Someone is trying to wake me, I see that it is 3:30am, and he is telling me that Mr. Campos is asking for me. I quickly get down from my bunk, and head down two cubicles to see him. He is drenched in sweat, and is having trouble breathing. I head to the main door of the Glasshouse and try to notify the officer without waking others that are sleeping. There is no emergency button besides a fire alarm. The officer is sitting in his station about 100 feet directly in front of the glasshouse. It is dark so we use the lit screen of a tablet and wave it. The officer reacts to it and rushes over, opens the door and we guide him to where Mr. Campos is.
Mr. Campos was taken to the hospital last night, and now he is in our prayers hoping he is doing okay. Back to bed I go.
I am awake by 7:11, knowing there is no rush to get out of bed, as I was told we would be locked in for institutional needs. By 7:45 I hear the officer yelling “LOCKDOWN”, so I put my head back down and relax for a bit while listening to the news on the fourth television. It is almost lunch time, we are still locked in, and I am frustrated as I watch and listen to the briefing in Congress of the assassination attempt on President Trump, listening to how much was known in advance and nothing was done to protect him. Now to get dressed in case they let us out for lunch. I alert Mr. Rivero to get ready and we get called to lunch.
As soon as I returned to the unit, I drop off Mr. Rivero and I head up to say hello to Counselor Cornavaca, he mentions he is planning to do orientation next coming Tuesday in the chapel so I am ready. I tell him that is no problem, and he shows me a few forms that I helped three guys file. They were all responded to and so I took them with me to give them to their owner, and explain the responses they received. They were all very thankful, because now they feel more certain about their concern.
I head to my cubicle, grabbed my psychology course booklet for my class, “Preventing Violence” and water bottle then left the unit quickly over to the chapel before the move ended. I am accompanied by Mr. Escudero as he wants to see a movie in the personal televisions. I set him up and get things ready for the 1pm Rabbi volunteer that is scheduled. Thankfully my psychology course is in a class room next door to the chapel, so I walk right over as soon as the time came.
Today the topic in this class was about emotional violence, and the group shared several instances amongst each other, and helped one another understand how to avoid it going forward. Our assigned Psychologist Miss Campos is very patient and understanding with us, which helps in getting through the several courses we have successfully completed with her. The 2pm move came around, so I head right on back over to the chapel, get everything in order, Mr. Escudero signs out in our DVD log, and we head back to our unit so the Chaplain could escort the volunteer back to the lobby.
Mr. Rivero is laying down on his bunk, he sees me looking in through his window, so I step in. He tells me to be patient, the food will be ready after count. He is making chicken ramen soup for the both of us. I head back to the Glasshouse and sit down to watch some news on the television as they are constantly covering the hurricane that is heading north through the Gulf of Mexico. The officers come by to count, and once they finish, I head back to my chair until count clears.
The Glasshouse door gets unlocked, I have my Melinda’s hot sauce in one pocket, and a sleeve of saltine crackers in the other, headed to Mr. Rivero’s room. The food is still not ready, so I grab a seat and we talk for a little while as we wait for the food to cook/heat in the large sealed bowl, sitting in the sink with hot water for the next few minutes. Time to eat, but Mr. Rivero says he is not going to eat until later, that he wants to shower first, but he says for me to sit and eat, not to rush. I clean the bowl and spoon, and go back to my cubicle to grab what I need and head to the chapel. Tonight is Spanish Christian Bible Study from 6-7pm. As I sat to wait for them, I tested and connected two extra speakers hoping for better sound when we watch movies on the big screen. The sound is so much better, I can’t wait for the next movie so everyone can hear the difference. No one showed for the service, so Chaplain Estrin and I head out at 7pm. I arrive at my unit and head to the phone and call Miss Yoshikay in Lima Peru. Miss Yoshikay became possibly my best girl friend after working close with her for over a year when I worked with Quanta Services Latin America, as their Facilities Maintenance and Installations Manager. Whenever I came across a problem at work, Miss Yoshikay helped me resolve it and whenever she came across a problem, I was there to help her resolve it. We always maintained a healthy and professional relationship, and to this day we remain close friends, just waiting for the day I am released and could hopefully work with her once again.
Spoke with mom and mima an hour ago, and just now got off the phone with my sister. Lockdown is in the next 4 minutes, then it will be time to shower, and sit down for some television before count time, then sleep time.
I pray this evening for the medical team that is caring for Mr. Campos wherever he may be admitted, that they are able to stabilize him and get him to where he needs to be in his health. I pray for my family, friends and loved ones. I pray for those in the path of the hurricane. I ask God that you do whatever you need to do Lord to keep everyone safe, and guide that hurricane. Thank you Lord for all you do and I ask for a positive day tomorrow. In your name I pray, AMEN.
Eduardo L. Valdes
02499-506
September 26, 2024
22:17
