“I’m here in regard to the check you received from the Conner family.” My body freezes for a moment at the sound of Gabe’s last name. “You haven't deposited the check you were given. I thought maybe you lost it, so I brought you another.” He holds out a check and I glance down at it. I don’t even want to touch it.
“I still have the check,” I tell him as I take a step back and let him know I don’t want it.
“Then have another.” He walks towards me and his hand comes out further, holding the check up for me. “Take the check, Elizabeth.”
There is a warning tone in his voice and I reach out and do as he asks. I’m scared of what would happen if I didn't. “Cash them,” he tells me before he walks back to his car.
He stops when he gets to his door and looks back at me. “If you know what’s good for you you’ll cash the checks and stop the calls,” he adds before he gets into his car and drives off.
I stand there for a moment gripping the stupid check in my hand before going back inside. I lock the door and set the alarm before I put the check on the counter. I’m not going to stop with the phone calls until an innocent man is released from prison.
I’ll cash the checks and put the money into the bank, but I’m going to make sure it’s spent doing some good.
Seven
ROCCO
I’ve been getting a letter from her every day and the anticipation of each one kills me. I have to force myself to wait until the end of the day so that I have something to keep me going. I wanted to tear into each of them the moment they came, but I figured out if I waited until night time I could savor them before I fell asleep. Then in the morning when I read them again it was almost as if I dreamed about them, dreamed about her.
The one that came today had an entirely different feeling to it. It felt heavy when I held it in my hand and it wasn’t just the weight of the envelope. It felt like this one was important and I made sure that I didn’t open it until lights out.
I look through the bars and a small shaft of light comes through. I hold up the envelope and look over it as I trace each letter with my finger. It’s like she’s writing more than just my name. It’s like she’s tattooing her need to talk to me into the paper. Maybe I’m reading too much into it because I’ve never had someone write me letters before. But this is the most intimate I’ve ever been with someone and she has no idea what these letters do to me.
The paper is delicate, so I open it carefully and then take out the letter. Immediately I see a picture included, but I steel myself and decide to read her words first.
* * *
Dear Rocco,
I know I’ve sent you quite a few letters since the first one, but I remember being away from home for camp when I was younger and seeing everyone so happy when they got letters. It made me realize I could do the same for you. It’s different putting it on paper now, but somehow it feels like more. Maybe that’s just on my end because I’m doing all the writing and spilling my guts about every little thing, but it makes me feel like we’re not alone.
You probably have lots of friends coming to visit you or waiting for you to get out, but the truth is that most of the time I’m kind of lonely. I do really like my neighbor Mrs. Honey. Remember me telling you about her? She’s the older lady that likes to tell me about her daytime soap operas and makes me treats when she’s up to it.
Anyway, I’m super nervous about this letter because I’m including a picture. You mentioned that you didn’t want to see me scared and I thought this would show you how I’d look at you if you were here with me now.
I hope to hear from you soon, but if not it’s okay. I enjoy writing to you and if one day you change your mind about letting me visit you then I’ll be there as quick as I can.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I passed the exam I told you I was so worried about last week. Mrs. Honey quizzed me and I think that really helped. I’m so close to finishing. I can’t believe graduation is right around the corner!
I hope you’re doing okay and that you’re keeping your chin up. I’m still working on calling the state offices and just being an overall pest to them. It’s the only thing I can think to do, but if you know of another way I can help, let me know!