Dear Diary,
I poured my feelings into my last letter. I waited to hear back from you. A month has gone by now, and I’ve gotten nothing back. I think that’s the longest we’ve gone without speaking in the last three years. It’s as good an answer as any, I guess.
Forget I ever wrote that, then. Let’s go back to the way things were before.
I’m back at school, at least for the next two weeks, and fully recovered now. Then we’re off for Christmas break. We’re all studying pretty hard for the US Medical Licensing Exams Step 1 that we’ll be taking at the end of the school year in May. I’ll go to Tore’s house for a few days to spend the holidays with Lou and Boyan, but I’ll probably stay most of the winter break at my apartment downtown to avoid too many distractions.
Tore is planning to take the kids on a trip through Quebec after Christmas. I wish I could go with them. Unfortunately, I can’t waste the time traveling right now, despite how much I’d love to.
How’s your reading up on Japan coming along? Anyone on your cell block giving you any trouble?
P.S. We got a location on our person of interest. Tore and Vinny are in planning mode. It’ll take us a little bit to move on this and get the information we need, but don’t worry, good things come to those who wait. Next holiday season, you’ll spend it at home with Tore, Vinny, the kids, and me. I promise. I’m about to make good on another part of our bet.
Ainsley,
My absence last month was nothing more than circumstance with a little stint in solitary confinement. Think nothing of it.Nothing has changed between us. Nothing ever will. It’s for the best.
I know you will do great on your upcoming exam. I have full faith in you, in all things. I look forward to you accomplishing your promises.
It is a shame you are not going with the kids. I visited Quebec City about ten years ago. It is beautiful this time of year with its Christmas markets, festive decorations, and snowy streets. Try to go in the future. You might like their traditional poutine and tourtière dishes.
I lost interest in the book. For now, I have put it aside. I am sure you can understand.
Take care of your health, no matter how much you study. It is not worth getting sick again.
Sincerely,
Renzo
VICTORY
It’s official! They’re going to reopen the case.
Micah’s testimony is getting overturned! A few more months and you’ll be out! We did it! I almost can’t believe it after all this time. I told you we could do it! I told you!!! Prepare to be free!
Now
Chapter 28
Ainsley – twenty-two / Renzo – thirty-five
Theprison’shighfencerattled shut behind me as I tilted my head back and sucked in the foggy air. My first breath of freedom in a long time. Hard to believe it had only been seven years when it felt like a lifetime. I glanced around.
The parking lot was quiet. So empty. So wide and open, it jarred my senses. It felt wrong.
Tore grinned at me, teeth on display, and tugged me into an embrace. I almost flinched away—a prison habit—and caught myself at the last moment. He swung us around a bit, squeezing tight, and laughed.
“You’re out. We did it!”
I forced a smile. His excitement was overwhelming. It somehow seemed to overshadow mine. I was the one stuck in a six-by-eight-foot cell for seven years, not him. I was the one constantly watching my back, working deals, fighting, negotiating with little worldly contact, while he lived free. Why was the triumph and elation I felt this morning, while waiting for my name to be called to sign the release paperwork, so insignificant compared to his reaction?
I unshackled myself from his embrace and held him back at arm’s distance, enough space to avoid the swipe of a shank. It was never a good idea to let someone too close, friend or foe, especially out in the open like we were. Anyone could stab you in the back with enough incentive.
“So, how does it feel?”
I tittered at the simplicity of Tore’s question because there wasn’t an easy answer. Elated, relieved, maybe even a little anxious to be out, conflicted as to what I’d find on the outside, bitter at the years stolen from me, wary of what lay beyond my carefully crafted prison persona, and cautious of betrayal. There was no one specific emotion for me to settle on.
I tugged on my suit lapels, then slipped my right hand into my pants pocket again to fist the fabric. It gave me something to grab onto when nothing else was available. Why was it so damn quiet? Even the sound of traffic and honking, insects and birds chirping, and the far-off buzz of construction were nothing compared to the daily noise I’d grown accustomed to.
