Chapters 6-10 Summary

Tracy is led into the cell that she will share with three other women. She befriends a black cellmate, Ernestine Lirttlechap, who she learns is the real power broker among the prisoners. At suppertime, Tracy doesn't want to go to mess because she's not hungry. But Ernestine tells her she must go or face punishment by the prison guards. Afterwards, undressing for bed, the other women remark on her beautiful body and all she can think about is her child. All night, Tracy finds it impossible to sleep because she is fearful of an attack by the other women. Finally at 3 am. she dozes off and awakens suddenly to find that the is, in fact, the victim of a gang assault and rape. Afterwards, she goes to the infirmary where she is treated for her cuts and bruises and where she...