Part 2, Chapter 14 Summary

Elaine writes the Governor for clemency. She has reference letters from Helene Holohan, her GED instructor, Officer Knox and Officer Jennings. Each letter explains how Elaine has matured and will contribute to society if she is released. A parole officer even visits and inspects Yvonne's home. Elaine waits and waited, but a letter of denial finally arrives devastating the entire family. To make matters worse, Elaine's sister Sabrina tries to drown herself by weighing herself down with canned goods and jumping into the river. Luckily, she is pulled out of the water and taken to the hospital.

Elaine now has two grandchildren (one by Apache and the other by Jamel). The children again make the trip to the prison for Christmas, minus Yvonne who is too sick to travel and Jamel who is in Attica prison). Another inmate at a nearby...