bsolutely。 I just wanted to see Jacob—I haven't seen him in forever。〃
Jacob's eyes brightened at my words。 He was smiling so big it looked like it
would hurt his cheeks。
〃Can you stay for dinner？〃 Billy was eager； too。
〃No； I've got to feed Charlie； you know。〃
〃I'll call him now；〃 Billy suggested。 〃He's always invited。〃
I laughed to hide my disfort。 〃It's not like you'll never see me again。 I
promise I'll be back again
soon—so much you'll get sick of me。〃 After all； if Jacob could fix the bike；
someone had to teach me
how to ride it。
Billy chuckled in response。 〃Okay； maybe next time。〃
〃So； Bella； what do you want to do？〃 Jacob asked。
〃Whatever。 What were you doing before I interrupted？〃 I was strangely
fortable here。 It was familiar；
but only distantly。 There were no painful reminders of the recent past。
Jacob hesitated。 〃I was just heading out to work on my car； but we can do
something else〃
〃No； that's perfect！〃 I interrupted。 〃I'd love to see your car。〃
〃Okay；〃 he said； not convinced。 〃It's out back； in the garage。〃
Even better； I thought to myself。 I waved at Billy。 〃See you later。〃
A thick stand of trees and shrubbery concealed his garage from the house。 The
garage was no more than
a couple of big preformed sheds that had been bolted together with their
interior walls knocked out。
Under this shelter； raised on cinder blocks； was what looked to me like a
pleted automobile。 I
recognized the symbol on the grille； at least。
〃What kind of Volkswagen is that？〃 I asked。
〃It's an old Rabbit—1986； a classic。〃
〃How's it going？〃
〃Almost finished；〃 he said cheerf