Contents
Seventeen
Overview
As friends disperse for the holidays, Colin invites Arthur to spend Christmas with him. Arthur drives to visit his mother on Christmas Eve but learns she is in isolation after a cafeteria fight, with a sharpened spoon found in her cell, jeopardizing parole. Outside, Arthur spots Jayne and Ronnie’s Ranchero and confronts it as it drives away, intensifying the threat closing in.
Summary
With finals over, Allie heads to Texas and Van and Donna fly home. Worried he’ll be alone, Allie asks about Arthur’s holiday plans. Colin claims him for Christmas, promising whiskey and chess, giving Arthur unexpected warmth and something to anticipate.
Arthur plans only a Christmas Eve visit to his mother at Black Cricket. Driving through bitter cold, he notices a familiar Ranchero behind him but continues on, unsettled by its presence. The truck parks near the entrance yet sits idling, windshield glare hiding the occupants.
Inside, a corrections officer tells Arthur the visit is canceled: his mother has been moved to isolation after a cafeteria fight, and a search found contraband—a spoon sharpened to a blade. The officer warns this will weigh on parole. Arthur reels, forcing away visions of a stabbing, and pleads without success.
Stung and furious, Arthur storms back into the cold. He sees the Ranchero still nearby and shouts at it, suspecting Jayne and Ronnie’s involvement. The truck performs a slow U-turn and accelerates away toward the highway, leaving Arthur with the message understood and the stakes higher than ever.
Who Appears
- ArthurPlans Christmas with Colin; visits his mother; learns she’s isolated for a fight and contraband; confronts the Ranchero.
- Corrections OfficerInforms Arthur that his mother is in isolation and that a sharpened spoon was found, endangering parole.
- Jayne NighswanderUnseen presence implied in the Ranchero shadowing Arthur; leaves a threatening impression as it drives off.
- Ronnie NighswanderWith Jayne in the Ranchero that tails Arthur to the prison, then flees when confronted.
- ColinInvites Arthur to spend Christmas with him, offering comfort and companionship.
- AllieLeaves for Texas; worries Arthur might be alone for Christmas.
- Arthur’s motherMoved to isolation after a cafeteria fight; contraband sharpened spoon discovered, threatening parole.
- VanLeaves for the panhandle before Christmas; offstage context of friends dispersing.
- DonnaLeaves for the panhandle with Van; part of the group departing for break.