Executioner's Song, The - Norman Mailer [242]
So far, I've gotten a letter from Napoleon, one from Santa Claus, several from Satan, and you wouldn't believe how many postmarks and return addresses Jesus Christ himself uses. People think I'm crazy. Ha ha ha.
You'll never guess who I got a letter from. Brenda! First she helps them catch me, then she helps them convict me, now she wants to write and visit. She's got more balls than a bull elephant.
Next day, Thursday, soon as Tamera came into work, she received a call from a correspondent for Time magazine. Heard she'd been with Nicole. Wanted to know if she had a little information to pass along. Pressure was coming down on her editors as well. They were having to stall old newspaper acquaintances. It was the first time Tamera had seen how the newspaper business was like a swap shop. "I'll give you a piece of my story today, if you take care of me tomorrow."
She had always thought it was closer to the movies: you went out by yourself and brought it back alive.
At this point, the news editor took Tamera off other assignments, and said, "You're on Nicole. Do what you have to do." She looked blank, and he added, "I don't care if you bring her up to Salt Lake, and have her stay at your house. If you have to, take her out to dinner. I don't care what it costs. Do anything, but don't lose that story."
Well, this was more like what she had thought it would be. Then the guy from Time magazine called back to say he wanted quotes. When she said, "This is between me and Nicole," he said, "She's just given an interview to the New York Times." Tamera just thought, "WHAT??"
Later that morning, Tamera was waiting as Nicole came out of prison. Soon as she brought up the interview with the Times, Nicole said, "That's ridiculous. I'm not talking to anyone."
"I just want you," said Tamera, "to understand my position. I'll keep the secrets you told me so long as you also keep them." She looked real straight at Nicole. "But as soon as you start talking to other media people, I don't feel bound to honor our agreement. If you want to earn some money on this thing, you're totally justified. Somebody wants to pay you, that's great. But I want you to know I'll write a story too when that happens."
Nicole just said, "Agreed." Acted like they were still friends. All of Tamera's anger went away. She just loved Nicole again and started making plans for what they could do on Saturday, her day off. Maybe go up to the mountains. A good idea to get out. Nicole agreed.
6
Then they drove over to Kathryne's house and had whole wheat toast, and talked, and in the middle of that, Nicole whispered that she wanted Tamera to keep Gary's letters. Didn't want her mother to see them after she was gone.
Next, Nicole and Kathryne got into the most impossible conversation.
"I'm going," Nicole said, "to the execution Monday morning."
Kathryne said, "Sissy, I don't want you there."
"Well," said Nicole, "I'm going."
"If you are," said Kathryne, "I'm going too."
"Gary didn't invite you."
"I don't care whether he did or not. I'm not going to see him. I'm there to wait for you."
"No," Nicole said, "I'll go myself."
"Get it straight, kid," said Kathryne, "I'm taking you."
Then the news came over the radio. None of them could believe it. Gary's execution had been delayed again. Governor Rampton had just issued a Stay. The radio announcer kept repeating it in an excited voice.
Tamera was sure glad her editor had said to stick with Nicole.
Otherwise, she might have run back to the newspaper to see if they needed her. Instead, she could now offer to take Nicole over to the prison. On the way, Nicole gave her the key to the apartment in Springville. Told her she could pick up the letters, and hold them.
During that twenty-minute trip to the prison, Nicole still looked calm, but Tamera knew she was stunned. What came off was one clear message: Gary would now have to commit suicide. That was bringing it very near to Nicole.
She started telling Tamera about her motherin-law, Marie Barrett.
Really liked Marie, she said, liked her a lot better