The phone rang and Jim picked up, hope welled up inside as the thought of a second chance on the other end of the line filled Jim’s mind. In a brief moment, that seemed like much longer, Jim recalled the journey that had brought him to this moment. “Are you sure you’re up to this?” Charley asked as he stared intently at Jim, “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t” Jim said with confidence and a hint of annoyance at the question. Jim felt he didn’t have any other choice, he grew up in a poor family, raised by a mother with health issues and no father in sight. Jim didn’t do well in school, but not because he wasn’t smart enough or because he didn’t care, but because he had to help raise his brother and sister. Jim had to grow up sooner than what seemed fair. Jim’s mom passed when he was seventeen, the state took his siblings and he was left to fend for himself. “Jim! Are we doing this or not?!” Charley said, Jim shook his head slightly, not to signal an answer but to shake off his thoughts “let’s go” Jim said as he excepted what his life was and had become. The two made their way around to the back of the convenience store. They had scouted the store and knew the back door would be unlocked on Tuesdays before the store opens, to take deliveries. They slipped inside while the delivery driver was in the back of his truck. They were unarmed, they had planned to rob the cashier while the store was closed, they thought this would make things go smoother. Jim and Charley slipped behind a stack of boxes and hid there until the delivery man left. “I’ll do the talkin’” Charley said in a whisper, Jim nodded in agreement. The men made their way out of the storage room and into the store. Sandy was restocking lottery tickets, she stopped for a moment “it’s nothing, just your imagination” she thought to herself. Sandy hated having to work at a convenience store, but in this small town jobs were hard to come by. “Stay calm, turn around, open the register and give me the money” Charley said in a calm but stern voice. Sandy’s legs turned to jelly and a cold chill crawled down her back. Sandy turned around and looked at the men, they were dressed in dark clothing and wearing ski masks. Sandy’s hands were trembling as she reached for the register, the register rang and sprung open. “Possible robbery in progress at the shop n’ go, two men were spotted walking toward the back of the store.” Officer Stanley heard the call come in. “I’m in the area, in route now.” he answered. All was calm and seemed normal as he pulled into the parking lot of the shop n’ go. He parked at the side of the building in order to stay out of sight, as he made his way to the front of the store he spotted the two men standing in front of the register. He decided to make his way around back and try the back door, he found the door unlocked and made his way into the store. Jim whispered to Charley in low, shaky voice “did you hear that? Somebody else is here!” The men looked at sandy and Charley said “is anybody else supposed to be here?!” Sandy only shook her head “no” she was to frightened to answer audibly. Jim’s voice seemed desperate as he said “Somebody’s in the back room, we gotta go out the front!” “Give me that mone..” Charley started but was interrupted by Jim “there’s no time for money Charley, we gotta get out now!” “The key, give us the damn key!” Jim whispered to Sandy in a scruff, demanding tone. “Raise your hands and don’t move!” Officer Stanley commanded in a stern voice. Jim squeezed his eyes together tightly and looked to the ceiling as he raised his hands. “God dammit!” Charley shouted as he raised his hands. The cell doors opened with a metal on metal screech. Jim had spent the last few years calling this 8x10 home. His time in the cell wasn’t all bad, and may have been a blessing in disguise. Jim earned his diploma and a bachelors degree in counseling while in prison. Jim also managed to find his sister and build a relationship with her. Jim was going to stay with his sister until he could get on his feet. Jobs were hard to come by when you have a criminal record. Jim had hoped he would be able to get a job fairly easily because he had a degree. Hope was dashed with each application sent and no reply received. Jim worked a few dead end jobs, but nothing that would pay enough to support him. “Counselor needed at second chance half way house.” Jim read aloud to himself. “Seems like a good fit for me” Jim thought. He applied for the job but with little hope that any good would come off it. “Is this Jim?” “ hello?!” The voice on the other end of the line snapped Jim back to the present. “Yeah... yes, I’m here” Jim said nervously. “ is this it? Is this my break?” Jim thought. “ I’m Patty Wilson, I’m calling from second chance half way House. I have your application in front of me and I think you would be perfect for the job “ “Are you serious? You want to hire me? What about my past?” Jim said both surprised and befuddled. Patty answered “That’s why we think you would be the perfect fit. Your past gives you an insight that others don’t have.” “ I need to interview you, but the job is yours if you want it” “ I did it mom!” “ I made something of myself!” Jim exclaimed to the gravestone, tears streaming down his face.