THE DAYS THAT STARTED TO FEEL LIKE HOME
Chapter 2
At six thirty, Ethan reached Hayes Marine & Auto.
Walter was already there.
The workshop door was open.
A radio played softly somewhere inside.
Ethan stepped in.
Walter looked up from an old engine.
“You’re late.”
Ethan checked the clock.
“It’s six thirty.”
“Exactly.”
“You told me seven.”
Walter shrugged.
“Changed my mind.”
Ethan put the paper bag on the workbench.
“Breakfast.”
Walter looked inside.
“From the bakery?”
“Yeah.”
Walter took one.
“Good.”
He took a bite.
Then looked at Ethan.
“You’re getting soft.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
“Because I brought breakfast?”
“No.”
Walter took another bite.
“Because you bought it.”
Ethan laughed.
“I didn’t.”
Walter stopped chewing.
“What?”
“They gave it to me.”
Walter stared at him.
Then shook his head.
“You’re definitely getting soft.”
Ethan picked up a wrench.
“What’s broken?”
Walter pointed toward a truck.
“That.”
Ethan looked at it.
“What’s wrong?”
“Won’t start.”
“Have you tried turning it on?”
Walter stared at him.
Ethan smiled.
“I had to ask.”
Walter threw a rag at him.
Ethan caught it.
The day began.
No dramatic entrance.
No important announcement.
Just an old truck that refused to start.
And Ethan was beginning to like that.
