August 7, 2015

Chapter 33, Page 309-310—A

“Okay, fella,” the hack escorting me said, “you ready to go?”

“Yeah,” I said, smiling, “let’s go.” I threw my hand up and down in one quick salute of good-byes and followed the hack down the long echoing hall. Then I saw a solid sight I’ll never forget. There in the corners, by the steps, some with brooms in their hands, others on make-believe errands or mopping, but all waiting to say good-bye, were my people, my con buddies, my con brothers. As I walked toward the cell-hall gate that led to the outside, from either side of me and from their places in the corners and by the steps, their hands went up. My throat felt dry and my knees trembled in sudden longing for them and the familiar green bars and gray walls and blue hacks. But only for an instant. I moved through the long hall that led to the outside. A tthe front desk my property was returned to me—papers, books, music, and poetry I’d written; diplomas and old undelivered letters, many from Trina. I was handed some money—my accumulated savings from my 10-cents-a-day wages—and told to count it. The chaplain was there. “Well, good luck, Piri,” he said, “and God bless you. You’re going to make out fine.”

What was Piri doing?

Who did Piri see on his way out?

What was returned to Piri?

What did the chaplain say to Piri?

Chapter 33, Page 309-310—B

“Okay, fella,” the hack said, “you ready to go?”

“Yeah,” I said, smiling, “let’s go.” I threw one quick salute of good-byes and followed the hack down the hall. Then I saw a sight I’ll never forget. There in the corners, all waiting to say good-bye, were my people, my con brothers. As I walked toward the gate that led to the outside, their hands went up. My throat felt dry and my knees trembled. But only for an instant. I moved through the hall that led to the outside. At the front desk my property was returned to me—papers, books, music, and poetry I’d written; diplomas and old letters, many from Trina. I was handed some money—my savings from my 10-cents-a-day wages. The chaplain was there. “Well, good luck, Piri,” he said, “and God bless you. You’re going to make out fine.”

What was Piri doing?

Who did Piri see on his way out?

What was returned to Piri?

Chapter 33, Page 309-310—C

“Okay,” the hack said, “you ready to go?”

“Yeah,” I said, “let’s go.” I threw one quick salute and followed the hack down the hall. Then I saw a sight I’ll never forget. There in the corners, were my con brothers. As I walked toward the gate that led to the outside, their hands went up. My throat felt dry. But only for an instant. I moved through the hall that led to the outside. At the front desk my property was returned to me—papers, books, and poetry I’d written; old letters, many from Trina. I was handed some money—my savings from my 10-cents-a-day wages. The chaplain was there. “Well, good luck, Piri,” he said, “You’re going to make out fine.”

What was Piri doing?

What was returned to Piri?