The River Is Waiting

Corby reflects on his rough start in prison and his gratitude for Manny and Cavagnero, who had thwarted Corby’s earlier plans for death by suicide. He has settled into prison life and tries to live by Dr. Patel’s advice to stay active and engaged; however, he has not yet found work.

Corby is notified through the intercom that he has a visitor. He and four others—Angel, Praise, a Sikh man, and a teenager—line up for their visits, talking as they wait. Corby learns that Praise, or Cornell, is Lester’s son, and he notices a self-inflicted cut on the teenager’s arm. He tries to talk to the teenager, Solomon, but Solomon rejects the kindness.

The inmates are let into the visiting room, and everyone else’s visitors enter while Corby sits alone watching the others. Corby notices how the visitors are women and reflects on his father’s history of making excuses. Emily enters, defensive and upset. They talk about Maisie, who has been having behavioral issues, and about Emily’s new co-worker, Evan. Solomon is loud and sobbing, and Emily says she talked to his stepmother and learned that Solomon shot several dogs at a pound. Corby asks if Emily wears her wedding rings and if they will stay married, but she avoids the topic.