“Foot pedal and two new marine batteries included,” Nate said, his ears turning a little pink as he spoke.

“Carburetor was rebuilt last May.”

“She start up smooth on cold mornings?” the man asked.

“First pull every time,” Nate said, his thumb pressed hard against his index finger.

“A boat just sits when you work sixteen hours a day,” Nate added in his slow, mechanical voice, not looking at me.

The buyer counted out thirty-six hundred dollars in crisp hundred-dollar bills right onto the flat top of the motor cover.

Nate picked up the stack of bills, unbuttoned his work shirt pocket, and slid the cash deep inside.