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A peppermint candy, 1955


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“My dear son,

 

Are you scared to die? I'm sure whatever answer you gave me would be a lie. You seem so at peace these days. I saw it during my last visit; I didn’t want to tell you, but I could see that you wanted to be gone. I can see it, my boy, and it makes me so happy. May you go in peace, may you rest in peace. Your penance is done, and you’ve paid for your crime. You killed a policeman, and the judge gave you the death penalty. But you’re the real winner in this case. Don’t be afraid; I'm with you. I’ll be there when the guards lie you down on that bed to inject the poison. You should laugh about it, my boy. There’ll even be a crowd there to see you off. The family of that young black policeman you stabbed will be there. Better that way; I need to know they'll be there. It helps me feel peace inside. I couldn’t be at peace if we hadn’t settled our score with that black family.

 

I’m an American, my son. May the state of Iowa’s justice be done. You have to go; it’s better that way. Spending the rest of your days in prison is no way to live. Not much point in all that reading and repenting over and over. Jesus knows you repent. I pray for you. My prayers will make you stronger when the day comes. It'll be just like going to sleep. You’ll feel the liquid creeping through your veins like a snake. And I'll be with you, at peace. I’ll keep an eye on you until the end. It’ll be over very quickly. Done in a flash. I love you, my boy. You’re my second child. I’ll never forget you.

 

They said we can’t come and visit you again until the big day. The countdown is a cruel thing to live with. I just want it to be over  so you can rest in peace here in my garden. I’ll come and visit you every day. Don’t cry my boy, and stay strong like you always have been. The blacks will never take over this nation. Lots of people who are against de-segregation support you. Some of the folks from the Ku Klux Klan came to see me. They gave me a fine cross; I’ll put it in the ground with your name on it. I still can’t believe it. They told me to give you their best wishes, and that they’d keep fighting to the end to ensure white supremacy on American soil. Every day outside the prison, protesters and activists are there with their placards against the death penalty. It’s incredible what’s going on. But all of Iowa has come out to get behind your cause. They scream and shout, sometimes they even sing. Some women even lit church candles outside the front gate. I love you, my boy.

 

I didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving this year. I prefer to just watch the yellow leaves falling from the trees. This fall ain’t like the others for your mom. But I say it again; I need this inner peace before you leave. And don’t forget, when the prison guards ask you what you want for your last meal. No turkey! No cranberry sauce, no chestnuts! Nothing like that. You go out victorious, with a mint candy in your mouth. Ask them for a peppermint candy. That will be your last request; promise me you'll make it.

 

Do you want to know if you’ve been pardoned? A mother always forgives her son, and Jesus always forgives prisoners. His kingdom is for the repented, criminals and sinners. Jesus says in the gospel that there is more joy for sinners in his kingdom than for the righteous. So rejoice, my boy! His word lives. I remember that tattoo of your fiancée on your right arm. She never stops crying in her corner. When I tell you that you’re the real winner, believe me. She’s sad. Between us, nobody wants her now because she was your girlfriend.

 

Stay strong and don’t forget to ask for your peppermint candy.

 

All my love,

Your mother.”

 

He stowed the letter under his bed. Only five days to go. He dreamed about his peppermint candy. That was the promise he made his mother. Stay strong, and suck on a peppermint candy for your last meal. He laid his two hands over his heart and felt happy. He thought of the kingdom full of prisoners. He dreamed of walking there and smiled.

 

Alan Alfredo Geday

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