aaron_the fall of america_chapter_52

Chapter 52

They weren't kidding about solitary confinement. I saw no one for four hundred turning outs of my light. That might have been days but I had no way of knowing. My food supply, for each period of light, appeared each turning on of my light. There were no utensils and if there was any warm food, which I assumed marked official holiday celebrations or reward for good behaviour, it was in an edible bowl.

When the light was out in my cell and I could hear nothing and only smell my own rank, I would often slip back to my cell on Karna's planet. I missed it. I missed also the hope that something might happen if I was determined to go on.

I was near the end of all awareness on the day they moved me from my first cell to my second. Though I could only see a small patch of sky out of it, there was the unparalleled joy of an outside window. My meals were brought to me by a human that sometimes managed a grunt at me if I had made a few pleading grunts.

I begged him, whoever came, for paper and pen. I begged for months before I was presented with a pad of paper and a pen. I wrote small so that I wouldn't have to ask too soon for more.

My teacher was my first visitor. He came while I was executing push-ups.

"I see you're keeping in shape, Aaron," he said through the slots in the thick glass.

"I've got plenty of spare time."

"Yes. I suppose it’s like a holiday here."

"Not exactly but it has some advantages."

"Don’t have to worry about being hit by a car."

"That and other things. But I wouldn’t mind being out again."

"Aren’t you surprised to see me?"

"Alive, you mean?"

"Um."

"I was a little surprised at court."

"Do you know how long I've been out of my wheel chair?"

"I don't get much news in here."

"Three weeks. I can walk with a cane for the rest of my life. But don't think I'm sour. I hold no grudges. In fact, I got you transferred to this cell with a window. I have arranged to have you prepared to be removed out of solitary confinement. You can receive visitors now. And I will one day get you out again."

I watched his eyes to see if I should believe any of what he was saying.

"And do you know why?"

"No."

"Because I like you."

"I often sensed that in my training."

"I miss that. I don't teach anymore. I can't in my frail condition. I'll never be as strong as I was. But things are changing anyway, Aaron. In the spring of next year there will be a free election."

"That's progress."

"We were a part of it, Aaron. I have no illusions about you liking it or me but still I feel proud that we were a part. I know you will never learn to like me and that makes me admire you all the more. I'm sure you've heard it said that the ends justify the means."

"I've heard many things."

"Yes, we all have and it's hard to know what to believe."

"Nothing."

"I wouldn't go so far."

The guard told my teacher it was time.

"I will see that you get out as soon as things can be arranged. You likely won't see me again, but one never knows, so you can thank me now."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Don't mention it."

He left. I wondered why he bothered with me and if he was telling me the truth. It's hard to know about people. I didn't even know his name. I was only convinced I knew mine because he had used it.

I could look forward to talking to people again. If they took me out of solitary confinement, I would be able to talk to fellow criminals. That might not be as good as being on the outside but it would be far better than being alone.



talba of content



by Joanne B. Washington

© 2001 | the jose wombat project