This Is a Pre-Paid Call

about the parole board update

I was standing in my kitchen on a regular Wednesday afternoon listening to a true-crime podcast with something sizzling on the stove when the ringtone interrupted.

I say hello only to prompt her, that annoying computer lady with her sing-song list of warnings. I have made a fun habit out of preempting her nonsense by singing along—

“This is a pre-paid call from…If you feel you are being victimized or extorted by this prisoner…Thank you for using GTL…”