Then he exhaled.
The cruiser remained where it was.
The driver looked toward the traffic signal.
Nothing happened.
The light turned green.
The cruiser proceeded through the intersection.
So did he.
A mile later, his phone rang through the car's hands-free system.
It was his niece.
"Uncle, I forgot to tell you something."
"What?"
"I talked to the engineering teacher today."
"About your project?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"She wants me to help run a beginner workshop next semester."
The engineer smiled.
"That's wonderful."
"I told her I wasn't sure I knew enough."
"What did she say?"
"She said nobody knows everything."
He laughed.
"Smart teacher."
His niece hesitated.
"Do you think I should do it?"
He glanced toward the open road.
"Do you want to?"
"Yes."
"Then do it."
"What if I make mistakes?"
"You will."
She groaned.
"You're supposed to encourage me."
"I am."
He smiled.
"Mistakes are inevitable. The important part is learning how to recognize them, correct them, and keep going."
She was quiet for a moment.
Then she said, "That's what you did, isn't it?"
The engineer looked toward the fading sky.
"With some things."
She continued.
"After the police officer broke your watch."
He swallowed.
"Yes."
"I used to think the important part of that story was when his radio stopped working."
The engineer considered her words.
"A lot of people did."
"But now I think the important part was that you didn't give up after everything happened."
He felt his eyes sting.
"That's a good way to look at it."
His niece laughed softly.
"You're getting emotional."
"Am not."
"Yes, you are."
He smiled.
"Drive me crazy, why don't you?"
She laughed.
Then she said something that stayed with him.
"I'm glad you still wear the watch."
He looked at his wrist.
"So am I."
They said goodnight.
He continued home.
By the time he reached his driveway, the last light had vanished behind the rooftops.
He parked.
Stepped out.
Adjusted his prosthesis.
And walked toward the front door.
Inside, the dining room was quiet.
The diagnostic terminal rested on its charging stand.
A stack of engineering reports waited beside his laptop.
There were tools on the workbench and a half-repaired radio near the window.