Marcus began thinking about it more than he wanted.
One December morning, he saw Rachel walking the bike past garage instead of riding.
He stepped outside.
“What happened?”
“Road’s slick.”
“Good choice.”
She looked surprised.
“You’re not going to lecture?”
“About not riding on ice?”
“No.”
He looked toward her work shoes.
“You walking all way?”
“Three miles.”
“In twelve degrees?”
“It’s okay.”
“No.”
Rachel’s face tightened immediately.
Not angry yet.
“Marcus.”
He knew that tone.
“Wait.”
He went inside.
Returned with keys.
“My truck.”
“No.”
“Not asking you to take it.”
“I’m driving.”
“No.”
“Rachel.”
“I can walk.”
“I know.”
“That isn’t point.”
She stared.
Marcus sighed.
He had learned from her.
“Would you accept a ride?”
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Good.
Ask.
He drove her to work.
Caleb stayed home asleep with a neighbor checking before school.
During the drive Rachel said:
“I cannot have you doing this every snow day.”
“I know.”
“The bus still doesn’t run early.”
“I know.”
“I’m saving for another car.”
“How much?”
She looked at him.
“No.”
“What?”
“You’re not fixing this.”
Marcus almost smiled.
“I was asking.”
“You ask like person holding wrench.”
“Occupational.”
Rachel stared out window.
“Two thousand.”
“For what?”
“Something that runs.”
“That budget buys something that runs until Tuesday.”
“I know.”
She sighed.
“I had three.”
“Then Caleb needed glasses.”
Marcus nodded.
No pity.
Just information.
Rachel continued:
“I’ll get there.”
“I know.”
He dropped her at rehabilitation center.
Before she got out, she said:
“Thank you.”
Marcus nodded.
Then:
“Rachel.”
She turned.
“If weather’s like this tomorrow, call.”
She almost refused.
Then remembered.
“Okay.”
Winter created a pattern.
Not every day.
Only when unsafe.
Sometimes Dean drove.
Sometimes Luis.
Once Rachel took a taxi and Marcus said nothing because accepting help did not mean depending on same people.
Caleb continued Saturdays.
In January, he bought his first bicycle.
Using twenty-seven dollars.
Almost.
At a church yard sale, he found a small red mountain bike.
Price: thirty-five.
Rear tire flat.