Page 77 - The Houseguest

FRIEND REQUEST
Brian had been given a website address to check his status in the Houseguest Program. He felt a newfound confidence as he walked into the computer room at the shelter. Many terms he’d heard strewn about were now familiar to him and he was beginning to feel more comfortable and positive about acclimating into 21st century society. When there was interest in his profile, he would be issued a cell phone and other amenities. Apprehensively, he logged into the website and clicked the “activities” link. He likened the feelings he was experiencing to a child anxiously anticipating interest from possible adoptive parents.
He found the roster of names and quickly determined there had been no activity recorded on his profile. Perhaps he needed to spruce up his profile. He realized quickly, it would just be a waste of time; there’s no way to sugarcoat time in prison. While the DUI’s can be justified by his ten years of sobriety, one cannot simply excuse a kidnapping and sexual assault. “I come from a broken home.” “My father was an alcoholic.” “I was abused as a child.” Lame justifications, he thought. No one cares, no one ever has...with the exception of Laura.
Thoughts of his sister flooded his mind once more as he was reminded of her Facebook presence. He logged on with the ID and password he’d created yesterday. He saw a number 1 inside a red bubble and curiously clicked on it never having seen a Facebook notification. It was something called a “friend request” and it was from Laura Gabels. How had she known he had looked her up and scanned her Facebook page? Had Facebook somehow aligned their names, and other information
77
The Houseguest by Linda Ellis www.LindaEllis.life