by Doris Miller
It is a year later. Teresa is looking in the mirror fixing her clothes. The telephone rings. Teresa goes to the telephone and picks up the receiver. She speaks into it and says, “Hello?”
“Hey Teresa!” Diane D says.
“What's up Diane?! How's it going?!”
“I got great news Teresa!”
“You do?! Well what is it?!”
“They're gonna let Dana out of prison!”
“They're gonna let Dana out of prison?! What do you mean they're gonna let her out of prison? She hasn't finished serving her sentence yet!”
“I know! They're gonna let her out early!”
“They're gonna let her out early?”
“Yeah! She’s gonna be on parole.”
“Dana’s gonna be on parole?”
“Yeah!”
“That’s great Diane! That’s real great!”
“I know! My grandparents got a call from the lawyers and said the judge is gonna release Dana from prison due to overcrowding!”
“Due to overcrowding?! Oh really?”
“Yeah!”
“Oh that's wonderful Diane! I'm so excited to hear about this! Does Tony knows about this yet?”
“Yeah he already knows about it! My family called him up as soon as we got the news! He got so excited he couldn't control himself!”
“I bet he couldn't! So when is Dana coming home?!”
“They're gonna let her out by next week.”
“Next week?”
“Yeah. The prison got to get all the paper work together. They're gonna call my family back the day before Dana is released then my family's gonna pick her up as soon as they bring her from Upstate.”
“Oh that's great Diane! I'm so happy to hear this! We gotto make sure Dana doesn't get into anymore trouble again!”
“I know. Listen Teresa, Michael and I are getting ready to head to the organization. I'll catch you later on this evening.”
“Okay Diane! I'll see you then! By!” Teresa hangs up the telephone. She turns towards the doorway and shouts, “Hey Joseph! I got great news!” Teresa hurries towards the doorway and heads out into the hallway.
The following week, Diane D, Michael, Tony and Diane D's entire family and relatives, including Dana's parents, family and relatives from Jamaica are at Gracy and Mike’s house excitingly surrounding Dana as Dana sits there in a chair with a can of beer in her hand. “Nice to have you home again Dana!” Gracy says.
“Thanks Grandma,” Dana says.
“We all got something special for you Dana!” Christine says.
“Yeah Dana!” Diane D says. “We're gonna celebrate your homecoming tonight!”
“Homecoming?” Dana says.
“Yeah!”
“We're gonna call up Teresa and Joseph later on so they can be here for the celebration too!” Tony says.
“Come on Dana,” Christine says. “Let's get you out of these prison clothes and put different clothes on you.” Christine, Diane D and the rest of her family excitingly take Dana out of the chair and take her away upstairs.
Chapter 9
Controversy At The Dance Studio
