I knocked on Ruth's door and waited for her to answer. As soon as she opened the door, the smile on her face slipped and her eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

“What happened?”

“Oh, you mean this thing?” I touched the side of my face. “It’s nothing really. You should see the other guy.”

It was a lame attempt at a joke that did not seem to amuse her.

She grabbed my arm and pulled me into her room. She set me on her bed and pulled out ...