The Confession

On the morning of his execution, Donté feels his bravery fading. “No one really wants to die” (225).

From the road, Schroeder calls Flak’s law firm and is put on speaker phone. Schroeder shares what he knows about Boyette, the murder, and the brain tumor. Flak tells Schroeder they need Boyette to sign an affidavit attesting to his guilt and agreeing to take them to the body. Boyette, sleeping in the back seat, has a seizure. Flak urges Schroeder to “[h]urry up” (234).

The morning of the execution dawns in Slone. The Black football players have gone through with their promise to boycott football practice; they also refuse to play the game the next evening. White residents fume over the cancelled game and about the Baptist church being torched. Just as school begins, a shoving match breaks out between Black and white students. The principal closes the school at 8:30am.

Donté’s family arrives at Longview Prison before Donté is transferred the 50 miles to Huntsville for the execution. Donté tries to console his mother, but tells her not to hope for a reprieve. “I’m sorry,” he tells her. “I’m gonna die angry” (239). He again begs his mother not to attend the execution, but Roberta is adamant she will be there.