Chapter 5: What We Actually Wanted

"A written apology," I said.

"Addressed to Jake.

Acknowledging that you damaged his property and that your comment about the permits was inappropriate."

Gary stared at me.

"You're serious."

"Very."

"And if I don't?"

Jake spoke before I could.

"Then I send the recording to the neighborhood association.

And to your insurance company, since you told my dad there was no claim to make.

And I post it."

Gary's eyes narrowed.

"Post it where?"

"Everywhere," Jake said.

Calm as ever.

There was a long silence.

A car passed on the street behind us.

Somewhere down the block, a lawnmower started up.

"This is extortion," Gary said.

"Asking for an apology isn't extortion," I said.

"Threatening a child to avoid paying for damage you caused — that's closer to the line."

Gary looked at Jake for a long moment.

I could see him trying to find the angle, the leverage, the way out that cost him nothing.

There wasn't one.

"Fine," he said.

"I'll write something."

"Today," Jake said.

Gary's mouth tightened.

"Today."

We waited on the porch.

Gary disappeared inside for about ten minutes.

When he came back, he was holding a single sheet of paper, handwritten.

He held it out to Jake without making eye contact.

Jake read it.

Then he handed it to me.

It was short.

Three sentences.

It acknowledged the bike.

It acknowledged the comment about the permits.

It said both were wrong.

It wasn't warm.

It wasn't gracious.

But it was specific, and it was signed.

Jake folded it carefully and put it in his jacket pocket.

"Thank you," he said.

Same tone as the day before.

Polite.

Measured.

We walked back to our yard.

I waited until we were inside before I said anything.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." Jake set his jacket on the chair and sat down on the couch.

For the first time since Saturday morning, he looked his age.

Twelve.

A little tired.

A little relieved.

"That was a lot," I said.

"It was." He leaned his head back.

"Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we go look at bikes this weekend?"

I laughed.

It came out louder than I expected.

"Yeah, buddy.

We can go look at bikes."

He nodded, satisfied, and reached for the TV remote.

I sat down next to him, and for a few minutes we just watched whatever was on without talking.

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I thought the whole thing was finished.

I was wrong.