Noah walked across the dry autumn grass and stepped up onto the concrete path.

His right hand stayed clamped tight over his left sleeve.

“Where’d you ride your bike this week?” Michael asked.

Noah looked down at the ground by Derek’s heavy leather work boots.

“Only on the sidewalk,” Noah said.

His voice came out as a soft, unsure whisper.

He said the word sidewalk twice more.

“Did you ride it near the house on Maple Street?” Derek asked.