Life On the Outside

Chapter 1

Kenny's POV

I'm sitting in my jail cell looking at the calendar. I mark off another day. It officially marks 5,565 days, 15 years and 3 months that I've been behind bars. I'm 32 years old and I've been in here since I was 17. They didn't send me to juvenile hall, they sent me straight to prison. I've been granted parole so I'm finally getting released today. I was afraid this day would never come and that I would die in here. Originally, I was given a life sentence, but it was reduced due to good behavior. Good behavior wasn't easy considering I had to deal with bullying, assault, and rape while in here. I'm glad it's almost over.

The warden comes and unlocks my cell. "McCormick? You're free to go." He escorts me to get my things, which isn't much. I get the clothes that I had when I first got here, which still surprisingly fit. I also have pictures of my family and one of Kyle. Like I said, I don't have much. "Your ride is waiting out front." The warden tells me.

I head out and I see Karen waiting for me. "Hi Kenny!" She runs over to me and hugs me as tight as she can. It feels nice to be able to see and talk to her without a glass in between us.

"Hey. Are you okay?" I ask her. I know that she was safe while I was in jail, but I was worried about her and how she would get along without me around.

She looks at me. "Are you okay? You're the one that's been in jail for 15 years."

I shrug as we walk out. "It feels so weird. I never thought I would see this again." I tell her as I look around. I was barely allowed to leave my cell so it's nice and refreshing to see the sun and smell the fresh air.

She hugs me once again. "I'm so glad you're out. Are you going to stay with me?"

I nod. "I guess so. I know mom and Kevin don't want me at the house. They hate me…"

"I'm sorry Kenny." She looks away.

"Stop! I made my choices, it's okay."

"I feel like it's my fault."

I grab her and look her in the eyes. "Don't say that! It's not your fault! Again, I made a choice."

"Do you want something to eat?"

I shake my head. "I'm not really hungry."

"Okay, well maybe later." We get in her car. On the drive to her house, we're playing catch up. Well, Karen is doing most of the talking. I'm looking out the window and I can't believe how different everything looks. This place is almost unrecognizable.

When we arrive at her house, we go inside and the first person I see is a young Canadian guy. He turns and glares at me. "You remember Ike, right?" Karen asks me.

"Broflovski?" I smile, man Kyle's little brother has really grown up. "Of course! How are you?" I extend my hand to him, but he's not receptive to it.

"I'm doing well. I would ask how you are, but I'm sure not the best since you've been in jail for 15 years." He glares at me.

"How's Kyle?" I ask. I can sense a little tension so I thought I would change the subject.

"He's fine."

"Just fine? Can I have his number? I would love to talk to him."

"Umm...maybe later. So you're going to be staying here?" He asks and I nod. "I need to go over the rules of the house first."

"Rules?"

"Yes, we have rules!"

"Okay..."

"Rule number 1, clean up after yourself. You're an adult, older than all of us. There's no reason why you can't! Don't even think about eating food you didn't buy."

"That's fine."

"We have a curfew, you have to be in by midnight. If you know you'll be out later than that, you either call and let someone know or stay wherever you are. We lock the deadbolt at midnight."

"I don't think that should be an issue."

"If you break something that doesn't belong to you, replace it! There's no smoking or drinking allowed in the house or on the property. No parties, no company after 10, no incoming calls after midnight unless it's an emergency."

Sheesh, I feel like I'm in jail again. "Not a problem."

"Good. Are you planning to stay awhile?" The way he asked made me feel uneasy.

I shrug. "I'm not sure, I just got out of jail and I don't really have a plan."

He shakes his head in disappointment. "Plan to get a job and start paying rent if you plan to stay for more than a month!"

"I'll take care of his rent Ike." Karen tells him.

"This isn't jail, you won't be living here for free! Are you sure you feel safe with him living here? I don't think Filmore or Flora do."

Karen rolls her eyes. "That's my problem, not yours. Come on Kenny. I'll show you my room." She takes me upstairs to her room. I'm proud of my sister, she's living in a house that has stairs. We never had that luxury growing up. I'm even more shocked, when I see the size of her bedroom! It's bigger than our old house!

"What's his problem?" I ask about Ike.

Karen shrugs. "That's how Ike always is. Don't worry about his "rules", no one listens to him."

"Who put him in charge anyway?"

She laughs. "He put himself in charge. Like I said, no one listens to him."

"I'm sorry you have to live like this."

"He doesn't bother me. Most of the time, we're working different schedules so we barely see each other."

"What about your other roommates?"

"They're great. We don't have any issues."

"That's good."

"Are you sure you're not hungry?"

I nod. "I'm sure. I don't think Ike would take too kindly to me eating the food here since I didn't buy anything."

Karen frowns. "Don't be ridiculous! We do our own grocery shopping so you would be eating my food! Besides, I was going to take you out to eat."

"You really don't have to do that."

"It's the least I could do. You've been through so much."

"You're giving me a place to stay, you've done more than anyone else has."

"I'm going to help you apply for jobs tomorrow."

"Thanks, I don't even know where to start. I have the feeling potential employers will see my record and reject me."

"Someone will give you a shot. I'm sure of it."

"We live in an unforgiving world."

"Don't be so negative. It will work out." She smiles.

"I hope. I really don't want to stay here longer than I have to. Ike really rubbed me the wrong way."

"Ignore him. You're not here for him."

"Yeah, but if I have to listen to that shit-"

"You don't!" Karen interrupts me. "Stop worrying, everything will be fine!"

"I hope so. I should call Cartman so we can catch up." Maybe I can get Kyle's number from him since Ike wouldn't give it to me.

"Now? You just came home."

"I know, but he's the only person, besides you, that called or visited me in jail. I wouldn't know who else to turn to."

Karen giggles. "That still surprises me."

"Well most people don't want to be associated with a jail bird."

"Stop…"

"It's the truth."

"You're being too hard on yourself."

"It hurts most that I never heard from Kyle."

"That's because you pushed him away."

I shake my head. "I just told him not to wait for me. He still could've come to visit."

"I'm sure he had his reasons."

I raise my eyebrow. "Do you know something I don't?"

Karen shakes her head. "Honestly, no. I haven't kept up with Kyle."

"His brother is one of your roommates, how is that possible?"

"Ike isn't close to Kyle nor does he talk about him. Sorry Kenny."

"It's okay. I'm sure we'll cross paths eventually."

"Yeah. Well I know I sound like I'm beating a dead horse, but are you sure you're not hungry?"

"I promise you, I'm not."

"I am and I'm going to get something to eat. Do you want to come with?"

I shake my head. "No. I'm not ready to go out and about yet. I'm just going to stay here, if that's okay."

She smiles. "Of course it's okay. I want you to feel comfortable."

"Thanks. I'll see you when I get back."

"See you." She leaves. I really don't know what to do to keep myself occupied while she's gone. Maybe I'll think about what it's going to be like when I reunite with Kyle…