The gong still echoes in his head. Now he hears it even more clearly than during the fight. The gong rang, someone shouted something. Then the faces of Barney and Rex. He sees Ballard’s happy grin too.

  Rory Flint. He doesn’t remember a thing about the kid. Did he congratulate him? What did he look like after the fight ended? Eddie can’t recall any of it.

  The only thing left in his mind is Beatrice, his coworker from the restaurant, trying to get down from the stands to reach him. She wants to congratulate him and show everyone she knows him.

  But he pushed her away too.

  He remembers Stanley in the locker room, heading over to hug him. Eddie didn’t hug back, though. He hopes Stanley isn’t mad at him.

  Rex and Ballard catch up to him and talk. But all their words pass by his ears like they’re not even there.

  Eddie grabs his bag, skips the shower, and is already waiting for a taxi out front.

  It all feels like a dream.

  The cab driver tells him there was some boxing match in town. Eddie stays quiet, not mentioning he just came from there—and that he’s the big winner.

  Now he’s alone in front of his house. It’s quiet inside. He’s afraid to knock. Afraid no one will answer.

  So he lets himself in. The short, narrow hallway is dark. Eddie closes the door behind him and stands there for a moment in the darkness. Deep down, he’s still hoping Theo will babble something in his baby talk or Maisie will dart from room to room, busy with her usual stuff.

  But none of that happens.

  The kitchen’s empty.

  And in the bedroom, Theo’s crib is bare. Some of his little clothes are still stretched out on the bed, but the bag Maisie takes when she goes out with him is gone.

  Eddie doesn’t see the point in looking for more proof. There’s really only one move left.

  She picks up the phone after the fourth ring.

  And stays silent.

  "Maisie?"

  "You won…" She answers quietly, slowly.

  "Yeah, Maisie. I won. No one expected it, but I did. Too bad you didn’t come…"

  "Look, Eddie." She’s calm and sounds guilty. At least that’s how Eddie senses her. "You might’ve noticed, but we left."

  "You left. Theo didn’t want to go."

  "I promised you something, Eddie."

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  "I’m coming to get you."

  "No, Eddie. If you come, I’ll call the police."

  "Put your mom on. Or your dad." Eddie tries not to raise his voice, but the situation’s starting to grate on him. He doesn’t feel good.

  "EDDIE!" Maisie raises her voice too. "I begged you not to fight anymore. I was crystal clear. But you went anyway."

  "And I won. I still don’t see the problem."

  "How many times do I have to explain it’s all the same to me, Eddie? I don’t care if you win or lose! I didn’t want you stepping into that damn ring!" She’s yelling, but her voice is hushed. She’s obviously hiding that she’s talking to him.

  "Fine, I won’t come today. I’ll come tomorrow. I want you back. I didn’t fight for myself, Maisie. I fought for you guys."

  "No. I didn’t want it. And Theo doesn’t understand. You fought for yourself, Eddie. I hope you’re happy with your win now. I’ll come by soon to grab more stuff. Make sure you’re not home so there’s no trouble."

  "I’m coming tomorrow to bring you back. Sleep on it, talk to your parents. What you’re doing is rash."

  "Because your decision was so level-headed, right?" Maisie lets out a quiet laugh. "Leave it be, Eddie. I know you too well. We have this talk every time. And even if you promise now, you’ll break it again."

  "You’re acting like a kid, not a wife. Wait for me there."

  "If you show up, we’ll see each other in court."

  Her words anger him more than they deter him. But she’s not done:

  "Yeah, Eddie. I’m not kidding. I’m ready to make it so you only see Eddie on Saturdays and Sundays. So don’t push me. Come whenever you want to see him, I don’t mind. But don’t do anything stupid. Because I could decide you’re aggressive."

  "I don’t even recognize you…"

  "I warned you, Eddie. Right from the start."

  He’s heard the phrase "Pyrrhic victory" and wonders if this is one. He really didn’t believe all along that Maisie would leave. He was ready for arguments and fights. He even expected days of silence until she got over it. That’s how it usually goes with women. But she actually left?

  His bag’s at his feet, and he’s sitting on the couch in the kitchen, where he often watched Theo play while Maisie rummaged around. Now it feels somehow empty and hollow. And quiet.

  The silence is broken by his phone ringing again. He thinks it’s Maisie, but he’s disappointed to see it’s Barney calling.

  "Champ!"

  "I’m not in the mood, Barney. Really."

  "Something wrong?"

  He doesn’t tell him.

  "Spit it out quick."

  "We’ve reserved the best booth at Club Venus. Just for champions. But since no one here’s one, we need you…"

  "Please, Barney. I’m tired and…" He almost tells him. "I really can’t."

  Eddie hears rustling, and suddenly another voice comes through Barney’s phone.

  "Want your purse?" It’s Rex. "I might’ve forgotten to mention that collecting the money comes with treating us for the big win. And you definitely haven’t seen Ballard in a place like this. The old bastard insisted on coming. They’re looking at him real weird. Bet it’s funny just picturing it."

  "Maisie left, Rex." He can tell him.

  "You coming, Eddie?" Eddie realizes he didn’t hear a word.

  The call cuts out, Eddie tosses the phone aside, and lies back. It’s dark and gloomy. His heart feels like it’s stopped. He’s not anxious. In fact, he feels just like he did against Rory—loose, like he’s got nothing to lose. He’s already lost everything worth losing.

  He wonders if he’d take the fight again if he could turn back time.

  He can’t lie to himself. He’d take it. That’s just who he is.

  And he believes Maisie and Theo will be back with him soon.