Wednesday March 2nd, 2016

The exercise:

Write about: retaliation.

The two guys Kat's parents hired to put in the deer fence that will surround the farm were working in our front yard this morning. They were using a machine to put a few more posts in before starting to put up the actual fencing. It was very noisy, and even shook the house a little bit when the posts were going in.

Max loved it.

He was watching from the deck at one point and I could hear him giggling as they were putting one of the posts in. Pretty sure he wanted to grab one of his toolboxes and go help them.

I do not know where he gets this from.

Mine:

"When he shuts off his truck," I say, forcing myself to speak slowly, "that's when I make my move. Just keep the car running and be ready to hit the gas when I come back."

"I don't think... actually, that's not true. I know this isn't a good idea." Tyrone looks nervous. I suppose I can understand why he'd feel that way.

Not me though, not right now. I just feel eager.

"What, you don't think that prick deserves this?"

"I'm not saying he should go unpunished," Tyrone says, holding his hands up, palms facing me. "I'm just questioning who should be doing the punishing."

"There's no question there," I say as I turn my attention back to the street. "It's me."

"An eye for an eye creates blindness, my friend."

"Who said anything about going for his eyes? That ain't, generally speaking, my target area."

"I know he hurt you, bro. I understand where you're coming from."

I turn to look at him but don't say a word. I don't have to. My eyes tell him I don't think that you do.

"This will not end well. Mark my words. No good will come of this."

"That's where you're wrong, my friend." I watch as his truck comes around the corner, then eases into its usual parking spot. "Something very, very good is about to come of this. I'm going to cherish what's about to happen for the rest of my life."

"Cherish?" Tyrone's laugh is harsh. "More like regret."

"Whatever, bro."

The truck's engine goes silent. I open the car's passenger door.

"Just keep it running, all right? Be back in a few."