Five Little Indians

The story now follows the experiences of Howie Brocket, who was at the Mission during the same years as Kenny and the others. During his time there, Howie was sexually abused by Brother until his mother and another relative smuggled him away to Oklahoma, where he grew up. As an adult, Howie needs to return to the vicinity of the Indian School to get some identification paperwork straightened out. While in the area, he encounters Brother again. Unable to control his rage, he beats the man nearly to death. As a result, Howie spends several years in prison.

His narrative picks up in the present moment while he is facing his seventh Parole Board hearing. He assumes the board wants him to apologize. Instead, he says of Brother, “He deserved what he got and more. Where was the law then when he was beating us, breaking bones, and other, even worse things? That man never saw a day inside, much less inside a courtroom, and yet I am locked in this hell” (163-164).

After his hearing, Howie assumes his request for parole will be denied. A week later, he can hardly believe that his sentence has been completely discharged, and he is now a free man.