THE JUDGE gives Tommy the maximum, just like he said. Gary gets off with five years’ probation and time served. When Patty hears this, she calls Donna. “We’re sorry,” a recorded voice answers. “The number you have reached is not in service at this time. Please check that you have dialed the number correctly.” “Fuck you!” Patty says, like it might get through anyway. She’s twenty-seven, meaning she’ll be fifty-two by the time he gets out—if he makes parole on the first try. There’s no time off for good behavior like in other states. Her mother’s only fifty-one, and look at her. Patty can’t imagine him wanting that. When she goes to see the lawyer about their appeal, he shows her a Department of Corrections map of the state with all the different locations. She’s surprised at how many there are, and the different kinds. Because it’s murder, Tommy will be assigned to a maximum security facility. The lawyer points them out, marked with black triangles like state parks.
