Love Letters From the Grave(21)
‘So, Two Four Nine. Your day has finally come.’
Charlie’s grin reached from ear-to-ear. ‘I haven’t been Two Four Nine since the first few weeks I was here. How did you remember that?’
‘You were easy to recollect … Charlie.’ It was the first time he’d ever called him by his Christian name. ‘Just a kid, and yet so determined to be good. Me and the other guards – well, we always took a little extra care to look out for you. We’re all so happy that you’re being paroled.’
‘Finally getting rid of me, huh?’
‘Exactly,’ said the guard with a wink, then he opened the door to the warden’s office as he had done so many times before.
Warden Kelly rose as they entered his office. ‘Do you know what, young man? I think we can do better than sit around this table yet again. Why don’t you both walk with me to the staff cafeteria for breakfast.’
‘And I don’t have to serve it?’ joked Charlie.
‘Not this time,’ said Kelly. ‘Son,’ he added.
Several tables had been put together to accommodate the group which was joining them for the farewell breakfast, which included Sister Brighid, Justin, Cecil, Father Hannity, four other guards, and six other prison employees.
Before sitting down, Charlie went around the table to shake hands or hug all of them. As they enjoyed a very delicious breakfast, conversation centered around Charlie's impending marriage, his new job (he told them that, of his two offers, one in a printing firm and one in engineering, he was leaning toward working in the manufacturing plant) and most of all his relationships with those sitting around the table over the past two decades. Charlie felt as though he should probably try to rush through it, to speed up his exit, but instead he wanted to savor every last moment with these people who had so affected his life.
Before too long, however, Warden Kelly announced that he was ready to escort Charlie to the prison's processing center, where he would begin the routine of departing the prison. As he left, Charlie again made the round of hand clasps and embraces, telling them all that he would visit with them from time to time in the future.
Sister Brighid held his hands between her own. ‘I’m coming with you and the Warden, Charlie,’ she said tearfully, ‘and I’ll stay with you through the entire out-processing procedure.’
She escorted him to the exit door, where they were met by Warden Kelly brandishing an envelope.
‘This contains a letter of recommendation and a list of references.’ He shook Charlie's hand even more firmly than earlier. ‘It’s been a pleasure to have known and worked with you, young man. I consider my success in helping you get your parole approved to be the greatest accomplishment of my life.’
As the warden opened the door, Charlie said a final goodbye to Sister Brighid, who gave him a warm hug.
Finally, he stepped out of the prison for the first time in nearly twenty years. Every cell in his body seemed to be shaking, and for a moment he had to stand stock still, gathering himself together.
Then he walked forward.
Waiting to greet him were Muriel, Muriel's mother and brother, and his favorite aunt. The five of them got into Muriel's mother's car, and Aunt Edna announced that she was treating them all to a meal at her favorite restaurant to celebrate his release.
On the way to the restaurant, Charlie opened the envelope Warden Kelly had given him, to discover a four-page letter describing his activities and accomplishments during his confinement, as well as endorsements from Father Hannity, Sister Brighid, four of his other teachers and instructors, three guards, and four other prison officials. He passed the letter to Muriel who read it and, in turn, passed it around to the others.
‘How does it all look to you, Charlie?’ cried his aunt, fairly giddy with the joy of being able to take her favorite nephew out for lunch for the first time since he was a teenager.
Charlie was amazed by the sights he was seeing on the way to the restaurant. He couldn't believe the changes which had taken place over the past 20 years. ‘It’s … it’s like a completely different world to what I remember. The automobiles, the buses, the street cars. Good Lord, even the way the people are dressed. I’m going to have to learn how to knot my own tie! The streets, the buildings and store-fronts, everything … it’s all so different. Was it really only twenty years I was in there?’
They all laughed, but then Muriel’s brother reminded them of how much had changed. ‘The world is a whole lot different now, brother. There’s been a war all over the globe, remember? You kind of missed it.’
‘Not for lack of trying,’ said Charlie, and they all laughed again.
What Roger had said was true, though. This was a different world, a totally new home for Charlie. It was thrilling, as well as daunting, and he was gradually becoming excited about taking his place in the outside world, hopefully as a family man and a productive member of society. He stared out of the window as the strange new landscape rushed by, holding onto Muriel’s hand as if it were a life-line.
As scheduled, Charlie and Muriel were married the Saturday following his release from prison. Because Charlie was Catholic, and Muriel and her family had no church affiliation, they agreed to have Father Hannity perform the wedding ceremony in the Catholic church near Muriel's mother's home. Attending the ceremony were six members of Muriel's family, six of her friends, and nine officials from the prison, not counting Father Hannity, including Sister Brighid, Warden Kelly, and seven others. Warden Kelly’s wife also attended. Except for Aunt Edna, none of Charlie's relatives agreed to come.