Two years crawled past with monotonous rhythm of prison routine. Ral turned sixty, body deteriorating from inadequate healthcare and accumulated stress. Marcus had been released six months earlier after serving twenty years, leaving Ral without his primary protector in prison hierarchy that constantly shifted and reformed around new threats.
"Parole hearing scheduled for next week," guard announced. "Second attempt. Board will review your file and progress since last denial."
This time Ral prepared differently. No rehearsed answers, no strategic performance. Just commitment to continue honesty that had failed last time but felt more authentic than manufactured reformation narrative.
Maya's latest letter arrived three days before hearing:
*Dad,*
*I had my parole hearing last month. The
