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***Lucia Monica Fabien***

Today is when I get out of prison. Finally I will see something other than this so unpleasant and smelly place that has sheltered me for the past few years. 10 years ! My God 10 years to pay for a crime I didn't commit. In 10 years so much can happen. I lost all of my youth. Today, I am 33 years old. So it's a whole different generation out there.

For me, it's certainly a new life that begins, but I don't really know what to expect. But it will surely be better than staying locked up, I try to convince myself. When we've been that for as long as it had been for me, the slightest thing can amaze us.

My lawyer came to wait for me at the exit. As soon as I saw him, I went to throw myself into his arms. It's all thanks to her. It could be seen on my face that I was happy. How not to be elsewhere? I didn't expect to be able to step outside so soon. I have 15 years left of my sentence.

Together, we are distributed from there by car. I looked back as the car pulled away. It's crazy how life can change from one minute to the next. I thought to myself that I would never set foot in such a place again. But is it really a place where we plan to meet?

Along the way, Lisa and I were chatting to pass the time.

- I really don't know how to thank you master. You have been my guardian angel through all this hell. I will be eternally grateful to you for getting me out of this. I owe you a big debt.

-Really my beautiful, there is nothing. You can call me Lisa now that we're out of the lawyer-client frame. We're friends now, she said with a smile on her face. And friends call each other by name and use familiarity.

Friend is a big word. Since that tragic day, no one had treated me so well. Everyone turned their back on me. Even my sister... my own sister. Surely she didn't want to be tied to a delinquent like me. One thing is certain, if God put this good fairy on my path, it should be for a good reason.

-Really thank you May... Lisa, I rushed to correct myself. You were that branch that I held as I was about to sink into nothingness.

She put her hand over mine, giving me a big smile.

-And now that you're out of prison, what do you think you'll do? You will have a probation officer. Do you at least know that? It is he who will be in charge of controlling your social reintegration. It's like a godfather. You will have appointments with him every month. He will assess you and draw up a disciplinary report.

- Yes yes, I was told about it. I will meet him in a week for the start. And from what I understand, he must also find me a job, no.

-OK. But you didn't answer my question. What are you planning to do with your life? You were a nurse before... she stops on the way.

I took a very deep breath before responding to my new friend. What should I do? Here is the big question. Would I know myself what I want to undertake?

-Before going to prison, I had put some savings aside. I'm going to get myself a house first. And we'll let you know later.

-If I understand correctly, you don't have a plan yet? You can always come live with me. You know, I live alone. It's not super big, but there's enough room for the two of us. That way, you could use your savings to do some lucrative things.

I must admit that I was little embarrassed by so many solicitudes. I certainly did not expect such a proposal from him. I'm not used to being taken care of so much. For someone to be so considerate of me was brand new. And I didn't know what to answer. Which is for sure, I didn't want to bother the lawyer any more than I already have. But how to tell him without offending him? She goes to such lengths to help me.

-It makes me so happy that you want to help me. Sincerely, I thank the sky for having put you on my path. But please don't worry about me Lisa. You have done enough. Besides, I would like to do it myself.

-It's OK. I completely understand you and I respect your decision. Even if I would have liked you to accept my proposal. You know you can always count on me if needed. For anything. You call me and I respond immediately.

-Understood.

I had preferred to spend the night at the hotel. So she took me there to a cheap one. I told myself that I would go get the money afterwards. It was Lisa who settled the reservation. I thanked her and she left.

A week has passed. Today I meet my probation officer. As agreed, the latter found me a job in a hotel. I will be a maid while waiting to regularize my situation. It's not what I expected. But, better little than nothing. That said, I have not yet said goodbye to my nursing profession.

-You can start whenever you want.

- Thank you, Prosecutor.

- I'm not prosecutor Lucia.

-Ah! I did not know.

- It doesn't matter... Don't forget what we said to each other, Lucia. You are a good person. I like you. But, please, avoid doing things that can get you in trouble. And we meet here in a month.

- It's okay, I'll be very careful sir.

I returned to the hotel where I stayed. Now that I'm back in civilization, I should be ready for this new beginning. As they say: new life, new beginning... New commitment, new resolution. But first of all, I have to find myself a house.

As she had already offered to help me, I called my friend to help me find a good real estate agency. I thought about it and found that it should be faster that way.

The next day, the latter brought me to the agency in order to be able to make my choice. I took the opportunity to pick up my money where it had been hidden 10 years earlier.

We had to visit several studios before deciding to take one in a remote area of ​​New York, Queens. More precisely in Rego Park which is in fact one of the districts of Queens. Although very small, this studio is very well equipped. It's not really top notch or to my liking either. But, as my budget did not allow me to go further. So I had to settle for a working-class neighborhood. But whatever. What matters is that I will be home soon. I won't have anyone to come and break my balls. Saying it, I really meant it. But there reality was quite different.

-Would you like me to help you settle in? To do something else, maybe?

-Don't worry Lisa. I don't have much to bring to my new home. Anyway, it's furnished. We will finish quickly.

-Well then. I am leaving. I'll pick you up tomorrow to take you shopping. You have to change this old mother look.

-But it's...

-Don't say no Moni, she's cutting me off. You don't have to refuse everything I offer you, not from God. I do it wholeheartedly, believe me. And you'll need some new clothes for your new job. Save a few pennies. You never know how the future will be.

I understood that I was not going to be able to refuse Lisa again. So I decided to accept.

-It's OK. You're completely right. But let's not go too hard all the same.

-OK. I'm going, said Lisa. See you tomorrow. Take good care of yourself.

After my friend left, I began to store the little money I had left in a safe place. This money should not disappear as if by magic. After that, I lay on the bed for a while. A moment to rethink the turn I would like to give to my life. I was so afraid that my reintegration would go wrong. Usually people are so reluctant when they find out you've been in jail. All I wish is for it to be different in my case. And for that, I am ready to do what it takes to make it happen.

When the evening arrives, I get ready to sleep, wishing that tomorrow would be a better day. I know that now my life is going to change a lot. I just hope I have the strength to make it happen. I didn't come out of jail to live just anyhow.