“You didn't take his money?”
“No, ma’am.”
“And all these men…”
“Also refused his money.”
Mason leaned closer.
“We tried to charge him twelve.”
Cole glared.
Noah laughed.
His mother didn't.
Mason stepped backward.
“Bad timing.”
Eventually she smiled.
Barely.
“Thank you.”
Cole nodded.
“Didn't do much.”
She looked through the cafeteria doors at the riders.
“You brought forty-seven people.”
“Forty-six.”
“What?”
Cole pointed at himself.
“I'm number forty-seven.”
That made her laugh.
The lunch period went quickly.
When she had to leave, Noah walked her to the entrance.
She crouched again.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“Actually okay?”
He looked toward Cole.
Cole was explaining something about motorcycle engines to three fourth graders.
“Yeah.”
His mother followed his gaze.
“Don't get on a motorcycle.”
“I won't.”
“Don't accept anything expensive.”
“I won't.”
“Don't disappear.”
“I won't.”
She hugged him.
“I love you.”
“Love you too.”
As she walked toward her old sedan, Cole approached.
She stopped.
He handed her a folded piece of paper.
“What’s this?”
“My number.”
She looked suspicious.
“In case he ever walks into another diner trying to hire strangers.”
She laughed.
Then looked toward Noah.
“He misses having men around.”
Cole nodded.
“I figured.”
“My brother lives in Oregon.”
“Okay.”
“His father…”
“I know.”
She looked surprised.
Cole continued.
“Only what Noah told me.”
She nodded.
“He was a good dad.”
Cole said nothing.
“He wasn't perfect.”
“None of us are.”
“But he showed up.”
Cole looked toward Noah again.
“That matters.”
She folded the phone number.
“I don't know what Noah expects after today.”
“Neither do I.”
“I can't promise anything.”
“Wasn't asking.”
She studied him.
Then placed the number inside her purse.
“Thank you.”
“You already said that.”
“I mean it again.”
Cole nodded.
“So do we.”
Family Day ended at two thirty.
Most guests left gradually.
The bikers stayed until Noah boarded his school bus.
Cole stood near the curb.
Noah hesitated before climbing the steps.
“You’ll still be at the diner?”
“Usually.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Probably.”
“Saturday?”
Cole smiled.
“Noah.”
“What?”
“We're not disappearing.”
The boy stared at him.
“You promise?”
Cole’s smile disappeared.
He understood the weight of that word.
“I won't promise what I can't control.”
Noah’s face fell slightly.
Cole continued.
“But if I'm breathing and able to answer the phone, you can find me.”
Noah considered that.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”