WALLY LAMB'S The River Is Waiting

Known for his emotionally propulsive—and often heart-wrenching—stories, Wally Lamb has sold millions of books including New York Times bestsellers She's Come Undone and I Know This Much is True, which was adapted into an HBO limited drama series starring Mark Ruffalo and Juliette Lewis. His newest novel, The River Is Waiting, out June 10, follows Corby, an imprisoned father who contemplates the possibility of forgiveness in the wake of unfathomable tragedy. Here, an exclusive excerpt of Lamb's upcoming book just for FIRST readers!

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After 10 minutes go by—I've been watching the wall clock—Mrs. Millman invites everyone to take their seats for the unveiling. She begins by thanking the administrators for green-lighting the mural project and today's celebration. Looks like they're eating it up, too, especially when they get a round of polite applause. Mrs. M's not a kiss-ass; she's playing politics because she wants more money for her library. It's fun to watch the way she operates. She invites the warden to speak.

I tune out most of Rickerby's blah-blah-blah but catch the end of her spiel: “My team and I always do our best to accentuate the positive at this institution.” Really? I hadn't noticed.

Rickerby and Zabrowski are the designated unveilers. As they walk toward the mural, I feel my stomach muscles clench. Sit on my hands so that no one will see how badly they're shaking. To make things worse, the warden starts counting backward from 10. I'm glad she's enjoying herself in the midst of my panic. What if everyone hates it? What if all the political protests I've embedded in the work—anti-white supremacy, antiracism, antiprison—are blatantly obvious? Embarrassing the powers that be around here could cost me big-time. Rickerby reaches the end of her countdown and, from opposite ends, she and Zabrowski yank down the tarps, exposing the mural. And me.