Jimmy gauged the passing days by measuring the decreased swelling of his nose and the fading of his bruises. It took over a week for him to feel comfortable facing his own reflection. His nose remained tender and his ribs hitched if he moved the wrong way, but he was thankful he looked like himself again.

The furniture on the patio by the pool was all replaced, and Cold had the concrete refinished to hide all evidence of the firefight. Jimmy still hadn’t been out there since, and he wasn’t sure when he’d feel up to it.