The topic of just how long they would have to stay in jail always brought the discussion to a sad ending. The reality was that it was possible they would be in prison for another twenty years. To young men in their twenties this prospect was horrifying. While other young men their age were starting families and building their careers, they were stuck in this place, for “one stupid mistake,” as Debby often said, concluding with “it’s just not fair.” The prospect that they might not be free until they were in their forties was daunting.

And so it went for several years. One of the reasons Tony was able to change and grow was thanks to the regular visits from Joe Hamilton, Carolyn’s father. He knew the boys from coaching them in baseball and, as a man of faith, felt it was his obligation to visit them and, by his presence, let them know that someone cared about and forgave them. He visited each of them and encouraged them to find the strength every day to get the most out of life, despite their situation, and never to give up hope, because miracles were always possible. Both Tony and Danny appreciated his visits, and even Danny, who was usually uncomfortable talking about his feelings, would sincerely thank him for coming. Mr. Hamilton never failed to bring each of them a few copies of Sports Illustrated, and they would pore over these pages again and again.

Then one day that miracle Mr. Hamilton had been talking about happened. They each received an identical letter from Kevin Grant. Yes, the very same Kevin Grant whom Danny had clubbed in the head, whose pregnant wife had been shoved to the floor, whose parents’ house they had robbed, and who had spent a month in the hospital and another year recovering from the wounds they had inflicted.

He wrote that after years of hating them, he had come to the conclusion that the only way he could be free of his misery was to forgive them. He wanted to write to their warden and ask for a meeting with them, so he could personally forgive them. He needed to do this for himself, not for them, and he wanted their permission before he wrote to the warden.