“Choose a number. One through ten.” “One,” I say immediately. It seems like the safest answer. He uses one hand to lightly paddle the waiting palm of the other, and his tongue rolls against his cheek as he considers me. It’s playful and threatening all at once. A cruel smile is splayed across his face. “Great. We’ll start with ten paddles. You only get one break.” Well, that’s not the answer I was hoping for by choosing one …
