Put on his faded olive-gray shirt.
Then pulled the damaged leather vest over his shoulders.
He placed the scorched motorcycle key in his pocket.
And drove to the hospital.
He intended to speak with the social worker first.
But when he reached the boy's room, the child saw him through the doorway.
His face brightened.
"Grandpa Biker!"
The old man stopped.
The boy smiled.
"You're here!"
For one terrible moment, the biker considered turning away.
He wasn't ready.
He didn't know how to confess.
And he feared that telling the truth would destroy the only remaining bond between them.
Then the boy held out his hand.
And the old man walked inside.
The nurse who had overheard the biker's confession did not immediately allow him to leave.
She stepped into the room.
Looked toward the child.
Then gently asked the old man if he could speak with her in the hallway.
The boy looked frightened.
"Is he in trouble?"
The nurse smiled softly.
"We just need to talk for a moment."
The child looked toward the biker.
"Are you coming back?"
The old man's throat tightened.
"Yes."
He paused.
Then added, "If you want me to."
The boy considered.
Then nodded.
The biker followed the nurse into the hallway.
The moment the door closed, his shoulders seemed to collapse.
He looked older than he had a few minutes earlier.
The nurse studied him.
"Sir, what you told him is very serious."
He nodded.
"I know."
"Have you spoken with the fire investigator?"
"Yes."
"Has the child's mother been told?"
The old man lowered his eyes.
"Not yet."
The nurse took a breath.
"Then we need to involve the social worker and make sure his mother receives accurate information."
The biker nodded again.
He looked toward the door.
"I shouldn't have told him like that."
The nurse didn't argue.
The confession had placed an enormous adult burden on a frightened child.
The boy needed reassurance, not the responsibility of deciding whether the old man was guilty or whether his mother deserved forgiveness.
But the nurse also recognized something important.
The biker had finally admitted information that could help correct the family's misunderstanding.
Now the professionals needed to manage what happened next.
She asked him to wait in a nearby consultation room.
Then contacted the hospital social worker.