MICHAEL

The lights in the clinic are far too white, drilling directly into my skull as if they intend to complete the work that my headache began. I sit on the edge of the examination table with my elbows on my knees and my fingers locked together, trying to keep my jaw muscles tight enough to keep my teeth from grinding.

My head is pounding at regular, deliberate increments as if to serve as a reminder that not every event is within my control.

Ron is standing by the window with his arms crossed, looking at the parking lot as if we were in a war zone. Levi is leaning...