I went down to the drugstore down the street to get some aspirin and to try to warm up a bit (my apartment is brrrrr cold!) when I saw this magazine, with a picture of a young man just getting out of prison. Of course, it reminded me of when I got out of prison, and the things I wished I had known back then. If only present day Curt Jimenez could warn fresh-out-of-prison Curt Jimenez of the mistakes he would soon be making in rapid succession. I know that's impossible, but it led me to thinking that maybe I have an obligation to help others who are being dumped out into society with a serious mountain to climb. Think about it--who will employ this Lil' Wayne? Especially now that his face is on the cover of a major magazine, and now everyone will know he is a convict. I know, I have my own problems, but I empathize. Could there be work for me, helping ease convicts back into society? Of course, I would have to overcome my communication deficits. And it might be a difficult sell that I should serve as a role model of success after prison. But what if?
I shouldn't not try, right?
It's an idea, anyways.
Homes gave me the best advice I got from anybody about what my life would be after prison. "It's a dog-eat-dog world out there for everybody," he told me, "and an ex-con ain't even a dog." Then he gave me one of his I'm-so-serious-you-don't-even-know stares.
I guess he was right.
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