WHO: Thomas and Jamie WHAT: First visits in prison WHEN: Three months after he was sentenced WHERE: ...a prison (SHUT UP I STILL HAVEN'T RESEARCH FUCK OFF.) WARNINGS: Prison-y things, language, feels
Since being handed down a life sentence and being sent to prison, Thomas had learned how to survive. He wouldn't call it living, of course. The food was bland and the company wasn't spectacular. He missed his family, and especially his son, every second of every day. The fact that he couldn't have any visitors at all during his first three months didn't help at all.
He had, however, been approached by a gang of Hermes' thugs on his second day, and been told he was under their protection. The instructions had come from Hermes himself, who was doing it as a favour to his granddaughter, Kat. The thought that he could be assaulted in prison, whether sexually or physically, had terrified him. Knowing he was protected and he didn't have to do anything to guarantee that protection...that was priceless. He could kiss Hermes on the mouth in thanks, but he didn't think the god would appreciate that so much.
The days dragged on, and he fell into a rhythm. In the morning he was given his anti-depressants, which he needed now more than ever, and then went to breakfast. He had time in the yard before lunch. After lunch he worked in the laundry and then there was dinner before lockdown. Every night he listened to his cellmate snore, and he tried not to be consumed by desperate loneliness.
When three months passed, he knew he could have visitors. He wasn't allowed contact visits until twelve months was up, and only then as long as he behaved himself. He would have to see his family from behind a glass wall, but god it was better than nothing.
He received notification that Jamie was coming to see him on the first day visitors were allowed, and he had never expected any less from his son. He spent the entire day telling people he was getting to see his kid, and when the time came, he joined the line of inmates who also had family visiting. One by one, they were taken into a room and strip-searched. Even though they would be separated by a glass window, contraband was still not allowed in the visitation room. Thomas was not well pleased when he was told to spread his cheeks and cough, but soon enough he was allowed to pass through into the room where Jamie was waiting, just on the other side of the glass.
Thomas rushed over to a chair and then he picked up the phone. He knew he looked thinner than before, and he had shaved all his hair off (it was more difficult to grab someone without hair and even with protection it paid to be careful). He didn't think Jamie would be thrilled at the changes in his father, but Thomas was too happy to see him to worry to much about it. The moment the phone was up to his ear, he burst into tears. "I'm so happy to see you," he cried into the phone. "I love you."