The Inmate

by Freida McFadden

It’s because of one of the inmates in this prison. Someone I knew a long time ago, who I am not eager to see ever again. But I can’t tell that to Dorothy. I can’t reveal to her that the man who was my very first boyfriend is an inmate at Raker Maximum Security Penitentiary, currently serving life without the possibility of parole. And I’m the one who put him here.

I don’t quite understand how you can love somebody so much, yet so frequently want to throttle them.

And I can think of a few other reasons why he would be scared about starting school after what happened back in Queens.

The problem with your kid getting older is they know there are some things you can’t promise.

I close my eyes and I can still see his ruggedly handsome face. His eyes looking into mine. I love you, Brooke. That was what he said to me just a few hours before he tried to kill me. And that’s not even the worst thing he did.

Tim was the one who bought me the snowflake necklace I always wear. He got it for me for my tenth birthday,

I never saw the face of the man who tried to kill me. The power was out that night and everything was pitch black. But I knew Shane very well. I knew the feel of his body. The smell of him. I knew it was him. It had to be. Because if it wasn’t him, I have made a terrible mistake.

Tracy Gifford is the girl who was found dead over the summer. Obviously, none of us have been on a date with her. But then Tim raises his cup. And he takes a drink.

Sometimes people do exactly what you think they’re going to do, and they still manage to disappoint you.