“Then explain it.”
Evan glared at him.
“Stay out of it.”
“Evan.”
He went quiet.
I picked up the envelope.
“Why would you give Cal your entire paycheck?”
Evan answered too quickly.
“Because I owed him.”
Cal slapped one palm against the counter.
“There! That’s what he always says.”
“I did owe you.”
“For what?”
“For helping me.”
Cal stared at him.
“You helped me carry twelve boxes of potatoes last month.”
Evan’s jaw tightened.
“So?”
“So am I supposed to hand over my retirement check?”
“That’s different.”
“Why?”
“Because it is.”
I looked at Mr. Alvarez.
“Can somebody please explain this?”
The diner owner leaned against the register.
“How much do you think Evan has saved toward the bike?”
The question caught me off guard.
“I don’t know.”
I glanced at my son.
“He keeps saying he’s almost there.”
Mr. Alvarez nodded.
“That’s what he tells us too.”
