Ruth had been through a lot in her life. She knows what it is like to have a rough go of it. But nothing compares to this.

      
  Ruth had lived her entire life grasping onto what little she had …but she didn't consider it little.   She had her faith …and a son and daughter.
  
  Now, the news of her son paralyzes any thoughts of normal activity. Rational thoughts become irrational.  Panic quickly sets in.  It's times like these that you need someone to totally take over.                                                                         

  Through the years, Rebekkah had been there for her.  She didn’t have to ask, Rebekkah just naturally always took over.   And the same was true of Cindy's dad.   There is nothing of higher worth than the support he offered his daughter.   Ken stood as a stalwart pillar.                                                                           

  But lost in it all, is Shannon. She still is unable to share how she  feels.  No one really quite knows how it is still affecting her, except God.  God knows …God always knows.  And that’s where Shannon turns. 
  
  Shannon had never shared how she felt. Expectations were always high.  She knew it was expected of her to call him ‘Dad’, but she had so much locked inside her that she couldn’t express ...not knowing quite how to express it. 
  
  Shannon is directed to a separate area of the house with Leah and Josiah, so the adults can talk.  She watches Leah and Josiah play.   As of yet, they have no clue of what has happened.  Really, no one knows much …but Shannon does know things are not looking good.  As Leah and Josiah play, she prays. 

The television news reports ...

  “There is a prisoner by the name of  Amos Maccabee, who has escaped from Huron Valley Center prison late  last evening.   Initially, it was suspected that someone was behind the prison break, but we have some new developments.   We are going to  take you to Robin Seymore, at the Ann Arbor Burn Center."   

Over the television screen ...

   “This is Robin Seymore, at the Ann Arbor Burn Center.  The word here is that two college age boys, both believed to be enrolled in the University of Michigan, were putting the finishing touches on a rocket they were building.  A girlfriend of one of the students said it was supposed to be launched this coming New Year’s Eve, equipped with several side launchers, to explode into the sky for a fireworks extravaganza.  But there will be no New Year’s Eve celebration for these two.  The one has lost his sight and one leg, but is expected to survive.   The condition of the other is uncertain, other than the fact that he is still fighting for his life.   As is the case with a large number of burn victims, this one is also a result of a careless cigarette smoker.  Thankfully, in this case, there was a third party present who was able to act quickly.   Rescue teams always have a very difficult job, but their main concern is that they’re called in time, so they can do their job.   In this case, they were able to save a life, and hopefully they will be able to save two.  This is Robin Seymore, at the Ann Arbor Burn Center.  Back to you, Loren.”

       “Thank you, Robin.   It appears that this is not a case of a planned prison escape, but rather an eventual expected outcome in the life of, by definition, what we would call an opportunist.   An opportunist's actions are guided ---or should we say, misguided ---by circumstances, or as we say, opportunities.   Opportunists will use any available opportunity to further their interests without regard to possible eventual consequences.   That attitude breeds criminal behavior and has landed many of them here.   To many, prison is the ultimate consequence, and that present reality fuels an even more driven desire to rectify what they consider an unfortunate interruption in their life.  They will never admit that their plan was wrong, and they will continually pursue it, at any cost.  They will even tell you, "I have nothing to lose!"   And they have a lifetime to wait …for that one moment.   Sooner or later someone will mess up, or an opportunity will present itself …and they will not hesitate to take that calculated chance, irregardless of the cost to them or others.   So, the authorities are asking everyone to be on heightened alert.  This man is unpredictable and is to be considered extremely dangerous.   I've just been told by our investigative team of further developments in this story, so we will take you to Bill Underwood.”

“This is Bill Underwood. One of our reporters has just visited the hospital in Saline where the injured perimeter guard was taken to. She says she was not allowed to talk directly to the guard, but was told by a visiting security officer that the guard was taking aim at the escaping prisoner, who had stepped beyond the perimeter, when he was grabbed from behind. The guard was unable to remember anything after that, but he has sustained a couple broken ribs and a mild concussion. I am presently outside of Huron Valley Center. We can’t get near enough to see the damage, but I am told the cost may be astronomical. Many of the prison workers have been here for over twenty-four hours. Just now, are they allowing some of those employees to alternate for a couple hours break until they can get additional help in here. I have here, a gentleman by the name of Casey. Now Casey, is it correct that you were told not to talk with anyone from the press or media?”

Casey laughs, “That’s one of their policies, they say.  They say they will eventually designate one of their administrative people to talk with you, but they will only report what they want you to hear.   I believe the public has a right to know the full story.”

   Bill Underwood: “And you were actually working on the unit where the explosion took place last evening?”
                  

               Casey: “That’s correct.”
                  

   Bill Underwood: “So, Casey, tell us what happened. The public, myself included, not only feel we have the right to know, but we are grateful you’ve stepped forward to share this information with us.” 

                  

              Casey: “The explosion rocked the place.   It about knocked me down. All I could see at the end of one hall was smoke and flames.  I checked to see if my supervisor and other co-worker were okay.   Once I saw they were okay, my next concern was the safety of the prisoners.  I began evacuation procedures.   A few of the prisoners were trapped behind the fiery blaze.  The heat was so intense, I almost passed out, but the fire extinguisher finally did the trick.   Once the Security Supervisor said the threat of fire was over, we top-locked the prisoners in their rooms.  One  prisoner, Amos Maccabee, or as he calls himself, Tennessee Trucker, was missing.  Our employee count showed that my co-worker, Stephen Razohn, was also missing.  By himself, Tennessee Trucker, is not very capable.  He can be very dangerous, but it is my opinion that he is not intelligent enough to successfully escape and continue to elude the police."                                                        

   Bill Underwood:  "Is it of your opinion that Stephen Razohn helped Amos Maccabee escape?"        

              Casey:  "Everyone who works here is always considered a qualified professional.  This investigation will be based upon fact, not opinions.  But the fact is, we deal with emergencies every day.  And in providing a secure prison, we act professionally …so even in situations like this, prison breaks don't usually happen, unless someone from the inside helps.  That  is just a fact.  Relationships and friendships are not supposed to be formed between guards and prisoners, but it does happen.  Didn't you mention that one of your reporters stated that the guard was grabbed from behind as he took aim at the escaping prisoner?"                                                                                                                                                          

   Bill Underwood (aside): “Amos Maccabee is a criminal …that we know.  Stephen Razohn, we don't know …but lots of people, including the Department of Corrections are very interested in knowing.  And we should know too.  It is our right to know.  We have the right to be protected from this sort of thing happening."                                                                                 

   Ruth turns off the television.  She can take no more of this.  Cindy and Ruth hug …and cry.
                   

   Rebekkah turns to Ken, “An opportunist, they say!  Who I consider the real opportunists are the reporters.  They grasp the opportunity and they don’t care who they hurt.”

So many stories are going around. Even at church, the stories circulate. Fernye had heard that Lisa Stone has missed several days of work. No one has seen her ….and she doesn’t answer any of their calls. That is still a loose end. The authorities are working quickly and several surprises are rumored to be trickling in. Sadly, the church is helping add to those rumors.

   Word is that the Director of Huron Valley Center prison, Frank Bodin, has been arrested.  That surprise quickly makes the national news.  But other surprises are crucial to keep off the news ….like the one that the authorities have planned for Trucker.  They have a list of contacts and are awaiting his arrival in Tennessee.  They believe they have a firm handle on it.  But they are the ones who are soon surprised.  It so happens that it is not Tennessee Trucker who is missing.  It is Crazy Larry.                                                               

   Rebekkah is furious!  How could they have made that mistake?                                                                                  

   This latest news is not well-received by Stephen's family.  That bit of hope that they'd been clinging onto is now quickly diminishing.  They aren't even close to the possibility of retrieving Stephen.  Certainly the family is even more desperate than the authorities for him to be found, and eager for his innocence to be declared.  But it doesn't seem to be any time soon forthcoming.

 Apparently, Casey and his supervisor were not telling the story the way it had happened.  They were telling it so they didn’t look bad.   Much had to have gone wrong and they couldn’t have done their job right.  They did not do a thorough count.   And how did Tennessee Trucker get locked in Crazy Larry’s room?   How did it take so long for them to notice their mistake?