“Dominic,” I reply, shaking his hand firmly.
“A man who needs no introduction,” Stephen says, revealing a row of slightly uneven teeth, but that only seems to make him even more likeable.
“That’s nice of you to say,” I smile back, and a moment later, we all take a seat.
“It’s nice of you both to come,” he continues, making sure to look at both of us while talking. I’ve always appreciated people who made sure to do that in a conversation. It shows good manners.
Again, I wonder how such a nice guy survives in prison. I can’t imagine him fighting anyone or carving a knife out of a toothbrush. Still, he seems to be in a good mood and in even better shape.
“How are you, dad?” Lilly takes over the conversation, asking him probably the usual first question, although I know she is burning up on the inside to share the good news. I admire her patience, as we both listen to Stephen tell us about the new books the prison library has received and how he got a new job, doing laundry, which he likes much better than being in the kitchen.
“At least, I don’t smell like fish patties anymore,” he says, chuckling.
You gotta hand it to the guy. He hasn’t lost his sense of humor, yet another admirable trait. The more time I spend here, the more I like this guy.
“Mom is sure gonna like that,” Lilly adds, and all three of us chuckle loudly together.
A guard warns us to be quiet, and Lilly makes a grimace that almost throws us into another fit of laughter, but we manage to resist the temptation to do so.
“I have some great news, dad,” Lilly suddenly says, with her voice interrupted by barely noticeable breaths, as if she’s been running a half-marathon. It’s all the excitement that she can’t sustain.
“You do?” he wonders, sounding surprised, “do tell.”
“Well…” Lilly turns to me, as if for support, and I smile reassuringly. “Your case will be reopened.”
Stephen’s eyes flutter, blinking heavily. At first, he seems as if he didn’t hear her correctly. He just sits there, staring blankly at her.
“Dad?” Lilly calls out, worried. The moment he hears her voice, he comes back down.
“Reopened?” he echoes.
She beams at him so lovingly. “Yes, dad. Reopened.”
“But…” He eyes her first, then me, then her again, like a little child who can’t believe that he got exactly what he wanted for Christmas. “How is that possible?”
Lilly chuckled softly this time. “Let’s just say I pulled in a favor.”
I smile at the inside joke. Stephen also smiles, although he doesn’t get it. He doesn’t need to.
“And Dominic will hire the best lawyer to take on your case,” Lilly adds.
Stephen looks at me. “I can’t ask you to do that,” he says in that kind voice.
“No one asked me,” I clarify. “I offered myself. That is the least I can do, after your daughter helped me clear my name.”
“Technically, your name cleared itself,” Lilly pointed out.
“You cleared it first, between the two of us,” I remind her. “In my mind, you’re the hero.”
“Ah, you’re too kind,” she smiles, caressing my cheek softly, then pulling away instantly. We’re here in a place where physical contact should be brought down to a minimum, even between visitors.
“So, like I said, don’t worry about that,” I turn back to Stephen. “I’ve got the best guy on the case. If anyone can prove that you’re innocent, it’s him.”
Stephen seems overwhelmed by everything.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” he finally manages to muster.
“Don’t say anything yet,” I reply. “Thank me when it’s all done, shake my hand and that’s that.”