Ethan’s face lit up like someone had flipped a switch. “Really? You’d do that?”
“Sure. If your dad says it’s okay.”
Thomas looked overwhelmed but nodded. “That would be… yeah, that would be great.”
Marcus stayed another hour, looking at more of Ethan’s drawings, listening to Lily’s rambling stories about kindergarten, and drinking more of Thomas’s terrible coffee. When he finally left, promising to return soon, he felt something he hadn’t experienced in years. Purpose.
Riding back toward Phoenix as the sun began its descent toward the horizon, Marcus found himself thinking about the conversation with Thomas, about being someone worth modeling after, about promises and responsibility, and the strange way life had of giving you second chances when you least expected them.
His phone rang. Hands-free system kicking in through his helmet speakers. Rick’s voice filled his ears. “Marcus, man, where are you? We’ve got a run to Reno this weekend. Big rally, lots of clubs showing up. Danny’s already loading his bike.”
“I can’t make it,” Marcus said, the words coming easier than he expected.
“What? Why not?”
“I’ve got something I need to take care of here.”
There was surprise in Danny’s voice when he answered. “This about that kid?”
“Yeah, him and his family. They need help, and I… I want to help them.”
Another pause, longer this time. “Marcus, you know I love you like a brother, but you’re not responsible for every broken family you come across. You can’t save everyone.”