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"Pen" Therapy

Freedom Day...DON'T COME BACK..

12/27/2018

25 Comments

 
​The dormitory phone rang and I could feel it, this was it. He hung up and immediately the Officers yells “ Apparicio…pack up and carry your stuff to the B Building.” The day had finally come, 1,095 days of being incarcerated had come to a close. After being up seemingly all night, push-up after push-up, thought after thought, it was finally Freedom day. As I walked through the yard for the final time I can hear the shouts through the iron-barred windows, “Congrats Dre, DON’T COME BACK.” I look and realize this is the day I no longer had to call this 4 building hell-hole home. The air seemed to lack oxygen, thick and dense. As I entered the building, I felt as if people could hear my thoughts and feel my emotions, but I kept walking. “Stop right there!” an officer shouted, bringing my feelings to a peak. “Where are you headed?” “Home.” I replied, showing him my pass to go to the front. “Aahh Freedom day” he stated, “DON’T COME BACK.” As I went through the final processing, finger printing, signatures, uncomfortable conversations with officers along the way who decided to get their last jabs in for me as an inmate; my thoughts began to come at a slower anxiety-filled pace and it really, truly hit me that it was time to go. I was handed my $40 and a metro card as promised by the state, not a gift, being that you began to work towards that months before you go home. I turned to another individual that was being released and asked how he was getting home. He stated he would be taking the bus and that he didn’t care if he had to walk or crawl, he was leaving. My sentiments exactly. As I laughed, I told him he wouldn’t have to do either while simultaneously handing him my metro card and $40. He thought I was joking at first, but after further assurance we began to part ways and my final words to him were “DON’T COME BACK.” As I watched his eyes light up, I couldn’t help but think ‘did he really understand I meant that whole heartedly?’ Walking out was like a scene from a movie, everything appeared to slow down, the sun was brighter, air was fresher, I saw a bunch of cars in the parking lot. As I looked to the sky and thanked God for keeping me these thousand plus days, I fell to my knees and kissed the ground. Cliche’, I know, but it just felt so right. I thought to myself ‘what a wonderful feeling.’ I stood up and instantly noticed one of the civilians that worked in the prison smiling at me. “Hey congrats, there is a really pretty young lady waiting for you, stay strong, and stay focused, and most of all DON’T COME BACK.”
25 Comments
Tenesha Range
12/27/2018 09:19:24 am

I love this! Keep up the great work you truly inspire me!!!

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Andre
12/27/2018 10:30:23 am

Thank you and I hope to continue to work and inspire as many as I can.

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Carlene Bryan
12/27/2018 09:32:40 am

The is amazing!!! I love all that you have done and all that you will do. Keep it up dre I'm proud of you

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Andre
12/27/2018 10:35:42 am

Thank you. I always appreciate your kind words and promise to continue to strive.

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Sandra Loftin
12/27/2018 09:33:56 am

Well son you know how I feel about this, but to read it as it was replaying in your mind and your heart, it's awesome. I love this first of many writings you have to come whether from you or the people you are helping or have helped. I would love to hear more about how other individuals felt that day they were leaving, was it similar to yours ? I will be looking forward to the next one. Great Job

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Andre
12/27/2018 10:37:07 am

Thank you mom and yes I am opening a platform for people to be able to speak their mind. Love you

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Chani
12/27/2018 11:16:42 am

This is a beautiful testimony. I know you have come a very long way. I am very proud of you and all you have accomplished.

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Andre
12/27/2018 02:16:57 pm

Thank you and i appreciate all the love and support for real. Hopefully we work in the future with a film.

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Rho,C
12/27/2018 11:22:14 am

This was beautiful. Kind of haunting, kind of hopeful — Can’t wait to read more. Will there be other release stories? Big tings; always proud of/awed by you.💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

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Andre
12/27/2018 02:18:20 pm

Thank you it just the beginning. I am going to go through many scenarios and hope to get others stories up there.

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Felicia
12/27/2018 03:01:02 pm

This is good keep it up you can writer a book. Im happy for you.

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Andre
12/27/2018 09:00:00 pm

Thank you and the short book is up next.

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Kay
12/27/2018 05:51:34 pm

I know that feel all to well, very well written.

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Andre
12/27/2018 09:00:50 pm

Thanks love

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Cookie
12/27/2018 08:04:04 pm

Wow, Dre felt like a scene from the movies, but I thank God you understood the sentiment of those words "Don't Come Back." But you are going back to be that microphone platform for the unheard voices. Many do not know what goes on even after they "see" it or "hear" it, it takes so much more and God has blessed you with that purpose. #liveonpurpose #itsaprocess lots of love and blessings to this platform (sorry for the paragraph) lol🙂

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Andre
12/27/2018 09:02:40 pm

The paragraph is just fine some people try to shorten what needs to be said. I will continue to use my voice to attract and build though

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Jessica Gonzalez
12/27/2018 08:13:32 pm

This is great!! So much voice within this read. I could sense and feel everything! Congrats and keep it up!! You're destined for greatness!

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Andre
12/27/2018 09:03:52 pm

Thank you.... short book coming soon. Thanks for all your support.

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Nadia
12/27/2018 11:16:44 pm

This is very touching. I honestly thought I was reading a book. Very well written. Loved every bit of it. Keep up the good work!!!

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Andre
12/28/2018 08:55:42 am

Thank you and look out for the short book coming soon.

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LuLu
12/28/2018 05:10:41 am

Great insight & very inspirational. You are the change that people need to hear about. It’s raw, real and your absolute truth. Awesome !

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Andre
12/28/2018 08:56:55 am

Thank you and I always hope to inspire all. #ChangeAgent

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Veolla Loftin
4/2/2019 02:09:56 am


Dear Andre:
I am at awe of what you have accomplished since you have been home. You are moving at a pace that I can only dream of. But I know you have places to go and people to help and I am sure you will reach them at that set time. You are an amazing young man, you are my grand son but I have to stop and pinch myself sometime because things are moving at a pace I can hardly imagine. I tried to relive that happy day with you in my head as you left that place we all hated so much to have to visit you and then had to leave knowing you were still there. But my Father is so good. He kept you safe because He had a mission for you,. Now you have walked into that position and I want to be a part of your life as you journey further than anyone has ever dreamed. God kept you for this season, He hid you for a reason, and now that He has released you to go forth, I know you will run this race and help sister and brothers who has been waiting on a person like you to get them on the right path and help them until they can stand on their own and start living a meaningful life again. Andre, go forth and do the work of a warrior. You are awesome.

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Angie
10/6/2020 01:59:14 am

I cannot believe this was my first time actually checking out the website. (I'm ashamed) Nonetheless, I can't tell you enough how proud I am to call you a friend. Your story is so powerful. I appreciate you for always sharing your story and staying in your truth despite all the odds that were thrown your way. Thank you for your courage and strength. Thank you for giving others a real second chance at a restored life, as well as offering a safe space.

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Suga Ray link
2/6/2021 12:36:17 am

Amazing expression of an experience so many have but are unable to articulate. I've been there. Same sentiments. Saluteeeeeeeeeee brotherrrrr!!!! Thanks for staying free and helping others get free too! Always love. Keep it going! WHERE'S THE BOOK?? #ItsAProcess #TransformAmerica #TogetherWeRise

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