Page 6 (1/1)

Silence

Was she gone? "Sandy, you still there?"

"Are you convicted yet?"

"I was afraid you'd hung up"

"The longest conversation withup?" Her voice had softened solasses, yes or no?"

"Glasses? Yes, ah no, I don't think so"

"I rest ht past me on the street Sos you should just know about your sister That's a stretch for you isn't it?"

"I'm sorry Sandy, but there are years between us It's not like ere joined at the hip"

"But, I thought ere at least friends Don't you get it? We were born friends You just don't want to connect withto ive you? How about I just forget you?"

He said nothing

"I know you're in a deep hole down there, and I don'tthe one now in trouble didn't escape her; she realized she was being too tough Nevertheless, it was unfair of him to ask "I can't leave, Ray to screw it up"

"You're right, don't screw up your job So upbeat, she said quickly, "Hey Rayht for you down there Bye now, I'one"

"Wait! I know I've been a lousy brother and don't deserve your help, but there's no one else"

"I'll phone you at Christmas," she said

The line went dead

Ray sat on his bunk tossing the silent phone froainst the wall What rong with hi? So she's out of it Couldn't blame her

Was there someone else he could call, someone he hadn't screwed up with his indifference? Certainly, no one down here, probably no one up in Philadelphia either Sounded pathetic when he thought about it He didn't think of himself as friendless He ell liked by his co-workers and wasn't unsociable It was just that he enjoyed his solitude and didn't spendabout friends Friends just appeared in his life from time to time They happened, he didn't seek them out

He stared at the other bunk in the cell The bulk of a s there dead drunk, on his back snoring with his head hard against the wall "Looks like you also could use a friend I don't know anyone else in your da himself The man didn't stir