“It’s just hard. Mark was a good guy. He had a wife and two little girls and they were the center of his world. I’d go over for Sunday night barbecues and it was like a normal night for normal guys. He was one of the best catchers the Bronx Bolts ever had, but he didn’t spend a lot of time talking about it or trying to prove himself. I craved what he had. He was so comfortable with who he was, and he had a loving family who adored him.”

“Mark sounds like he was a stand-up friend. My friend Gabriela is like that for me, but we’re both too busy to talk much. She gets to see Jose more than I do, but thank God he has her.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I have to admit, I’ve never felt like you—that I’ve disappointed someone—but, then again, I’ve never had anyone to disappoint. Except Jose. It’s just been me and Jose for a long time now. Which is fine. I don’t have time to try and please people. I got to keep myself on point or Jose suffers.”

“You’re a good mom.”

“I don’t know about that, but I try to be a good person. I’d never do what Roland did to you, or his wife. And I don’t know what’s up with your father, but you should find yourself some better friends.”

The limo turned onto Jerome Avenue, a few blocks from her house.

“You’re right, I definitely need a higher class of people in my life. What are you doing right now?”

She laughed. “It’s late! I’ve got to get Jose up and out the door for school in the morning. And Gabriela is not going to want to hang out on my couch for much longer.”

“Come on, it’s only ten thirty. I bet if you asked Gabriela, she’d be fine. Why don’t you call her.”

Gabriela would ask if I had a condom and give me tips on different positions. She’d have no problem with Angel staying out late. But should she?

“Um, don’t take this the wrong way, but why should I trust you?”

His face paled, not out of anger but out of mortification. Taking her arm gently, he ran a thumb over one of the fading red streaks that his grip had left earlier. There probably wouldn’t be much bruising, but there would be bruising on the inside, for them both.

“If you mean physically, you have every right to ask me that, but I swear to God I’ve never hurt a woman. I was drunk. I shouldn’t have grabbed you. I was just trying to hold you back, but I should not have done that. It won’t happen again.”