Daniel closed his eyes.
"Of course."
She continued.
"And glue."
"Naturally."
"And maybe a blue marker."
He looked toward the ceiling.
"Anything else?"
Lucy considered.
"A functioning parent who remembers to check the school messages."
Daniel laughed.
He placed his keys on the counter.
"That sounds expensive."
Lucy smiled.
Then looked toward him.
"How was work?"
"Fine."
"Anything interesting?"
He thought about the woman with the burgundy motorcycle.
Then shrugged.
"Helped a visitor with an old bike."
"Did you charge her?"
"No."
Lucy rolled her eyes.
"Dad."
"What?"
"You keep doing that."
"Doing what?"
"Fixing things for free."
He smiled.
"Not everything."
She pointed toward the refrigerator.
"Last week you fixed Mr. Patterson's truck for twenty dollars."
"He only needed a hose."
"And the week before, you helped Mrs. Alvarez replace her battery."
"She bought the battery."
Lucy stared.
Daniel laughed.
"All right, all right."
She crossed her arms.
"Grandpa Arthur says people should pay you for skilled work."
"Grandpa Arthur is usually right."
"Then listen to him."
Daniel walked around the table and kissed the top of her head.
"I'll try."
Lucy frowned.
"That means no."
He laughed.
Then reached for the shopping list.
"Come on. Let's rescue your science project."
As they left the house, Daniel thought again about the woman named Nora.
He remembered her eyes.
The strange sadness in them.
And the way she had hesitated before shaking his hand.
Then Lucy began explaining her science project in exhausting detail.
He forgot the stranger.
At least until she came back.
Nora returned to the garage six days later.
This time, the motorcycle was running perfectly.
Daniel stood beside the workbench sorting tools when he heard the engine.
He looked up.
The burgundy motorcycle rolled slowly into the gravel lot.
The rider stopped.
Removed her helmet.
And smiled.
"Good afternoon."
Daniel grinned.
"Bike behaving?"
"So far."
He wiped his hands on a rag.
"What brings you back?"
Nora hesitated.
She had rehearsed several explanations.
None sounded convincing.
Finally, she held out a paper bag.
"I brought you lunch."
Daniel stared.
"What?"