Denise brought the number for an appliance repair service that would offer a discount if we paid the bill promptly.

The repair was possible, but the volunteer schedule still looked like a patchwork blanket full of holes.

Then a quiet man named Hector Ruiz raised his hand.

He drove a school bus and finished his route at four.

He offered to cover Mondays and Wednesdays.

Sylvia could cover Tuesdays.

The library already had supervised space on Thursdays.

“What about Friday?” I asked.