Prayers were strange things. At least, in Matt’s eyes.

Ever since he’d been told that he’d be staying in prison for a lot longer than he’d been expecting, the only thing that could get him through the days without going stir crazy was to kneel down in front of the window, bow his head, and have a talk with the man in the clouds. His thoughts and prayers were like emails to the big man, telling him to keep his friends and family safe. To watch over Kennedy, and to make sure that he would get to see her soon, so he could tell her that he wouldn’t be out for a while yet.

And for once, his prayers were answered. He’d been yelled at by one of the guards to get the fuck off of his knees and go to the room where prisoners got to see their families. Matt wasn’t going to get a personal meeting with Kennedy for a long time, but now all he had was the telephone that let him talk to her and the glass that he could see her through. When she was younger, she would crawl up onto the table and press her hand against the glass.

When he’d press it back, it would be almost like they were holding hands- and every time he swore he could feel her presence with him.

Ignoring the glares that the other prisoners gave him, he slipped into the third booth, staring back at the empty space on the other side. He didn’t know who would be coming in to see him today, but whoever it was would be pissed- and probably wouldn’t have Kennedy with them.
But he was proven wrong on both accounts.

The door on the other side of the glass was pushed open and Kennedy ran in, jumping up on the chair and grabbing the phone so she could talk to her father. Behind her was Brian, who looked a little red eyed and upset, but on the whole alive.

“HI DADDY!” Kennedy yelled as soon as he had picked up the phone on the other side and he smiled, waving at her. He’d missed seeing her infectious energy, and for the first time in just over a week, he grinned and pressed his hand up against the glass- just like their little tradition had always stood. Kennedy pressed her hand up against the glass as Brian sat in the chair, lifting Kennedy off of the table and onto his lap, but never letting the little girls palm disappear from the glass.

“Hey Princess. I missed you so much- were you good for Uncle Brian today?” he said happily, acting like nothing had happened.
As Kennedy began to talk, he watched as Brian’s eyes travelled over the black eye he had, the split lip and the various cuts and bruises over his face- but he didn’t say a word. Just sat back and silently judged him.

“Uncle Zacky was home today, and he said we have to hug Uncle Brian extra hard because he got su…supend…supended!” Kennedy stumbled over her words, but even Matt could understand what she was trying to get at.
“Princess, give the phone to Uncle Brian for a moment, OK? I promise he’ll give it back in a minute” he asked and Kennedy handed the phone to Brian. As soon as his ear had touched the machine, Matt cried out,
“You got suspended?!”

“Let me explain” Brian said coldly, and Matt wasn’t sure if it was coldness towards him, and every stupid thing he’d done in prison, or if it was towards whatever was happening.
“I told my class I was gay. They went home and told their parents. Some of their parents- who are die hard Christians- told the principal. They suspended me on grounds of my sexuality, because apparently a gay man isn’t qualified to look after children, but a some straight jerk is!” Brian growled into the receiver, and Matt sighed. How was Zacky coping- Brian always got violent when he was angry. He could guess that it involved a lot of sex.

“Well they can’t do that! There’s no law against teachers and their sexuality- if anything their breaching your basic rights by suspending you from your job. You need to get yourself a lawyer, brother, they're out of their minds!”

“That’s why I came to you. I remembered what you told me last time I was here. How…you were reading all these books about law. How you were so interested- and how you wanted to become one” Brian leaned forward, a sudden hope filling his eyes as he stared at his old friend, hoping the message would become clear.

“I need you to help me. I spoke to the guards, and…I’m paying for a tutor to come and teach you. Twice a week as part of your Rec time or whatever. You will get that law degree in the time you have left here, and maybe you can help us win this case” Brian said softly, and from the reflection of the glass, Matt could see the guard approaching. His time was almost up.

“Of course I’ll help you. I’d do anything for you- you’re my best friend. Let me say goodbye to Kennedy” Matt whispered and Brian smiled, handing the phone to the little girl on his lap.
“Princess, I need you to do something for me, OK? I need you to look after your Uncle Brian, and Zacky and Jimmy too until I get out OK? I need you to keep hugging Bella at night and I want you to get Grammy to show you how to pray, so you can pray with me. Will you do that?” he asked and she nodded, pressing her hand up against his on the glass.

“When do you get to come home, Daddy? Is it soon?” she asked and he could feel himself tearing up at how hopeful she sounded that he would be with her soon. He glanced over at Brian, who already knew he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and then nodded.
“Soon, baby, really soon” he promised softly.
“I love you Daddy” she whispered as the guard put his hand on Matt’s shoulder and he stood up, waving over at his daughter.

“I love you too Kenney” he replied, a tear slipping out of his eye and down his cheek as he was led away from the booth he’d been sat in. As he walked, he passed by Tuck, who was talking to another man and a little boy on the other side of the screen. Was that…?
Tuck was wrenched away and the two of them were put side by side as the guards prepared to take them back to their cells. They walked in silence for a moment, until the guards turned their backs for a moment, and Matt looked over at the other man.

“Was that your son?” Matt asked Tuck and he nodded, letting his long hair fall in front of his face.
“Yeah. His name is Alex. You’re daughters name is Kennedy, right?”
Matt nodded.

“She seems like a good kid. I…I didn’t mean what I said. The other day. I know how it feels to want to be there for your kid, but instead you’re stuck in a prison cell” Tuck whispered. Matt didn’t say anything, but there was a moment before Tuck said anything- and before he was led away, Tuck said,

“And I know how it feels to have a wife disappear, just like that"