Mack leaned against the workbench.
“That happens.”
Leo looked horrified.
Mack continued gently.
“Doesn’t mean you’re losing him.”
Leo stared.
“It feels like it.”
“You remember what he taught you?”
“Yes.”
“How he worked?”
“Yes.”
“How he treated people?”
Leo nodded.
“Then his voice changed shape.”
Leo looked back at the photograph.
That night, he placed it on the desk in his small room.
Beside Sully’s lighter.
At nineteen, Leo graduated from high school.
Barely above average.
He did not care.
Neither did the thirty-two motorcycle riders who showed up to his graduation.
The principal cared considerably.
Sully promised everyone would behave.
Mostly, they did.
Angela Ruiz stood near the parking lot after the ceremony.
Leo approached in his cap and gown.
“You came.”
“You invited me.”
“I didn’t think you would.”
“Terrible invitation strategy.”
Leo smiled.
Then hugged her.
Angela froze.
Leo nearly pulled away.
She hugged him back.
“Thank you,” he said.
“For what?”
“You were the first person from the system who asked what I wanted and actually waited for the answer.”
Angela looked at him.
“I’m sorry nobody did it sooner.”
Leo nodded.
“Me too.”
He enrolled in a motorcycle technology program the following fall.
Part of tuition came from state vocational assistance.
Part from a scholarship.
The rest came from a fund quietly created by riders across several chapters.
Leo discovered it when he received the payment notice.
He confronted Sully.
“What is this?”
“Tuition.”
“I can read.”
“Proud of you.”
“I told you I don’t want charity.”
Sully’s expression changed.
“Good.”