“Can you get word to someone for me?”
She exhaled loudly.
“To my doc. Doc Thomas in Troublesome Creek. Tell him they’re going to give me an abortion and sterilize me. Maybe even a lobotomy. Please write and ask him to help.”
“I’ll try, kid,ifya promise you’ll eat.”
I took the tray and bit into the cold bologna sandwich.
“All of it.” Waldeen slipped her palm inside the slot, groping for mine. “They miss ya, kid. Miss theirBook Woman.” She gave my hand a squeeze before slipping away.
I suddenly realized I missed them more. They had given me so much light. Marigold, Geraldine, young Odette, Emmeline, and Sassyann—the women locked in cells darker than my isolated one. With an aching heart, I finished the meal and tried to steel my courage.
The next morning, I paced the cramped hole, pausing when I heard footsteps. At times, my mind played tricks on me, the darkness sliding in darker thoughts.
When the slot finally opened, I held my breath, hoping it wasWaldeen.
“Breakfast, Lovett.”
I grabbed the tray and waited. A women whispered, “She got word to your friend. Telephoned him yesterday morning.”
Then she was gone.
For a minute, I sat on the cot, flabbergasted. That Waldeen would use her one weekly telephone privilege on me filled me with gratitude and hope.
Hope.Would he come? Could Doc get me moved to the city hospital again, where the babe would be safe?
I stirred the bowl of oats and then set down the spoon and picked at the cold toast, staring at the door.
I had to believe Doc would get the pardon he’d been working on.
Twenty
The fourth day in isolation passed, and still no word.
No Doc.
When Waldeen showed up with dinner, I thanked her several times for her generosity.
“Did he come, Waldeen?”
“Didn’t really see him, but I overheard some scuttlebutt that they sent him packing before he even made it into the administration building.”
I slumped against the door. “Did Doc say anything else on the telephone?”
She hesitated a few seconds. “He was somewhat confused and insisted you’d already had the procedure. I tried to tell him it was a lie to keep him off Warden’s back. He said to tell ya he’s still working on your pardon.”
“I have to believe he won’t give up.”
“Listen, kid, don’t count on it. I didn’t want to give ya false hope. I’ve had plenty of politicians slide between my satin bedsheets, and know they ain’t gonna go out on a limb to help someone who can’t help them. To him, your backwoods doctor is just one notch above a granny woman. If that. And if this ol’ gov does grant one for ya, they’ll label him soft on crime. If he denies it, well, he’ll get caught up in the civil rights mess that’s been brewing.”
“But…”
“It’s a no-win for the gov either way. Nice as he may seem on the surface, you’ll not get nothing but penniless promises from money-eyed, climbing politicians.”
“How much longer do you think they’ll keep me here?”
“I’m not sure.” She lowered her voice more, causing me to strain to hear. “But you’ve caused quite a ruckus. Forensics and Geriatrics are protesting your lockup and done went on a hungerstrike. Sassyann too. They’ve had to send two in Geriatrics to the hospital. Mind ya, as much as it’s eased my kitchen duties, the place is in an uproar. Warden is still livid. Guards have been grumbling that even they want the Book Woman back.”
