DannyBoyinExile

TDCJ has its share of insects, but the worst ones I’ve encountered have been the two-legged variety: my fellow inmates.
It’s worse for me because I live near the front of one row, which is a congregation spot for people each time they go in and out of their cells, or come back from chow or showers, etc. Sometimes so many people come to my cell, so often, that I wonder if someone has hung a sign outside that says DannyBoy’s Coffee Shop. All day long, guys are at my for, interrupting whatever I’m doing to ask me for a cup of coffee (which we call a “shot” of coffee here), some hot water, a pen or pencil, a sheet of paper, an I-60, some toilet paper, Tylenol – and so many other items that I couldn’t possibly list them all. (Et al, literally!)
One friend of mine asked to borrow a soup, which was fine. Then he needed some hot water to cook it with. Of course, he also needed to use my bowl, since he didn’t have his with him. Next he had the audacity to ask for some toilet paper, to wipe the bowl out with!
I used to be safe from people asking me for hot water fifty times a day, because my hot pot boils (did I say that out loud?), so I can’t leave it plugged in or it will burn up. But my cellie bought himself a new pot, which he leaves on constantly, merely refilling it after each use – so the hot water cafe is open again. I try to be a nice guy, even to people I really don’t know (even to people I really don’t like!), but I find myself being nice far more often than I care to.
And I’m asked for a shot of coffee at least ten times a day. I can’t help but talk trash about it, good-naturedly, of course. “Do you think I have a coffee tree in here? I have to BUY this stuff!”
I really get exasperated when somebody (or two or three somebodies) tell me, “Can I get a shot of coffee from you? I don’t have mine with me.” I’m like, “Man, that isn’t an EMERGENCY! Wait until they roll the doors, and go get your own coffee!”
One guy told me, “My blood sugar is really low, so I need something sweet to eat.” WHAT? You need a DOCTOR, you don’t need my commissary! I’ve heard so many sad stories that I’ve grown immune to them – but I’ll generally help them out, if I can. It even feels good to do so.
There will always be haves and have-nots, and I’m really blessed to have things to the extent that I’m ABLE to help other people out. In a way, you have to give freely to be able to receive freely. I just wish they’d stop coming to MY door to receive something for free! I do what I can, though, and don’t even expect to be repaid. If they’ll give that shot of coffee to the next guy who needs one, we’ll all be better off… So says DannyBoy.