Marcus looked back at Eli.
“This bill is the cheap version.”
That was as close as Marcus came to saying he had been wrong.
At least at first.
The real apology came weeks later.
The repair crew had finished for the day.
Eli sat on the fence rail overlooking the partially restored pond.
Marcus joined him carrying two bottles of soda.
He handed one over.
For a while they said nothing.
Then Marcus said, “I should’ve listened sooner.”
Eli looked at him.
His father continued.
“Not believed you. Listened.”
“There’s a difference?”
“Big one.”
He took a drink.
“You could’ve been wrong.”
“I know.”
“I didn’t need to assume you were right.”
Eli waited.
“But I should’ve asked you to show me why you thought it.”
That mattered.
More than Eli expected.
Marcus looked toward the pond.
“I thought I was teaching you not to chase every strange idea.”
“Were you?”