I’ll Become the Sea Read Free Page B

you.”
    “Outside world treating you all right?”
    “Yeah. Sure. Did you get those books I sent you?”
    “Yeah, thanks for that. The library here stinks. I shouldn’t say that, I know, since it gets me out of the grind, but really. It’s all thrillers.”
    “You don’t like those, for an escape sometimes?”
    He shook his head. “You know me. I like history.”
    “Well, I’ll send more of that then.”
    “Thanks. So, how are you? How’s school?”
    “Oh, it’s good. My students are getting antsy. Spring fever or something.”
    “You’re not in any trouble, are you? I worry about you, with those kids. In that neighborhood.”
    “They’re just kids, Dad.”
    “Yeah, but you know what I mean. Aren’t you always telling me how they fight all the time?”
    “Not so much anymore. They’re getting better.”
    “Look. I’m glad you’re helping them. Doing your part. I always said you were a sweetheart, always worried about everyone else’s feelings. I knew you’d do something positive with your life.”
    “Thanks, Dad.”
    “Still. You have to be careful. Don’t go hanging around after dark, don’t go to anyone’s house to visit. Keep your distance.”
    “There’s only so much distance I can keep. They’re my students. I see them every day.”
    “Yeah. Well. Just don’t let them get you into a corner or anything. Them or their parents. They’re fine people, I’m sure, but you need to watch your back.”
    “What do you mean?”
    He lowered his voice, leaning closer to her over the table. “You know what I mean. I’m no racist, but there’s another standard of behavior and you know it. Why do you think there are so many black guys in this place?”
    “You’re in this place too.”
    He sat back in his chair, gave her a look. “Yeah, and why is that?”
    “Dad.”
    “All right, fine. We won’t talk about that.”
    “Tell me about your month. How’s everything been?”
    “Ah. What can I say? It’s the same routine every day. One thing I can tell you, when I’m out of this place, I will never, and I mean never, wait on line for anything again.”
    “Sorry, Dad.”
    “Yeah, what do you want? No sense complaining. Doesn’t change shit.”
    “How are your meetings going?”
    “Fine.”
    “Are they helping at all?”
    “Helping? With what? Not like I could drink in here anyway.”
    “Yeah, I know. But I mean with the underlying…”
    “Oh, now don’t start with that ‘underlying’ bullshit. You sound just like them.”
    “Who’s ‘them’?”
    “You know. These people with their chips and slogans. I don’t know, Jane. It’s not for me.” He watched her face for a moment. “Don’t get me wrong, though. I’m going. I go every week, like I’m supposed to. Couple times a week.”
    “Okay.”
    “Okay?”
    “Yes.”
    “Your mom coming to visit tomorrow?”
    “As far as I know, yes.”
    “You staying with her tonight?”
    “Not staying. But I’m having dinner with her.”
    “It’s a long drive to be making twice in one day.”
    “I know. I just have a…a lot of grading to do. A lot of school work. I have to get back.”
    “Well. I appreciate you coming down here and seeing your old man. Like I said, I always knew you were a good egg.” He looked off into the distance, drumming his fingers on the table. “Listen. About that. Your mom probably mentioned it. My parole hearing? It’s coming up in a couple months, I think.”
    “I know, Dad. That’s…great.”
    “Yeah. Great. Thing is, the wife, of the…His wife. She wants to bring her kid, make some kind of a statement. To the parole board. About how they should keep me in here. Like I’m not rehabilitated. As if she’d know. Anyway. She wants to be there, and in order to do that, she had to make this what they call an open hearing. Meaning anyone can come. Not just me and the committee, but anyone. His family. My family. So I wanted to ask…”
    “Yes?”
    “Would you come? Along with your mom.