Short Story (Part One) Letters Home: On Animal Rights

This is part one of a short story that consists of seven letters. This is a fictional story that deals with issues related to animals rights and incarceration. I will post the other six parts throughout the week.

3/30/1980
Dear Ma,

I reckon you probably heard by now, but the judge done said I is destined for the gallows. Of course, they ain’t got no gallows now-a days, but they got what they call the lethal injection. Suppose to be more humane and such. Although I don’t see nothin humane bout killin no livin being, especially when they ain’t did nothin. But that lawyer said I was guilty as sin, and he done said that I got the animal instinct. Yes ma’am, the animal instinct. Though I ain’t really ever understood what that supposed to mean, but they say it the reason I done what they say I done. But that lawyer son of a bitch ain’t no nothin, he said I no different than the wolves, like them wolves that killed one or our hogs. But I suppose them wolves only done what they done cause they ain’t got no farms or grocery stores like we got. They just tryin to survive. I was pretty red when it happened, but hell, they got a right to survive just as we do don’t them? I mean, it ain’t no different than a man killin-a cow just to have a bloody steak. The way I see it, the difference is that man thinks he ain’t did nothin wrong when someone else do it for him. I’d sure as shit bet if folks had to do it themselves, ain’t hardly no one eat meat no more. But I guess this ain’t the kind-a thing a mother need to hear when her first born son fixin to die. I sure hope you and the boys can make your way up here and see me, though I won’t go blamin ya if you don’t. They sayin it could be two years or more till the state will allow the injection, with it bein all new and such. And my lawyer said we got a shot to appeal, or least that what he been tellin me anyhow. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be seein y’all on the outside again. Just know that I ain’t kill nobody, and make sure my brothers know that too. No matter what the hell the state be sayin, it ain’t me that done it and I intend to prove that somehow. But for now, keep an eye out for my letters Ma, even if I don’t be gettin none back, I’ll keep-a writin.

Your boy,
Billy