His expression changed.
"I'm listening."
She squeezed his fingers.
"I need you."
Daniel felt tears rise.
He nodded.
"I know, sweetheart."
Then he made a decision that should have been simple but felt enormous.
He called Ethan.
And told him to manage the garage while he recovered.
Ethan's response was immediate.
"About time."
Daniel laughed weakly.
"You're supposed to argue."
"No, boss. You're supposed to stay out of my way for two weeks."
"Two weeks?"
"Start there. Do what your doctor says."
Daniel smiled.
"You're enjoying this."
"Tremendously."
Then Ethan's voice softened.
"Seriously, Dan. We can handle it. Just get better."
Daniel closed his eyes.
"Thank you."
He ended the call.
Then looked toward Lucy.
She smiled faintly.
"See?"
He nodded.
"Apparently the world can function without me holding a wrench."
Arthur grunted.
"I've been telling you that for twenty years."
Nora did not visit again without asking.
She sent a message through Arthur on the following morning.
Please tell Daniel I'm grateful he's recovering. I understand if he needs time. I won't come unless he wants me there.
Arthur read it aloud.
Daniel lay quietly for several seconds.
Then nodded.
"That's fair."
The old man studied him.
"You want to talk about her?"
Daniel looked toward the window.
"I don't know."
Arthur pulled out a chair.
"Then don't."
For a while, they watched the rain.
Then Daniel spoke.
"She was the first person who ever made me feel like I belonged somewhere."
Arthur looked toward him.
Daniel continued.
"We were kids. I know that sounds foolish."
"It doesn't."
He stared at his hands.
"Then she vanished."
Arthur nodded.
"I remember you being miserable."
Daniel gave a sad smile.
"You didn't say much."
"Didn't know what to say."
The old man looked toward him.
"Sometimes I thought there was trouble in that family. People were talking about money. Business failure. I figured they'd gone somewhere they didn't want the town knowing about."
Daniel closed his eyes.
"She says her father took her away."
"Could be true."
"She says she wrote."
Arthur nodded.
"Could be true too."
Daniel looked toward him.
"But she didn't tell me who she was when she came back."
"No."
Arthur waited.
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"That's what hurts."
The older man leaned back.
For several seconds, he considered his words.
Then he spoke.
"Daniel, the boy you were has every reason to hurt."
Daniel looked up.
Arthur continued.