Summary

In Chapter 1, Tara Connelly prepared for her release from the Taconic Correctional Facility. She packed her things and said goodbye to her cellmate Jeannie, with whom she had become friends. Tara’s sister Geraldine “would be waiting” for her outside, as her brother Eddie could not pick her up (1).

Tara served 18 months at Taconic on a drug trafficking charge. She had smuggled stolen pills for a dealer named Roland Shea across state lines. She had not wanted to go to prison, but had survived the experience and made unexpected friendships while there. Saying goodbye was harder than anticipated (2). When the guard, Linda Morelli, led her down the corridor, Tara started worrying about her future with her siblings back in Port Chester.

Morelli escorted Tara to Receiving and Departures. Tara filled out her release paperwork. Then the receptionist said someone wanted to speak to...