Greg rolled onto his side, coughing violently, vomiting a thin stream of saliva onto the grass. He scrambled backward like a crab, clutching his throat, his face a mask of horror and humiliation.

Chloe finally unfroze and rushed to him. He shoved her away. He staggered up, chest heaving, spittle flying from his lips. The humiliation was already mutating into venom.

“You crazy bitch!” he shrieked, his voice cracking. He pointed a trembling finger. “That was a cheap shot! You could have killed me! You’re nothing but a pathetic desk jockey who learned a dirty trick!

You sit behind a computer while real men put their lives on the line!”

“Greg, please, stop!” Chloe begged, pulling at his arm.

“No! She embarrassed me!” He looked at Leo, who was staring at me with wide, unblinking eyes. “Your mother is a fraud! A glorified secretary!”