“You’ll never leave” is carved faintly into the brick wall of the small jail cell, probably from its last guest. Every day, I started to believe the phrase more and more. I lay on the uncomfortable cot, pretending to be asleep. I’m lonely, but I’m not alone. I can hear him breathing and slowly flipping the pages of the newspaper; I assume it’s Mr. Heck Tate. He’s always sulking around his office and rarely goes home.
Everything is calm in and outside the jail, as the town of Maycomb has retired for the night. After being in here for days, I’ve noticed that this nighttime silence makes everything seem more melancholy. More despondent. More lonely. I miss my family and my normal life, even though it wasn’t anything special. Wake up, work in the fields, pretend the rude comments don't bother me as I walk home, go to sleep, …show more content…
Finch?” I hear one of the visitors asks.
I realize the man who had been waiting was not Sheriff Tate, but it was my lawyer, Atticus Finch. Confusion consumes me as I wonder where Mr. Tate is when I need his protection most. Atticus is a compassionate man, but he’s not physically intimidating, with his small size and old age. While I’m grateful for some security, I don't think Atticus’s usual tactics of talking things out will help in this situation. I’m trapped inside the jail cell, and I have no way of defending myself. I feel completely helpless, as the situation is out of my control. I bite my lip as I continue to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“-Called ‘em off on a snipe hunt” I hear one of the men recite. It suddenly becomes clear that this gathering was not a rash decision. This meeting was planned. Something is definitely going to happen tonight.
As I continue listening, I can hear the fear in Atticus’s voice. As a black man in southern territory, I’ve used this voice often when dealing with the white folk in town. His pitch was steady, yet it seemed forced. He is a bit shaky, as he tries not to completely break
Everything is calm in and outside the jail, as the town of Maycomb has retired for the night. After being in here for days, I’ve noticed that this nighttime silence makes everything seem more melancholy. More despondent. More lonely. I miss my family and my normal life, even though it wasn’t anything special. Wake up, work in the fields, pretend the rude comments don't bother me as I walk home, go to sleep, …show more content…
Finch?” I hear one of the visitors asks.
I realize the man who had been waiting was not Sheriff Tate, but it was my lawyer, Atticus Finch. Confusion consumes me as I wonder where Mr. Tate is when I need his protection most. Atticus is a compassionate man, but he’s not physically intimidating, with his small size and old age. While I’m grateful for some security, I don't think Atticus’s usual tactics of talking things out will help in this situation. I’m trapped inside the jail cell, and I have no way of defending myself. I feel completely helpless, as the situation is out of my control. I bite my lip as I continue to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“-Called ‘em off on a snipe hunt” I hear one of the men recite. It suddenly becomes clear that this gathering was not a rash decision. This meeting was planned. Something is definitely going to happen tonight.
As I continue listening, I can hear the fear in Atticus’s voice. As a black man in southern territory, I’ve used this voice often when dealing with the white folk in town. His pitch was steady, yet it seemed forced. He is a bit shaky, as he tries not to completely break