My Volkswagen can’t take me to the hospital fast enough; I’ll admit if I had taken the Ferrari I probably would already be there, but there is something about this beat up Volkswagen that has become sentimental. When I pull into the parking lot, I almost forget to lock the car. I honestly can’t stand to be away from Brandi and the baby right now, especially since Ambriel is still spending most of her time in the NICU. I haven’t gotten any texts or phone calls from Brandi with the exception of a congratulations for winning the match –I’m guessing she had been watching it live from her hospital bed.

I’m rounding the hall into the maternity ward when I see her parents leaving the room. Her dad rolls his eyes, and her mother avoids eye contact. “Hey,” I say in the friendliest tone I can manage. I really did not expect to see them. They stop dead in their tracks as though they thought if they stayed still I wouldn’t see them. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Her father straightens himself up and looks me dead in the eye.

“Trial,” her father says –clearly not having missed me at all.

“Good to see you both,” I say –though it is a total lie. I want to crawl into a hole and die right now.

Her father clears his throat. “That’s a pretty little girl you got, Jonathan. Ambriel’s beautiful; they let me hold her for a minute and the little thing hit me when I brought her to my face. She better not turn out to be a damn boxer because I ain’t watching my granddaughter do that. Get that girl in a dance class for me, all right? I watched the match with Brandi by the way –good job.”

Holy hell –compliments. “Thank you, sir,” I say. I smile at the thought that Ambriel gave the guy a little punch in the face.

Her mother just nods along as though she’s too afraid or embarrassed to speak. I think of all the times she answered Brandi’s phone for her to let me know that I needed to fuck off, and I cringe slightly. I’m guessing they didn’t think I’d be back so soon; they probably were hoping to avoid me by waiting until my match to come visit. “She really is a pretty little thing,” her father says. “Looks just like her mother.”

“I was hoping she would,” I say. I smile at them both and do my best to try to make amends. “Come by the house anytime you want to see her. With me working two jobs, I’m sure Brandi would love the extra help.”

“That’s right. You’re working at that ladies only gym,” he says with a slight laugh. He’s acting really fake towards me. I know the guy wants to punch me in the face –I did hurt Brandi once –not intentionally, but I knocked her down pretty damn hard. He probably knows all about what Donte did –that had been intentional. I wonder if he’s just relieved she’s not with that jerk anymore.

“Yeah. It’s a good gig. My old trainer got me the job,” I say, feeling like we’re just making small talk now.

“Listen, Trial,” he says and puts his hand out like he wants me to shake. I grab his hand, and he says, “if you get that revenge match, I want you to tear the shit out of Donte for me.”

I laugh. “Believe me, I’m going to do my best.”

“I’m serious,” he says and let’s go of my hand. “Kill the bastard.”

A thought suddenly strikes me. “You still work at that pharmaceutical lab on Main Street?”

“Yeah. Planning to retire in the next year or two, actually,” he says.

“Could you… test something for me?” I ask and pull the water bottle out of my bag.

He stares at me cautiously. “Why?”

“Let’s just say it’s in both of our interests to prove exactly what was put into this water,” I say.

The man frowns, but he takes the water bottle from me. “All right, whatever you say, Trial. You haven’t gotten yourself in the middle of something, have you?”

“Probably not,” I say. “But let’s hope I have.”

He doesn’t appreciate the mysterious thing, but he nods. They say their farewells, and they leave. I’m glad. He may have been willing to help me out, but he still can’t stand me. I hurry into Brandi’s room, and I smile to see her holding Ambriel. She smiles. “Saw that match! Way to go!” she smiles and gives Ambriel a tight snuggle. “Doctor says she’s doing great, but she’ll have to stay here another four weeks. Ugh! I can’t believe we have to wait that long to take her home.”

I smile. “It’ll be worth it.”

“I know, but I’m getting discharged this afternoon, so I won’t be able to share a room with her anymore. I’ll have to go visit her in the NICU area.” Brandi frowns. She does not look pleased at all. I’m not thrilled either. She changes the subject. “I think my dad is starting to come around, by the way. He stayed here and watched your match with me.”

“So I heard. I ran into your folks in the hall,” I say. “So listen, I have something to tell you." I grin as I sit down beside her bed. “Ran into Donte in the locker rooms after the match-”

“Oh, God, what happened?” she asks.

“He was just being a tool, but don’t worry –I kept my cool. Anyways, the guy left his locker open. The asshole is on steroids.”

Brandi looks slightly pale. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah. And that’s not all. I think he might be slipping sleeping pills to his competition,” I say with a smile. “That’s how he was able to take me down so easily. If I can prove it, he’s going down.”

“Wow,” she says, in awe of it all. “What a creep.”

“I know, and it’s kind of bitter sweet. I won’t be fighting the guy if it turns out to be true. I would have loved to knock the shit out of him, but his career is going to be over once this comes out,” I say it with a smile. I brush it aside, though. I take Ambriel from her and hold the little one close to my chest. She’s beautiful, and she coos slightly. I think about how Donte had hit Brandi when she was pregnant. He could have hurt this little baby too, and it really pisses me off. I almost want to not go forward with an investigation just so I can throw fists with the guy, but ruining his career would be way better revenge than a few good punches. Besides, it would be hard to go up against a guy who is pumping himself full of steroids. No wonder he laid me out so bad at our first match.

I don’t think about any of that now. I just hold my daughter, and I spend some time with my technically ex-wife. I wonder if Brandi wants to remarry. I cringe slightly. I wonder if I want to. Every time I think about it, I think of Laurel. I shake my head. How am I ever going to make things work with Brandi if I can’t get Laurel out of my head? After the marathon, I think I’m going to quit my job at the gym. I thought I could stay friends with Laurel, but I can’t. I wish I could. I really, really wish that I could, but I can’t stop thinking about her in a romantic way –so if I’m ever going to salvage my family, I think I’m going to have to stop seeing Laurel –and it really pains me to think that way.