“I don't know, man. It's sad.” I continued watching, almost unaware of my surroundings. “You know, there is a part of him that’s good, and, naturally, you want to root for that side. It seems like they’re still rooting for it.” As the girls walked back, Lexi shook her head while Staisha sobbed and screamed before punching Sam in the chest. “Don’t you see what you do to the people who love you?!” Once the girls were inside, I pushed a button to close the automatic sliding door. “I love you, Sam,” I uttered without looking at him. I pressed hard on the gas. He tried to grab the door handle and run alongside Bessie. I sped up, swerved. Through the rearview mirror, I saw him and his half-empty bottle of Bacardi crash onto the street. When we were safely away, I spoke. “I think that’s the last time I’ll ever see him.” The only response I got was quiet weeping coming from the back of the minivan. PLAINS 62 paradox