I let the silence settle, grateful that he had asked me instead of searching the internet alone.

PART 18

The Conversation at the Repair Bench

One afternoon during Gavin’s recovery, Walter asked Brenda and me to visit the new workshop space before the official opening.

The room smelled of fresh paint and machine oil.

The bicycle shop owner had installed a workbench at a height the boys could use safely, and somebody had donated a cabinet that locked.

Walter laid three damaged chains on the bench and invited Toby to inspect them.