The River Is Waiting Chapter 17: Resisting Temptation at Yates Correctional

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

By his seventh week at Yates Correctional, the narrator has kept his promise to Emily to stay clean but has not yet attended an AA meeting. Fellow inmate Manny whispers about a hidden bottle of 86-proof tequila left behind by a paroled inmate, stashed in a broken hot pot in the rec area. At the next break, the smell of alcohol on Manny’s breath triggers a powerful craving. The narrator joins the line but, when it’s almost his turn, he punches his thumb through the bottom of his Styrofoam cup and walks away. Rattled, he returns to his cell. The next day, on impulse, he asks Captain Delia Graham how to get to an AA meeting. She writes him a pass, and he attends Sunday Mass, where he sees the Jamaican inmate Jheri Curl singing in the choir. After Mass, the priest (Father Andy) removes his robe and joins the AA meeting. The narrator reads from the Big Book but does not share about his close call, uncertain whether his resistance was voluntary. He returns to his cell feeling calmer and decides to request future meetings.

Key Events

Manny informs the narrator about a cache of tequila hidden in the rec area’s broken hot pot.
The narrator joins the line of inmates waiting to drink it but deliberately punctures his cup just before his turn, aborting the attempt.
His craving was so intense it gave him the shakes; afterward he feels a mix of despair and relief.
The next day (Sunday), he approaches Captain Graham, who gives him a pass to the AA meeting that follows Mass.
At Mass he observes Jheri Curl (the inmate from the yard) performing a solo; he also sees a “Dog the Bounty Hunter”-looking inmate assist the priest.
After Mass, the priest (Father Andy) leads the AA meeting, sharing his own history of a fourth DUI and rehab.
The narrator reads “How It Works” from the Big Book but chooses not to share about his tequila temptation.
He returns to B Block and tells Manny where he’s been, then reads Dr. Patel’s letter before lights-out.

Character Development

The narrator (unnamed): Deepens his internal struggle between cravings and resolve. His physical destruction of the cup shows a desperate but effective coping mechanism. He begins to take active steps toward recovery by seeking out a meeting, yet remains guarded about sharing his vulnerability. His skepticism about faith clashes with his need for a higher power.
Manny: Portrayed as a talkative, curious cellmate who tries to bond over drugs and alcohol. He appears to respect the narrator’s choices but often oversteps boundaries, prompting the narrator’s sarcastic retort.
Captain Delia Graham: Introduced as a formidable, no-nonsense officer who is secretly sympathetic to the program (“Friend of Bill’s”). Her efficiency and maternal tone contrast with the prison’s roughness.
Jheri Curl: Previously a provocative figure in the yard, now shown as a talented singer and churchgoer, hinting at complexity beneath his flamboyant exterior.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Evidenced Here

Temptation and resistance: The hidden tequila serves as a concrete test of sobriety. The narrator’s thumb punching through the cup symbolizes his subconscious will to stay clean, even as his conscious mind craves the release.
Skepticism versus spirituality: The narrator explicitly doubts religious beliefs, yet attends Mass and the AA meeting. He recalls his sponsor’s adage that belief is not required as long as you believe that others believe. This tension between cynicism and hope mirrors his recovery journey.
Survival of the fittest: The chapter opens with a description of the woods and wetlands behind the prison, comparing the animal competition to the inmate environment. The tequila line and the AA meeting both represent strategies for survival—one destructive, one constructive.
The “stinkin’ thinkin’”: A direct reference to the AA concept that addictive rationalizations can override better judgment. The narrator acknowledges this trap after his near-relapse.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 17 marks a turning point in the narrator’s incarceration. It is the first time he actively chooses recovery over relapse, albeit through a physical trick rather than conscious resolve. His decision to seek out the AA meeting, despite his distrust of organized religion, establishes the foundation for his spiritual and emotional rehabilitation. The chapter also introduces key support figures – Captain Graham and Father Andy – who will likely reappear as allies. The parallel between the communion line and the tequila line underscores the theme of substitution: the grape juice and bread offer a different kind of “minivacation” from pain.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does the narrator destroy his own cup rather than simply walking away from the tequila line?

He has been overwhelmed by a physical craving that makes him feel he needs the drink. Destroying the cup removes the possibility of using it, forcing an end to the temptation. He later wonders whether the act was voluntary or involuntary, suggesting his subconscious resolve overruled his conscious desire.

2. How does Captain Graham’s response to the narrator reveal her character and attitudes toward the prison program?

Graham responds quickly and empathetically, using the AA code phrase “Friend of Bill’s” and writing him a pass despite the 24-hour rule. She also shares personal anecdotes about raising her sons to be self-sufficient. This shows she is both authoritative and compassionate, and that she values the recovery work of AA within the facility.

3. What does the narrator’s observation about the communion service imply about his view of religion and recovery?

He is critical of inmates who treat Mass as a social hour and mocks the hypocrisy of “spirituality now and sinning later.” Yet he also feels a momentary gratitude for the priest’s green robe – a splash of color in the gray surroundings. His skepticism is offset by a need for something to believe in, echoing the AA principle that even a borrowed belief can be enough to start.