I never really thought I'd say this: I miss my brother.

What? Anne, I didn't know you have a brother!

Yes, I do. Eddie (he's an "Edward" and goes by "Ed" now, but that's hard to remember 'cause he was always an "Eddie" to me....plus, my father's an "Ed"...) is 5 years younger than me. He's been in prison since he was 16 years old. It's been long enough that I'm actually hazy on the details of the offenses but I do know that Ohio's mandatory gun sentencing was invoked. He was up for parole in 2006 and it was denied---and at that time, I was grateful; the person I knew and the one I heard about from my Mother wasn't really someone who was ready to try to re-integrate into society. The challenge with entering prison so young is that the prison environment tends to "freeze" the prisoner's mental growth and maturity at that age.

Well, I must change my position now. My Mom's been talking to my brother by phone (they are collect calls he places... and that's a wonderful little game MCI has going!) and she's really enjoyed it. She's also a lot better about getting letters out to him than I have been. Mom was down for a one-night visit to help me out with packing and cleaning---and yes, she was amazingly (but not surprisingly!) helpful! She received a call from Eddie while she was here and passed the phone over for me to say hi to him.

It's the first time I've spoken to him since before my son was able to walk---that's got to be 13 or 14 years! I thought I'd just say, "Hey brother! How you doing?" and we'd talk for two minutes and I'd hand it back to Mom. Ha.

First of all, it's a collect call. Then, there's the most annoying recording which comes on the line and says, "This call is coming from an Ohio Correctional Institution and may be recorded or monitored." In the space of 15 or 20 minutes, it'll happen between 2 and 3 times. Then, there's another recording which says, "You have 60 seconds remaining in this call." And finally, "You have 10 seconds remaining." I can't help but feel all the recordings are also with the clock still ticking!

We went through 4 or 5 calls last night and another 4 or 5 tonight. I think each call is something like $20---isn't that a $1 per minute, if they are 15 minute calls? Why is MCI getting so much money for being the only provider of collect calling from the Correctional Institution(s)?

Okay...moving forward...

The calls were.... amazing. Some time in recent history, he's managed to grow up and start thinking about the real world. That sounds cold and harsh and I don't mean it to. He's like a dry sponge, soaking up anything and everything he can. He's interested in computers and is considering pursuing work in that direction when he gets out.

I can't tell you everything we talked about 'cause we bounced from topic to topic. We talked books and movies, we discussed the internet---which he's never experienced! We talked about stars and climates, psychology, his health and mine. We talked about our screwed-up childhood and how we're both working on just "letting go"... *grin*

My kid brother---I've always wanted to say those words with pride---is literally bursting with ideas and thoughts. He hasn't tasted pizza in 16 years. He's not seen the night sky and stars in 16 years.

And suddenly, I find myself wanting him to be awarded parole. And to be paroled to Randy and me, so we can help him with all the technology that has changed over the years. My Mom would take him in less time than it takes for the heart to beat---but I've wanted her to come to Arizona too. Who knew I'd become a "family person" after all these years?

I had to stop and write about this 'cause it was just so damn amazing (and yes, I know I keep repeating myself!). I can't wait until we're settled in Arizona and can set up calls from him to me, instead of burning up my Mom's minutes with him.

Now, I have to grab a quick bowl of chili and then finish packing the boxes which surround my desk---I'm quite literally buried in a pile of boxes! We're getting close, as far as packing is concerned but we've miles to go before we rest!