Page 38 of Challenge Me

“Never watched it, but I imagine you were on Negan’s side.”

“I don’t vote for the villains, and I don’t forgive them.” His head cocked. “Well, I have a few exceptions. Eren Yeager. Zuko. Frankenstein’s monster.”

“What about Vader?”

“Hell no. You know how many kids he killed? Although, we can argue that it was the systems of power, including the Jedi Order, that were the catalysts for the birth of most of the villains in their universe.”

“Interesting perspective. So, you’re not a redemption arc kind of guy.”

“Redemption arcs?” He gave a humorless laugh. “They read nice in fiction, but out here? I believe in realism. Some people are capable of change, but there’s such a thing as absolute evil. It’s up to each of us to determine where we draw the line by which forgiveness is no longer an option.”

When I pulled my lips to the side, he lifted a brow.

“Don’t agree?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Then you’ve never seen it in someone’s eyes.”

“Seen what?”

Something changed in his expression. From one moment to the next, he seemed to age years. “Evil, of course. A glimpse will freeze you to stone, and you’ll never forget what it felt like to view the wickedness that lives in a human soul.”

“Jesus. That’s . . . bleak.”

“You can plant flowers on a grave, but it won’t raise the dead. And me? I’ve never been much of a gardener.”

“After this conversation, maybe it’s not ludicrous to think I can forgive you for trying to bury me in the mud.”

“If you do that, I’ll have to find another way to wrong you.”

I offered a mock laugh as I took a few steps back. “You’re sort of impossible.”

“Oli thinks you’ll stash my lifeless body in a swamp.”

“We’ll see how the next few weeks go.” Taking a page out of his book, I winked at him before I turned around. “I’ve got practice in a few hours, but I think you should stay here and sleep.”

“And give you a chance to sneak around behind my back?” He snorted. “Not a chance.”

“Then take a nap. You look like shit.”

“Thanks, baby.”

I smiled as I opened the fridge to find myself something to eat. I hadn’t seen him put much in his mouth recently, so I decided to cook something real. If he did manage to fall asleep, I’d make him bring it with us. Eating in the car was a crime, but I could probably make an exception, only because he’d likely be easier to deal with if he was fed and rested.

*****

Mal: I asked Mom if I can come see you.

Me: Oh yeah? What’d she say?

Mal: To ask you.

Adjusting in my seat, I considered how to answer. There was never a time I didn’t want her to come to a game, or even my practices. Anywhere I was, I wanted her around. But I’d set certain boundaries for this specific trip. At the same time, it wasn’t fair to either me or Mal to go over a month without seeing each other. Since I didn’t get enough time off during spring training to make a trip home, I’d have to adjust something.

Me: What game do you want to come to?

Mal: All.