He smiled. “I’d like that.” He nodded. “How about you give me the cliff notes version?”
“I spent a couple of nights in a jail cell a few weeks back,” I said.
“No way,” he said, with raised eyebrows.
“I was accused of drug dealing.”
“You are fucking kidding me.”
“Nope,” I said. “I was being framed, but we had to have a trial…the whole nine yards.”
“I take it all charges were dropped against you?”
“Of course.” I nodded.
“Damn, you’re right… I need the details,” Paul said.
“I’ll tell you all the details.” I nodded. “We have many more visits to look forward to now.”
Paul smiled and nodded at me, recognizing the promise that I was making to him at that moment. “Anyone special in your life?” Paul asked.
I hesitated. What should I say? I had a girlfriend…sort of? I wasn’t really sure at the moment. “Well… it’s complicated.”
Paul rolled his eyes. “My life is complicated, Phil,” Paul said. “Yours is a fucking dream.”
“I’m actually here with someone.”
“Oh?” Paul asked, immediately interested.
“Her name is Megan.”
“Girlfriend?”
“Well…she was,” I said uncertainly.
Paul looked around the room and caught sight of Megan. “Is that her?” he asked me discreetly.
“Yes.”
“She’s a stone-cold fox,” Paul said. “She’s too good for you.”
I smiled. “I agree…but we’re sort of in limbo at the moment. It’s—”
“Let me guess?” he said, cutting me off. “It’s a long story?”
I smiled. “I’ll tell you about it on my next visit.”
“Fine.” He nodded. “Well, invite her over here and introduce me. You brought her in here for a reason.”
I stood up and gestured for Megan to join us. She looked a little nervous as she walked over, but she gave Paul a beautiful, open smile and leaned in to hug him before he did.
“It’s really nice to meet you, Paul,” Megan said, sitting down next to me. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“I wish I could say the same.”
“Hey, now,” I said, feeling strangely at ease in this unusual situation.
“So, Megan, is this your first trip to prison?” Paul asked.