of many colors, with matching headgears. Each of then had such infectious smiles on their faces that he couldn't help but grin himself. The vibe and energy in the chapel was strong and energetic. He has no idea what he is about to see but the clear excitement around him is enough to make him believe he was at the right place to be at in that moment. He saw and empty place in the middle of the chapel and quickly made his way there. He is aware that every institution invites guest speakers from time to time, most of them are from various ministries, who are called upon to bring awareness and also to reach out and guide inmates through spiritual path. He had heard about such events while he was at Union but never had the chance to participate until today.

It took several minutes for everyone to settle in but as soon as Bishop Porter touch the keyboard, the place turns complete silent. Everyone seemed like they had been hypnotized. All eyes, ears and senses were focused solely on the man in purple African robe on the stage. He has an aura about him that is hard to describe and a smile that is so radiant and pure. Eddie watch the man in awe. When he speaks, he speaks in such a melodic way with a tone so gentle that it sounds almost like a lullaby. He has every inmate in the chapel hanging on to his every word. He could whisper on stage and every word he says would be heard all the way to the back of the chapel. Such a powerful command he possess. Eddie was riveted right from the start.

The soreness of his body, the nerves of his anxiety, the pain of his trauma, they disappeared from Eddie's existence at that moment. His attention, his focus, his heart, zeroed in only on that powerful man and his flock of disciples. Everything that matters is happening in that moment. Nothing else matters. Eddie has never experienced anything like it in his life. When they started to sing, their voices were so soothing to his ears. He was carried away in his spirit. He felt like he was in a whole different dimension, like he was floating on air. He couldn't feel his body but he didn't care. He was sitting on a wooden pew surrounded by hundreds of other inmates but it seemed like his soul was no longer attached to his body. The whole experience is surreal to Eddie yet, his focus is total and complete.

"They say sometimes you win some 
sometimes you lose some,
and right now, right now I'm losing bad.
I've stood on this stage night after night,
reminding the broken it'll be alright,
but right now, oh right now I just can't.
It's easy to sing when there's nothing to bring me down 
but what will I say when I'm held to the flame like I am right now?
I know You're able and I know You can
save through the fire with Your mighty hand,
but even if You can't, 
my hope is You alone.
They say it only takes a little faith to move a mountain,
well good thing a little faith is all I have right now,
but God, when You choose to leave mountains unmovable,
oh give me the strength to be able to sing it is well with my soul. 
I know the sorrow and I know the hurt
would all go away if You'd just say the word,
but even if You don't,
my hope is You alone."

When Bishop Porter and his choir sang this song, the lyrics moved Eddie to his core. He felt every word of the song and in the packed chapel, Eddie cried. It wasn't a silent cry where tears silently rolled down his cheeks, no. It was a deep cry. A great shoulder heaving, gut sobbing kind of cry. At that moment, he didn't care that he was in a packed room full of people. He didn't care that others were staring at him. He just cried and cried, sobbing openly. All the pent up emotions that has been building up inside him for years, he released them all with that cry. The song Bishop Porter and his choir sang touched Eddie so much because he believed the Bishop. At that moment, Eddie truly believes that the Bishop loves him. That God loves him. Even though he is only one of hundreds in the chapel, Eddie can tell the Bishop meant every word he sang and he felt the Bishop had sang the song specifically for him. Deep in his soul, he felt a shift. Having spent three years in solitary, he had used that time to reconnect himself with God. He spent may nights and days praying, talking to God, and asking for answers. And tonight, in this chapel at Polk Correctional Institution, God had answered his prayers. Bishop Porter was sent by God to heal him. Eddie truly believed that.

Later, the Bishop recited a dramatic reading of a poem entitled, "Emotion". Once again, Eddie found himself deeply moved. The Bishop had dramatized it in such a powerful way. The picture he painted through his recital was so vivid that Eddie could clearly see and fully understand the mix and weave of feelings pulling him from one extreme to the next. Eddie could feel the incredible struggle the Bishop was conveying. He felt the pain like as if it was his own. And when the Bishop ended the poem with.... "Yet, through it all, he made it through to the other side".... Eddie rejoiced. He wanted to jump up and yell " Hallelujah!" but he checked himself.

After the poem recital, Bishop Porter continued the service with uplifting and motivational talk. His smile, the clear timbre of his voice, his body language and the way he worked the stage got everyone present looking in at their own self. His presentation was captivating and nurturing. Halfway through, he suddenly paused and walked up to the front of the stage. It appeared like he was searching for something or someone in the crowd. The chapel was silent as everybody waited to see what the Bishop was about to do. Eddie craned his neck higher so he could see clearer. The Bishop smiled. He lifted his hand and pointed to the crowd. Everyone turned to look at the direction the Bishop was pointing, including Eddie. Eddie looked to his left to see if anyone was responding. No one. He then looked to his right and then fixed his eyes back on Bishop Porter. At that moment, their eyes locked. The Bishop smiled again and nodded his head at the same time. Eddie was surprised. Was the Bishop pointing at him? Just to be sure, Eddie lifted his hand slightly without breaking eye contact with the Bishop and he pointed to himself. With a brilliant smile, the Bishop nods his head. He motioned Eddie to come forward. Eddie was out of the pew like a bolt of lightning. He moved forward as though he was in a dream; floating above the pews towards the stage. When he stood at the bottom of the stage in front of the Bishop, Bishop Porter leaned forward.

"See me after the service. I want to talk to you."

Eddie was too stunned to say a word. He nodded his head repeatedly like an obedient child then went to stand by the side of the stage. He was trembling with joy. 

"He noticed me! I wasn't just another face in the crowd or another number in the system. He actually noticed me!" Eddie's spirit soared. He couldn't help grinning to himself.

After the service was over and inmates were slowly dispersing, Eddie hung around waiting. His heart was beating fast. Did he imagine it all? Did he hear the Bishop correctly? With thoughts scrambling in his head he didn't notice the Bishop approaching. He only realized he wasn't standing alone when he felt a light touch on his arm. He snapped himself out of his thoughts as he found Bishop Porter standing in front of him. 

"What's your name, son?"

"Eddie. Eddie Spade."

The Bishop smiled.

"Well Eddie, I want to tell you something and I want you to listen good," he said, looking Eddie directly in the eye. 

Eddie tried to speak but words failed him. He swallowed the big lump in his throat and nodded his head instead.

"There are no limits to what you can be, even here in prison. Sometimes, you have to use what is around you, in the place you are, in the people you see, to get to where you want to be. Do you understand me?"

Eddie gulped. "Yes, Sir," was all he could say.

"Good. Now you'd better get going. But remember what I said."

Eddie thanked the Bishop, shook the man's hand and walked out of the chapel deep in thoughts. He couldn't believe what just happened. He couldn't believe out of hundreds of people in the chapel Bishop Porter had singled him out to impart such a deep and meaningful message. He thought how amazing it was how one single event can alter the direction of a life. It became very clear to him that Divine Intervention was in play. Yes, God sure works in mysterious ways.