Jennifer’s experience after Ronald’s release is very different: she is consumed with guilt over her mistake and fears that Ronald may take revenge on her or her family. He meets a woman named Robbin, whom he marries and has a daughter with. Ronald’s account of his life after prison is about struggling to find work, to become independent, and in not knowing exactly what to do with himself. Part 3 is written by both Ronald and Jennifer, in alternating points of view that change with each chapter. After a DNA test proves that he was never in Jennifer’s apartment, he is released, which concludes Part 2. Ronald eventually commits to being peaceful and in maintaining his humanity at all costs. He has to fight to survive and he struggles frequently with his rage at the injustice of his situation. Much of Part 2 details Ronald’s experience in various prisons. Instead, he will not have his freedom for 11 years.

He goes to the police station to clear his name. As a black man in the south, he knew he was innocent but had little hope of convincing anyone. He describes his background and youth briefly before giving his account of the night he was accused of Jennifer’s rape. She alternates between venomous rage, extreme shame and guilt, and helplessness. Part 1 ends with Ronald going to prison and Jennifer praying that he will both burn in hell and experience rape while he is incarcerated.

After a brief introduction in which Jennifer reveals that she will go on to be responsible for Ronald’s unjust incarceration, she recounts the night of the rape, the police investigation and lineup, Ronald’s trial, and his conviction. The book is written in three first-person parts.

Picking cotton jennifer thompson