Backfire by J.R. Tate

McGinnis?”
    Looking up, he patted the folder against his leg.  “This is just all happening so fast.  Now that it’s actually happening tomorrow, I…” He raked his hand through his hair. “I just don’t know.”
    She took her reading glasses off.  “You’re doing the right thing. You both are going to benefit from this.”
    Michael stared at her a few seconds.  “How so?  What if I go in there and Viper plays me again?  What if I just…”
    “Michael, I really don’t feel that you can get to a worse place than you are right now with your resentment toward the man.  You don’t have much to lose.  If it does go bad, just tell the guard you want to leave.  The fact that Viper wants to have a visit too is a good sign.  He’s had a lot of time to think about things.”
    “Oh, so did you personally talk to him?” He stood up and began to pace. 
    “No, but I know the person in charge of inmate visits very well.”
    “You say he’s had a lot of time to think.”  He paused and put his hands on the back of the chair as he stood behind it. “What if he’s conjured up some new plan and this is his first step in it?”
    Dr. Bowen’s brow creased and she motioned back toward the chair. “Please sit down.  You’re overanalyzing all of this.  Viper is behind bars.  There’s nothing he can do to you now.  This is part of your PTSD, reliving what happened and fearing it will again.  I think once you get there and see, it’ll only be good for you.”
    “I really hope you’re right.”
    “This might sound crazy, but even if it turns out not being a good situation, you’re going to benefit from it. Psychology is comp lex and a gradual process to good mental health.  You’ve gotta climb a lot of hills.”
    Michael just stared back at her, unsure of what to respond with.  He hated the psychobabble crap he continuously heard from her, but as Captain Rooker said, there was a reason she had a PhD.  It was too late to back out now.
     
    ***
     
    He didn’t sleep a wink that night.  He spent most of his time nestled against Eva, and though she was a wild sleeper, he found great comfort with her next to him.  He would think up different scenarios that could happen when he saw Viper for the first time since everything had happened.  In his mind, all he could come up with was that Viper was devising some evil plan and he was the innocent pawn in his games again.  Michael felt vulnerable, as if he was stupid and naïve and Viper was going to play him just as easy as he had before.  What was he thinking in agreeing to this?
    Since visiting hours weren’t until one, the morning crept along slowly.  He went for a long run, still unhappy with how off pace he was.   He worked on so me minor things around the apartment .  At around twelve thirty he made his way to Rikers Island.  Traffic was decent, so the commute over was about forty-five minutes.  He showed the needed paperwork to the guard at the entrance and went inside , his heart pounding so hard that he could swear everyone around him probably heard it. 
    He turned in everything and they gave him a visitor nametag.  They checked him for any prohibited items.  The long lines were a hassle, and it was after three before he even got into a vi sitation room.  There was a rectangular table that would be what separated him and Viper. A guard would be right outside the room, and even with that, Michael didn’t feel safe.
    After another long wait he heard talking on the other side of the door, and in walked Viper.  He was in department of corrections issued clothing , and to Michael’s surprise, his long hair had been cut short.  Michael’s mouth went dry at the sight of him.  His palms were so sweaty that he could feel the moisture through his jeans.  He tried to calm himself down in fear of Viper seeing it.
    Slowly walking to the table, Viper extended his hand for Michael to shake.  Almost returning the gesture, Michael just stared