He sat in a hospital chair with his knees against his chest.
Bear bought him a sandwich.
Caleb did not touch it.
“You need food.”
“Not hungry.”
“You walked seven miles.”
“I’m fine.”
Bear sat beside him.
“You're eleven.”
“So?”
“So eleven-year-olds aren't allowed to say ‘I'm fine’ after walking seven miles in Arizona because their mother collapsed.”
Caleb looked at him.
“Who made that rule?”
“I did.”
“When?”
“Thirty seconds ago.”
Caleb looked toward Rachel’s room.
“They're going to keep her?”
“Overnight at least.”
“Maybe two.”
Caleb stared at the floor.
Bear understood before the boy asked.
“Where are you going?”
Caleb’s chin trembled.
“I can stay here.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Hospital won't let you sleep in that chair for two days.”
“I can.”
Bear sighed.
“Probably.”
Caleb looked at him suspiciously.
Bear pulled out his phone.
“Do you have anybody?”
“Aunt?”
“Uncle?”
“Grandparents?”
Caleb shook his head.
“My grandmother died.”
“Other side?”
Another shake.
“My mom doesn't talk about Dad's family.”
Bear became very still.
“Your father?”
Caleb shrugged.
“I don't know him.”
“Name?”
Caleb looked toward Rachel’s room.
“Mom doesn't talk about him.”
Bear said nothing.
Doc walked over carrying two coffees.
“What did the doctor say?”
Bear told him.
Doc handed over one cup.
Then looked at Caleb.
“You eat?”
“No.”
“Bear.”
“I tried.”
Doc crouched.
“Kid.”
“What?”
“If you don't eat the sandwich, Bear will.”
Caleb looked at Bear.
“That would be theft.”
Doc smiled.
“Exactly.”
Caleb took the sandwich.
Bear waited until he had eaten half before speaking again.
“Your mother's car is fixed enough to move.”
Caleb looked up.
“Really?”
“Loose cable.”
“Low fuel.”
“One cracked hose Rico temporarily patched.”
“We're towing it back to the clubhouse.”
“Why?”
“Because leaving it beside Route 89 invites somebody less ethical than you.”
Caleb looked offended.
“I was stealing gas.”
“Attempting.”
Doc added:
“Important legal distinction.”
Caleb finished the sandwich.
Hours later, Rachel woke fully.
She found Bear standing near the window.
Her expression hardened immediately.
“Where's Caleb?”
“Asleep.”
Bear pointed toward the chair.
Caleb had curled beneath Bear’s leather jacket.
Rachel relaxed slightly.
Then looked at Bear again.
“Who are you?”
“Jackson Callahan.”
“People call me Bear.”
Her face changed.
Not much.
Enough.
Bear noticed.
“You know that name.”
Rachel looked away.