I try to avoid them if I can. There's so much that can be settled by just talking things out. Problem is, I think I'm in a minority there. Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, there's just no getting away from it. But I found out early on that if I can convince the big guys that I'm from the same town or the same neighborhood - guys like my friend Kurdy - then they like me a little better. And I can avoid a confrontation. It's saved my life more than once.

But other times? So many other times, when God gives me a message to deliver? Or tells me to do something? I have to do it, no matter what. No matter who it pisses off. Or the consequences. Times like that, I'm just as likely to be the one forcing the confrontation. Because of the message that needs to be heard. I hate when that happens but there's nothing I can do about it. Not a damned thing, even when it tears me up inside. It's just part of my job. Or my curse.