Legend

Two nights before Day is scheduled to be executed, he dreams about a memory he had with his brother, John. When Day is nine and John is 13, they are “play[ing] a game of street hockey” (271) when Day accidentally hits a passing policeman with their wad of paper. The policeman “whips [Day] across the face” (273) with the handle of his knife, and although John and Day’s mother both try to intervene and de-escalate the situation, the policeman demands a bribe in exchange for not arresting Day.

Day’s mother gives him all of their money, and the officer also demands the chicken she saved up for. Once he has left with their food and money, John reprimands Day, ordering him to “never fight back” but to simply “do what the officers tell you, and don’t argue with them” (275). John says that “[he] would rather die than see them hurt [Day]” (275), and when Day wakes up from his dream, he wonders if John’s words are prophetic.

The day before Day is scheduled to be executed, June agrees to go to a movie with Thomas to “make sure [she] keep[s] Thomas feeling good about their relationship. No need for him to get suspicious” (276).