“Hey, Tyler. What’s up?”
Tyler shifted awkwardly.
“I wanted to say sorry about yesterday.”
Marcus frowned.
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t say anything when she first started yelling.”
“You weren’t responsible for stopping her.”
“I know. But I just stood there.”
Marcus turned off the hose.
“Tyler, you were in an uncomfortable situation. You didn’t know what was going to happen. You don’t have to put yourself in danger to prove you’re a good person.”
Tyler looked relieved.
“Okay.”
“But when you did speak, you told the truth. That mattered.”
The teenager nodded.
“Thanks.”
He glanced at the Mustang.
“Can I ask something?”
“Sure.”
“Is it really fast?”
Marcus laughed.
“It can be.”
“Can you take me for a ride?”
“Ask your father.”
Tyler’s face brightened.
“Really?”
“If he says yes, and if you wear a seat belt.”
“I will.”
“And I’m not racing anyone.”
“Okay.”
Tyler hurried back toward his house.
Marcus resumed washing the car.
A few minutes later, Tyler’s father appeared on the sidewalk.
“Morning, Marcus.”
“Morning, David.”
David Bennett looked toward the Mustang.
“Tyler tells me you offered to take him for a ride.”
“I told him to ask you.”
David smiled.
“I appreciate that. He’s been talking about the incident all week.”
Marcus nodded.
“I hope it hasn’t caused trouble for him.”
“No. If anything, it gave us a chance to talk about speaking up and staying safe.”
“That’s good.”
David glanced toward Denise’s house.
“She hasn’t been happy.”