Summary

Chapter 8, “Ascension,” returns to the past and Isaiah’s actions after his visit to Frankie’s. After eating and thinking about the robber, he decided to go to the gym to take a break. Ari, the gym’s owner, greeted him and proceeded to practice a form of martial arts called Krav Maga with Isaiah. When Isaiah had first started to learn it at the age of 19, he had told Ari that he did not want to kill anyone. Ari had responded that he might want to at some point. Now, Ari pushes Isaiah so far in the lesson that Ari’s daughter has to make him stop. She tells him “You don’t have to fight anymore, Papa” (159).

After the gym Isaiah went home, showered, listened to music and thought about what Frankie said Marcus had done to him. Ruffin comforted him...