Part 4: The Last Warning
Travis took one slow step forward.
Then another.
The grin never left his face.
“You finally picked up the glove,” he said. “I knew you’d find a little courage.”
“I didn’t pick it up for me,” I answered quietly.
“I picked it up because my daughter deserves to remember what happens when a bully mistakes patience for weakness.”
Several neighbors exchanged nervous glances.
Mr. Palmer quietly moved the hot grill away from the crowd.
A mother standing near the sidewalk called her two young boys closer without taking her eyes off Travis.
Even the laughter had disappeared.
Only Grant seemed too proud to notice.
“Stop talking and put the gloves on,” he barked.
“Unless the government desk worker suddenly forgot how to use her hands.”
I ignored him.
My attention stayed on Travis.
His breathing was shallow.
His shoulders were high.
His weight rested too far over his front foot.
He was excited.
Not focused.
He wanted applause more than he wanted control.
That was always dangerous.
For him.
“What’s the matter?” Travis asked.
“You’ve been staring at me for a full minute.”
“I’ve been observing you,” I replied.
He laughed loudly.
“You mean you’re scared.”
