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diminished his sanity. Derrick began to consider finding another man for his dirty work. One who could handle his direct orders. And eliminate the need for Martin.
    The debt collector followed Graves with his eyes. He hoped he got his point across that he was not some piece of garbage that could be talked down to or mistreated. He didn’t respond well to repeated belittling. There were people in his past who found that out. Maybe there should be more. He tossed the rest of the crackers, wrapper and all into the pond. He unzipped his fly and urinated profusely into the dark water and tilted his head to the sky. The night was welcoming. Darkness opened to darkness.

Chapter 14
     
     
     
     
    The morning air felt crisp. Michael liked early autumn weather because the beginning and end of each day were chilly but the middle of the day was warm. It was the perfect combination, like the ingredients of s’mores. His face and head were hurting less today but he still looked like a raccoon. Although washing his face in the shower was still a painful chore. Reminded of chores he wondered when Andrew was going to learn to get up early enough to take the trash out as he was expected to. Michael wheeled the first garbage can down to the curb. He looked up the street and observed that everyone else’s trash was already curbside. As he turned to retrieve the other trash can he noticed someone across the street, partially covered by the neighbor’s sycamore tree. He figured it was another dog walker letting his pet crap all over someone else’s lawn. The Wright’s weren’t pet owners but they liked animals. But it always irked him that people were so rude with their dogs. Why don’t the owners let the dogs crap on their own lawns. Oh yeah, he sarcastically answered himself, because even the dog owners don’t want crap on their lawns. But it was okay to have them do it to somebody else’s property. Assholes.
    As Michael returned with the second trash can, he glanced across the street again. The large man wasn’t walking a dog. He was just standing there staring at Michael. The man’s denim jacket was buttoned all the way up. Even the jacket collars were tilted up. The sloppy dark hair catching the small breeze. Michael placed the can next to the first one at the curb and then looked back at the stranger. A chill of uneasiness ran down his back and he quickly looked away. Michael headed up his driveway a few steps but had to stop as he felt the staring man behind him. He turned and shouted across the street, “Can I help you?”
    The large man stepped behind the tree. He was so large that his body was only partially covered by the massive tree. Michael found that to be an odd move and his uneasiness increased. He felt scared of confronting this guy but after the week he was having his tolerance levels lowered and increased his temper. He started walking back down his short driveway to the street. As he approached, the stranger stepped forward into view. Michael couldn’t believe how big this guy was. It seemed as if he doubled in size within the fifty feet he had covered. The man had a strong jawline and dark eyes that were shadowed by thick eyebrows. His full lips were surrounded by a few days worth of stubble. Michael looked up into his face. “I said, can I help you?”
    The large man glanced up the street then looked back at Michael. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear what you said. I saw you taking out your trash.”
    Michael thought that was an odd response. He felt like he knew this person even though he had never seen him before. “Yeah, most people take their trash out on trash day.” Their eyes were locked together. “I just don’t know why my taking the trash out interests you.”
    “Right. Sorry. I, uh, was walking up the street when you started to bring out your garbage and I, uh, didn’t know what to say.”
    “There’s nothing to say.” Michael searched the man’s intentions. “Do I know you from