Lee’s face remained neutral, but his voice lowered slightly. “Today, yes.”
The new cell had a small window near the ceiling. Through it, Gavin could see a thin slice of sky.
He stood beneath it for a long time.
Five years on death row had taught him not to trust improvements too quickly. A better cell could be temporary. A kind word could vanish. Hope could be given in a cup so small a man emptied it in one swallow and found himself thirstier than before.
Still, there was sky.
And sky was not nothing.
Later that day, Chloe came to visit.
This time she wore a blue dress and carried a notebook pressed tightly to her chest. Denise walked beside her, but Chloe entered the visitation room first, her steps steadier than before.
Gavin stood when he saw her.
“Hey, peanut.”
“Hi, Daddy.”
They were allowed to sit close, though an officer remained near the door. Gavin noticed the officer was not one he recognized from death row. He also noticed the camera in the corner had been adjusted.
