He thought about the young boy's watch.
A cheap plastic object.
Almost worthless in a pawnshop.
But priceless to the child who wore it.
He remembered the officer's accusation.
Someone like you couldn't afford that.
The officer had mistaken price for value.
Then he had mistaken social status for dignity.
The engineer understood both errors more clearly now than he had on the day of the stop.
The silver watch mattered because of the life behind it.
The cheap watch mattered because of the father who had given it to his son.
Neither object's meaning could be determined by a stranger glancing at it on a roadside.
He gathered the tools.
Closed the workshop.
And drove to his mother's apartment.
His mother was waiting with dinner.
She had prepared his favorite meal, although she insisted there was no special occasion.
His sister arrived with his niece shortly afterward.
The apartment filled with conversation.
Someone complained about traffic.
Someone else argued about a basketball game.
His niece described a new electronics project she wanted to enter in a statewide competition.
His mother asked whether he was eating enough vegetables.
He pretended not to hear.
For nearly two hours, nobody mentioned the former officer.
Nobody mentioned the traffic stop.
Nobody mentioned the video that had once made their family the subject of public attention.
Then, while clearing the dishes, his mother noticed the silver watch.
She reached for his hand.
"May I?"
He nodded.
She turned his wrist gently.
The case was smooth except for the small dent he had asked the watchmaker to preserve.
She studied it.
"I remember the day they gave this to you."
"So do I."
"You looked so uncomfortable standing on that stage."
He laughed.
"I hated making speeches."
"You still do."
"That's true."
She smiled.
Then her expression softened.
"I used to worry about you every time you went out after what happened."
He looked at her.
"I know."
"I was afraid some other officer would stop you. Or that somebody would recognize you and start an argument."
He remained quiet.
She rubbed her thumb gently over the watchband.
"But lately, when I see you leaving the house, you look more like yourself."
He considered that.