The man who had nearly died on Easton Street.

Chapter 7: The Visitor

Jason arrived at Marcus’s house on Wednesday afternoon.

Marcus was outside washing his truck when a silver sedan stopped at the curb.

A man stepped out.

He walked with a slight limp.

His hair was shorter than Marcus remembered.

But the face was unmistakable.

Marcus dropped the hose.

“Jason?”

Jason nodded.

“Hey.”

For several seconds, neither moved.

Marcus felt his heart pounding.

He had imagined this meeting hundreds of times.

He had rehearsed apologies.

Explanations.

Questions.

But now that Jason stood in front of him, Marcus could barely speak.

“How did you find me?”

“Your address wasn’t hard to find.”

Marcus looked toward the house.

“Do you want to come inside?”

Jason shook his head.

“Not yet.”

Marcus nodded.

“Okay.”

Jason looked at the truck.

Then at the house.

“You doing all right?”

Marcus almost laughed.

“I’m trying.”

Jason nodded.

“I saw the video.”

Marcus closed his eyes.

“Yeah.”

“Guy’s a real piece of work.”

Marcus said nothing.

Jason continued.

“I recognized him.”

“Ryan?”

“Yeah.”

Marcus looked up.

“You remember him?”

“More than I used to.”

Jason leaned against the car.

“My memory came back in pieces. Took a long time.”

Marcus waited.

Jason continued.

“I remember the club. I remember Ryan. I remember the woman.”

He paused.

“And I remember you.”

Marcus swallowed.

“Jason, I’m sorry.”

Jason looked at him.

“I know.”

“No. I need you to hear me.”

“I’ve heard it.”

Marcus stared.

Jason reached into his jacket and removed an envelope.

“Your letters.”

Marcus froze.

For three years, he had written letters of apology to Jason.

He had sent them through an attorney because Jason’s family did not want direct contact.

He never received a reply.

Jason held the envelope.

“I read them.”

Marcus could not speak.

Jason looked down.

“You know what made me angry?”

Marcus shook his head.

“You kept saying you were sorry for losing control.”

Marcus waited.

“But you never asked why we attacked you.”

Marcus looked confused.

Jason continued.

“Ryan told us you were trying to hurt Angela.”

Marcus stared.