Summary

In Chapter 9, “Howie,” Howie goes “before the Parole Board,” doubtful that they will listen to his story (163). He explains why he attacked Brother John, and the abuse he and the other students suffered at Brother’s hand. Ten days later, he learns that his sentence has been discarded and he will be released.

Howie gets out of Mountain Institution and heads towards Agassiz. Along the way, he thinks about his family. A cop pulls up next to him and insists on driving him into town, as his ID is expired. Howie pretends he is meeting cousins at the Holiday Inn, where the cop drops him. Afterwards, Howie cashes his check from the Mountain and visits Two Jays Café, where a kind waitress tells him where to find a cheap room.

Howie returns to Two Jays for breakfast. He and the waitress, Connie, talk...