He kept saying to call anyway, but I wanted to get Gavin out myself first.”

His voice cracked.

“I thought if I just moved one more piece of concrete, we’d be okay.”

The rescue captain later confirmed that another collapse could have caused far worse injuries.

Hearing it from an adult, in daylight, stripped away whatever adventure the boys had attached to the place.

Toby’s hands shook again.

Gavin turned his face into his pillow.

I stood between them and wished I could travel backward eight weeks.