CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR – NEW FRIENDS IN THE JOINT

The woman's warm smile seemed to broaden as she rocked onto her heels in a contemplative way. "I thought I recognized you from the intake photos. My name's Marlene Kemper...but you can call me Marly." "It's...nice to meet you, Marly," Kayla replied, unable to shake her guardedness. "I should probably get going though..." "Oh! Well sure, sure of course," Marly said quickly, waving her hands in a placating gesture. "I can definitely be a yakker if I'm not careful. Just wanted to make sure you were okay after that unfortunate foul ball." As Kayla turned to retreat back to her isolated corner, the other woman spoke up again. "Say...you got any friends here yet? Or at least a crew you're runnin' with?" Kayla felt her shoulders sag wearily. The vulnerability and despair of her situation inexplicably welled up in that moment. "Not really...I'm still pretty new to all of this. Don't really know all the ins and outs yet." Marly pursed her lips thoughtfully as she retrieved her wayward ball