It’s a guessing game

December 23, 2014


Dearest,

I had my first cup of black tea since my imprisonment here. Christopher passed me a few tea bags today after he learned that I ordered black tea long ago and received nothing. This canteen thing is very unreliable. I have to remember what I ordered so I don’t order it again as I almost did today... Anyway, the black tea tasted good. Actually, they gave us four green tea bags so far. I kept two and used two.

All our food (prison’s) comes at the last day of its expiry (like tonight) or one day before it expires, but never soon after production. The baguette bread looks okay when we receive it at lunch, but almost dead (like rubber) after five hours at dinner. We’re supposed to save some of the bread we receive at dinnertime for the next morning.

We got some ravioli (nice name for "yucky" prison food). I had to eat it since I couldn't eat the corn (tasteless and, like the ravioli, in the last hours before its expiry date). Little by little one discovers more problems that need solutions.

I’m trying to have a haircut, but was told that the only solution (not really) is to shave my hair off completely with the razor that we use for our beards. It takes forever to do that and there’s nobody around to help shave the hard-to-reach or see areas on one's head. They have no barbers here (like at the OCDC [Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre]). Let me stop whining and instead enjoy another cup of black tea (from same tea bag of course).

I read your latest letter (arrived today). Strange how they keep these letters for some time at prison before they distribute them to the inmates. I’m not trying to be stingy with writing. I’m only afraid that I’ll run out of stamps and envelopes before I receive new ones. Not sure when my order of envelopes and stamps will arrive.

I have to wait for what I order and the problem is nobody knows what comes what day. It’s a guessing game. The best remedy is to expect to wait for some time before you get what you want. Now I remembered ordering things three weeks ago and I’m still waiting to the point I may not need them anymore.

I hope you got some sense of what we have here. I hear that the story in other parts of the prison is different. So we’re special here and who likes to be like Mr. Normal? I guess nobody wants that!

I started my guessing game about the arrival of the little baby!

I’m just hoping the canteen money I transferred last Sunday has reached the telephone account so I can call you ASAP. I’ll try tomorrow and every day until I get hold of you. I look forward to hearing the baby’s news... He must be a tough one or Jena will be all over him. I guess she’ll be in deep love with him and he’ll love her more since she’ll be his guide to the new world. What a world!

I guess Pascal (one of our group) will be leaving prison soon (if he has not done it yet). We haven’t seen him today at all (unusual). Christopher’s case is moving faster... André got eight years conviction three months ago or so, so they have to move him to another place to spend his time. He says he may be released when he hits his 70th birthday which is in a few months. Christopher doubts it. Jonathan is still in the middle of his case.

Lastly, HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Enjoy them all despite everything!

* * * * * *

Hello Dearest Bulbula,

I always love to draw you but you’re always much more beautiful and wonderful than all what I draw. You are the best, my love.

Still I hope you’ll like this little Jouja! What do you think of it? Do you think daddy will be a professional drawer/painter one
day?

I love you my darling.