The ties that bind: A woman’s journey into an unlikely friendship whose time is running out

By Brooke Anderson, Contributing Writer

Today I anxiously await the mail to arrive. Although I only recently sent out my last letter, I never know when I may randomly receive a note from Bobby Wayne; our correspondence is never consistent, nor timed.  As soon as the mailman steps off the porch, I quickly examine the pile of mail on the entryway floor to see if any are postmarked from Mobile, Alabama.  My spirits sink a little when I notice only one bill and an advertisement from Safeway.  No letter from Bobby.  Oh well, there is always tomorrow.  However, the familiar and persistent voice in the back of my head reminds me that with every passing day he inches closer to his execution, causing each day and each letter to be quite sacred.  After all, at 33, Bobby has been sitting on death row for 14 years, and the national average is currently 17 years before execution.  I decide not to linger on that statistic today and remind myself that at least he will receive a letter from me shortly, which I know will help to lift his spirits as his letters do mine.  Recently he was struggling with the fact that his TV broke (which is one of his only connections to the outside world), and that “(his) days right now is dim.” In the midst of these feelings he wrote,

Extra! Extra!

Summer is fleeting so get outside and enjoy the fresh air and good company. You’ll find all that along with the city’s finest alternative newspaper in the company of your friendly neighborhood Street Roots vendor. The men and women of the press will be out and about Friday morning with the latest edition. Here’s what’s coming your way:

Paulo Coelho: social alchemist: In this conversation with the best selling author of “The Alchemist,” read how Coelho is trying to inspire a cultural revolution among his millions of Twitter devotees.

The ties that bind: Portland’s Brooke Anderson writes of her journey into an unlikely friendship with a man on death row. It has been a profound experience that has given this pen pal a fresh perspective on life.

Jill Stein wants to Occupy the Oval Office: An interview with the Green Party presidential candidate who talks about third party potential and the influence of Occupy in her politics.

Bursting the bubble: A conversation with “On the Media” host Brooke Gladstone about her new graphic novel and what she really thinks of our relationship with the news.

Plus so much more, including a review of a new book about Catholic Worker founder Dorothy Day, and commentary from Dr. Samuel Metz on health care reform and from the Partnership for Safety and Justice. And of course, poetry, art and a horoscope to look forward to! Pick up your copy first thing Friday morning and your weekend will be off to a fantastic start! Thank you!