Free A Wonderful Life by Victoria Rexroth Page A

position was something Robert enjoyed, because he was very good at persuasive methodology. It was dealing with Lester that often caused Robert the problems he had with the program; sometimes Lester was just more than any one man could handle.
    “I had a fight again,” said Lester to Robert, which explained why Lester was now in restraints while speaking to him in the institution’s meeting room. Usually, Lester was unfettered and tended to walk around the room while talking. He did not like to move much when there were chains on his wrists and ankles. “They are very mad at me.”
    Robert nodded slowly. “Are you all right, Lester?”
    Lester nodded. “They didn’t like me. They called me names. The big guy threw an eraser at me. Called me stupid. So I hit him. Made him feel stupid.”
    Robert said nothing. Part of his job was not to be judgmental of Lester. He also stopped giving advice, like telling him not to get in fights, because it just wasn’t worth the energy. Lester was going to get into fights regardless of what Robert told him. That was just Lester.
    “Lester, I have something important to tell you,” said Robert.
    Lester’s eyes opened a bit larger than normal. He was not a big fan of change, and whenever Robert said something and said it was important, Lester started to get nervous. “Are you mad at me?”
    “No, Lester,” he said. “I’m not mad at you. But this latest incident of yours is going to cause problems. You are of adult age now, meaning you are now eighteen years old. They have decided you have to take responsibility for your actions now.”
    Lester’s face did not register understanding. “They put chains on me. I know I did wrong. I’ll try not to do it again.”
    “It’s not that simple, Lester. I wish it was. They’re going to be moving you to a different place.”
    Lester just stared, no expression his face. “Where will they take me?”
    “I don’t know yet,” said Robert. “Probably to a state facility. I really don’t know.”
    “You will still come see me?”
    Robert knew this question was going to come, and even though he practiced the answer in front of the mirror a hundred times over the last few months, he was no more prepared for it when the question came. “I can’t. They are not going to let me visit you anymore. They’re taking you out of the program.”
    Lester’s eyes opened wide. And then he started to grow angry. He began shaking in his chair, and he started to stand up, nearly knocking the table over and the chair to the floor behind him. Before he could register his anger, several orderlies rushed over to his table and grabbed him. In less than a few seconds, they dragged Lester away to an inner room of the institution, and that was the last Robert ever saw of him.
    Robert turned the table back over and then sat at it for a few more minutes, just staring at the other visitors who were speaking to other prisoners. He wondered how long it would be before each and every one of them had a similar conversation where things turned ugly. And then he stood up and wandered out of the facility.
     
    Robert sat down at the bar in The Culture House Restaurant and Bar. The bartender was on the other side of the bar, saw him, and then slowly made her way over to where he was seated. “The usual, Bob?”
    He nodded as she poured him a house beer. “Tough day,” he said.
    She just nodded and then stared at him as he took his first sip. She continued staring as he placed the beer glass back down on the house coaster. “And what brings you into our fine establishment?”
    “Just needed a beer,” he said.
    She crossed her arms in front of her and shook her head. “Really? That’s all that brought you here? There are a lot of bars in the city.”
    “But none have a bartender as beautiful as you,” he said, tipping his drink to her.
    No smile came to her face. “Still the same shit from the same orifice.”
    “My job at ESLS ended today. And Lester is