From the Desk of Zoe Washington(55)

I took the change from Grandma and went to the vending machine. I stared at the snack options and wondered what kind Marcus liked best. Peanut butter cups? Sour cream and onion chips? Did he like sweet or savory? Or maybe he was like me, and liked them both at the same time. I finally decided on peanut M&M’s. I put the quarters in and the bag plopped out at the bottom of the machine.

When I turned back around, I stopped breathing and almost dropped the candy. Marcus had come into the room, and he was standing in front of our table, looking right at me. I recognized him right away. His face was the same as in my photo of him, except older, of course, and his cheeks were fuller. He looked freshly shaven. Even wearing his prison clothes, he was handsome.

Marcus smiled really big, and it lit up his whole face. Soon his eyes filled up with tears. He motioned me over, and somehow my legs carried me toward him. He was tall—a couple of inches taller than Dad.

“My Little Tomato. My Zoe,” he said as he stood in front of me and took me in. “I can’t believe you’re here. Finally.”

As soon as I heard him say “Little Tomato,” I relaxed. He sounded just like on the phone, except he was here—in real life. I couldn’t believe it. I smiled back, and I knew we must look like twins, since our smiles were so similar. I wished I could take a picture, but phones weren’t allowed in the room.

There was something I could do. I put the candy on the table and moved closer to give Marcus a hug. He squeezed me tight, and I could smell the detergent on his clothing. Tears started to fall from my own eyes.

After our hug, we all sat down around the table.

Grandma reached over and squeezed Marcus’s hand. “It’s really nice to see you.”

“You too,” Marcus said, and then he looked at Mom. “Natalie, thanks for coming. For bringing Zoe.”

“It’s about time she got to see you.” Mom teared up. “I’m sorry it took this long.”

“It’s okay. I understand.” Marcus looked at Dad and said, “Paul. Thank you for stepping in and being such a great father to Zoe when I couldn’t. I’m so grateful.”

Dad shook his head. “I’m the one who’s grateful. Zoe’s an amazing kid.”

“Well, I’m thirsty,” Grandma said, standing up. “Anyone else? Natalie, Paul, want to come to the vending machines with me?”

I knew what Grandma was doing—giving me some alone time with Marcus. Mom squeezed my shoulder before she and Dad walked away from our table.

Marcus smiled at me again. “How are things? Tell me what’s going on with you.”

“I’m great, especially now that I’m here,” I said. “Seventh grade is good so far. And look, I brought a picture of my cupcake on display at Ari’s Cakes.”

I handed the photo to him and he smiled at it. “Look at that. Wish I could try them.”

“You will,” I said.

“What else’s going on?”

“I’ve been hanging out with my friends Trevor and Maya.” I told him how the three of us started doing more stuff together, and sometimes Trevor’s basketball teammates—not Lincoln or Sean—joined us. Trevor stopped hanging out with Lincoln and Sean, but there were other, nicer guys on the team. Maya and I started going to the basketball games to cheer from the bleachers. I’d bake brownies or other treats for us to snack on during the games.

“I’m so happy that you’re happy,” he said. “I can’t wait to see what your life is like for myself one day.”

“I can’t wait either,” I said.

“When I’m out, we can go to a Celtics game together,” Marcus said. “Have you ever been to one?”

“No, but I’d like to,” I said. “Can Trevor come, too? He loves the Celtics.”

“Smart guy. Of course he can come. Can’t wait to meet him.”

“I told Trevor all about how you play basketball. We can all play together in our driveway. I’ve been beating him at horse lately.”

“That’s my girl,” he said, laughing.

My eyes landed on the peanut M&M’s on the table, and I remembered what I’d been wondering earlier. “Hey, do you like sweet or savory foods better?”

“You know, I like a mix of both. I used to always like eating candy and chips at the same time.”

“Me too!” I said.

We spent the next hour talking about other things we had in common—he liked Hawaiian-ish pizza too! After a while, I was able to forget we were in a prison visiting room.

Eventually visiting hours ended, and we had to say our goodbyes. We gave each other a long hug and I tried not to cry, so Marcus wouldn’t. I knew there’d be more letters and phone calls between us, but what I really wanted was to do this more. To be able to see him in person whenever I wanted, and not within these prison walls.

I had no idea what would happen next, but I hoped with all my heart that the Innocence Project would set Marcus free. In the meantime, I was so thankful that I’d found his letter on my twelfth birthday, and that he was in my life now, where he belonged.





Epilogue


“Happy birthday to Marcus,” everyone sang. “Happy birthday to you!”

Marcus leaned over the Celtics-themed cake, silently made a wish, and blew out the candles. Everyone cheered, and I looked around at all the smiling faces. Mom, Dad, and Grandma. Trevor and his parents. Maya. Ariana and her husband.