Read Online Living Right on Wrong Street by Titus Pollard - Free Book Online

feet away.
    Stinson hoisted himself onto a table and planted his feet on the bench. “What’s on your mind?” he asked.
    Delvin looked around, assured that no additional ears were joining the conversation. “Need something.”
    He grunted. “Oh, this is grand. You come to me—for something. Must be a cold day in hell.” He turned his left hand until the palm was up and then scratched it with his right.
    â€œYou have a way in this place,” Delvin said.
    â€œYou’re telling me stuff I already know.”
    Delvin seethed underneath, but appeared composed. His daily discourse with the inmates had been far from cordial. The majority of his interactions had barely been above a hello. He was being tested by the very one who had attempted to befriend him in the past. It was a sickening feeling, having to depend on another for anything. “I want something. That’s all.”
    Delvin was growing impatient, a minute regret that he had even approached the man he believed was the most conceited inmate in Ashland. “So, are you the man or should I look for another?”
    â€œLet me ask you something, Storm.” He shook his head. “Are you blazed? Something wrong with you ... like ... crazy?”
    â€œNo. Why?”
    â€œYou must be, because you don’t get the picture. What’s in it for me?” Stinson was loud enough to cause Murphy and Saks to look in their direction for a brief moment.
    Delvin backed away, squeezing his fists so tight the blood left his hands, leaving the knuckles eggshell white. “See, I knew you were homosexual. Trying to pretend like you have my well-being at heart. Back off.”
    Stinson’s eyes opened up. He began a hard laugh, continuing until he began to choke. He straightened up, pounded his chest, and regained his composure. “Man, I told you I ain’t into that. I meant it. You ain’t seen nothing outta me that told you I’m a siss—get real.”
    Delvin was confident that Stinson was resourceful. Above all, he knew the network inside the hole had laws that ascended above the warden, with a hierarchy of its own. “I’m going to put together a list. Things I want while I’m here.”
    â€œContraband?”
    â€œNo. Some papers, books, and stuff.”
    â€œThat shouldn’t be hard.”
    â€œBut it won’t be things you can find inside, necessarily.”
    Stinson cocked his head. “I figured that.” “Might take me a few days to compile the list. I’ll let you know when it’s completed.”
    â€œThe person who actually secures the goods won’t be me.”
    Delvin leaned in, wondering if his time had just been wasted on the wrong person. “Why am I talking to you, then?”
    â€œYou have a thing against patience, don’t you? Be cool.”
    Stinson was in control and Delvin hated it. Having to wait for someone else to put a plan into motion was not his forté, but he had no choice. “You haven’t told me what you wanted out of this.”
    Stinson rubbed his face, twisting his cheeks as if in a whirlwind of thought. Moments passed. He sighed. “A toy.”
    Delvin, had expected something more profound. Then he asked, “What? A set of Chinese tension balls? A stainless steel abacus? What?”
    Stinson belted out a laugh to confirm Delvin’s ignorance. “Naw, man. A regular toy. Hoola hoop, Slinky. In this place, a toy makes problems light; gives a ray of hope. It brings out the child inside no matter how old you are. Murphy taught us that.”
    Delvin looked beyond their immediate conversation and thought back on that day he wanted to give Murphy a lesson in keeping his trap shut. He remembered, too, how it had backfired on him. “It’s not something I need.”
    â€œIt will be. Good piece of advice. Go ahead, get one for yourself. It’ll do you a world of good.”
    â€œWhat do you