then. I was t

njured while "heroicall

eeper's son, the c

ing to push me back into the role

and two of his thuggish friends found

e brother sneered. He was bigger than m

te. His career could be ov

nything, a fist slam

d over,

ched me. Pain explo

," one of them grunted,

he familiar helplessness of m

was different. A cold rag

me bruised

small room, Jessica app

god, what hap

as if to help.

uch me,"

a second before the

't it? They're upset. But Mi

a small, worn obje

a veteran, died when I was yo

ed them from my ro

her voice soft. "They mea

She was lower tha

im recover... I'll make sure his family forgives you.

eyes. "And maybe, just maybe, we can

All

father's dog ta

oarse. "If she's okay, if she's safe from any

time. I needed

me. "Of course, Mike

main house, her hand

he pain, my

er game, h

my mind was clear no

ow I remember