James, not Jim

The following is an excerpt from part one:

This time Sid is coupled with a suspected murderer. James, not Jim, is bi-polar. He is also diagnosed with OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder. James has unpredictable temper fl are-ups and engages in unusual behaviors. He picks the tiny lint-balls from the sheet and blanket, and there are plenty of them. Then he proceeds to the floor to retrieve microscopic specks with his fingertips for hours on end.

James is on medication but he does not know what or why, other than for the sleeping pills. He was removed from the meds he was taking for the bipolar condition. Whatever they put him on had destroyed his liver. As is usually the case, Sid gets along fine. That adds fuel to the C/O’s fi re of retribution. On a couple of occasions, James nearly loses it over absolutely nothing. Sid manages to talk some sense into him. “James, this is exactly what those assholes want: for us to turn on each other. This is how you got yourself in seg to begin with. Stop it.” Sid knows, as a matter of psychic perception, that his “killer” companion is innocent of the murder for which he is to be tried. The poor guy has been in for three years awaiting trial. One day Sid tells him to “dump the pills.”

“What are you talking about?” Sid tells him that suicide is not the answer. James has been saving up some of his medication whenever he can get away with it. Two of his biological brothers and his sister were adopted after a tragic family misfortune. They all killed themselves. Sid reveals that he already knows about it. He also discloses the liver problem. James is shocked but loosens up a lot. They build trust and Sid becomes very close with him.