Truth

her eyes were still the vivid green. Though similar in stature to herself, the prisoner appeared more petite inside her Iowa issued jumpsuit.
    “ Jane, I’m surprised to see you. Why are you here?” Claire’s inquiry sounded amazingly strong.
    “ Have you heard of a pardon?’
    “ Yes, it’s something the president does before he leaves office. Why?”
    “ Because it’s also something the governor does before leaving office.”
    Claire’s green eyes narrowed as she searched for words. “I don’t understand.”
    “ Governor Bosley has cancer. He resigned from office today.”
    “ I’m sorry to hear that. I believe he attended my wedding.” She paused momentarily contemplating the information, “What did you just say about a pardon?”
    “ Claire, he signed a number of pardons before his resignation. The one I came to talk to you about is yours.”
    Claire heard Jane’s words. She tried diligently to process the information, but it wasn’t making sense. Words weren’t forming. Tears were.
    Jane watched as her former client struggled with her new reality. “First, you must accept the pardon.” Jane pulled the paper from her brief case and placed it on the smooth surface in front of Claire. “Once you do, you are free.”
    The prisoner stared at the document before her. She read her name and the charges. Governor Bosley’s signature was present with the official state stamp of Iowa. Only one line remained blank, the line for her signature. When her eyes left the paper and returned to the woman who’d been her defense counsel thirteen months ago, they sparkled with moisture which now coated her cheeks.
    Claire needed reassurance. Too many times in her life she’d been deceived. “Why do I have a pardon… and free … what does that mean? Free as in free, or free as in I must be watched and monitored…” her voice faded into unsuppressed emotions.
    Jane reached across the table and held Claire’s trembling hands. “If you sign this petition, you are free. A pardon means all charges are gone. They are expunged from your record. You are forgiven. You may leave this prison today and never look back.” As the words tumbled from Jane’s lips, Claire’s resolve melted. Her shoulders slumped and head bowed. Sounds didn’t indicate her sobs; it was the shuttering of her shoulders. Jane squeezed her hands. “You may go anywhere YOU want, whenever YOU want. Claire, where do you want to go?”
    Her green eyes glistened as her gaze returned to her counsel. “Where do I want to go?” Claire’s mind spun, it had been so terribly long since she’d control of her future. “I don’t know.”
    “ I guess the first question you need to answer is: Do you accept the pardon?” Jane watched as Claire’s chest heaved. In desperation, the woman in orange attire nodded, words continued to fail her. “Then you need to sign the petition.” Claire nodded again.
    It took some time for Jane to calm her client. Once done, they secured her signature. There was processing to do, but before this day was done, Claire would leave the penitentiary alongside Jane.
    “ When will I be released?” Claire found her voice, although more tentative than before.
    “ I’m not leaving today without you.”
    Claire’s eyes beamed admiration toward her counsel. “What do I need to do?”
    “ Do you have anything in your cell you want to take with you?”
    Claire debated her personal belongings. Yes, there were pictures, letters, research, and some tokens . She nodded.
    “ Then you go back to your cell with a guard. I’ll take this pardon to the main office. They’ll bring you to me in a short time.” Claire continued to nod in agreement. “I have some clothes in case the ones you wore during your arrest don’t fit. They’ll return all your belongings from that day.”
    “ Thank you.” Claire looked down at the table. “I don’t have any money to pay you for your work.”
    Jane thought of the cashier’s check. “Let’s get you out of here, and then we’ll talk reimbursement.” Jane’s smile proved contagious. Claire returned the smile and squeezed Jane’s hands. “Before you go back to your cell, who can I call? Is there someone who can meet you? Someone to take you somewhere? Or do you want to stay in Iowa?” Jane silently prayed her client wanted to leave, and she had somewhere to go.
    “ Where can I go?”
    “ Anywhere you want. Who can I call?”
    Claire contemplated the question. She wanted