The boy watched him.
"Grandpa, why don't we fix it?"
The old man smiled sadly.
"Because sometimes knowing how isn't the same as having the strength."
The boy lowered his eyes.
The grandfather gently squeezed his shoulder.
"That doesn't mean we give up."
A few days later, the dealer's tow truck arrived.
The tractor was carefully loaded.
The old man stood on the porch watching.
The boy remained beside him.
For a moment, the grandfather looked almost frightened.
Then he took the boy's hand.
"She'll be back."
The child nodded.
"You promise?"
The old man looked toward the green hood disappearing onto the truck.
Then smiled.
"I'll do everything I can."
It was the last time the grandfather saw his tractor.
The dealer called two weeks later.
His voice was serious.
He said the engine was ruined.
The grandfather sat at the kitchen table with the telephone pressed against his ear.
The boy was doing homework nearby.
His mother stood at the sink.
When the old man heard the diagnosis, he straightened.
"Ruined?"
The dealer explained that the engine had suffered catastrophic internal damage.
He described a major mechanical failure.
Claimed the repairs would cost more than the tractor was worth.
And recommended scrapping it.
The grandfather frowned.
"What tests did you do?"
The dealer sighed.
"Everything necessary."
The old man leaned forward.
"Compression?"
The dealer hesitated.
Then claimed the engine could not be evaluated normally because of its condition.
The grandfather's expression hardened.
"Did you remove the cylinder head?"
"No need."
"Did you inspect the crankcase?"
Another pause.
The dealer became impatient.
"Listen, I've been doing this for decades."
The old man looked toward his notebook.
"So have I."
The dealer laughed.
"That tractor's finished."
The grandfather took a slow breath.
"Send me the diagnostic report."
The dealer agreed.
Three days later, an invoice arrived.
It listed inspection charges, transportation fees, equipment storage, and a recommendation for a complete engine rebuild.
The total was unexpectedly high.
The grandfather reviewed the document.
Then circled several items.
The charges included work he had not authorized.
The repair description was vague.
And no meaningful diagnostic measurements were attached.
He called the dealership.
Requested an explanation.
The dealer insisted everything was legitimate.
The grandfather disputed the charges.
He asked for the tractor to be returned.