I appreciated that more than another apology.

That evening, Mrs.

Bell brought tomato pie and asked nothing about the SUVs.

It was the first conversation I’d had all day that did not concern money or lawyers.

She told me the creek flooded every decade and the cabin survived because Silas repaired what needed repairing instead of buying something flashier.

“He listens before he uses a hammer,” she said.

“That’s rarer than a fancy watch.”