Tears burned behind Caleb’s eyes. He swallowed hard and nodded.
—I don’t know what to say —he whispered.
—Say yes —Megan said, laughing through her tears—. That’s what you say.
Caleb looked at her, at the hope lighting her face, and then back at Grant.
—Yes —he said, the word feeling like a door opening—. I’ll do it. I’ll give it everything I’ve got.
A New Name on the Front of the Building
Two months later, the building in South Phoenix didn’t look like the same place.
Fresh paint covered the walls that had once been stained and peeling. Bright LED lights lit the service bays. Safety signs were actually posted where people could see them —and followed. A break room with functioning air conditioning and real chairs had replaced the old corner with the rusty vending machine.
Above the front office, new letters gleamed in the sunlight:
Ellison Fleet Center — Managed by Caleb Harris
Inside, Caleb sat at a desk he was still getting used to, reviewing schedules and invoices. He wore a clean polo with his name embroidered on it, and his hands, while never completely free of calluses, no longer carried fresh cuts every day.
Laughter echoed from the service bay.
—Uncle Caleb!
The voice was small and bright. Caleb turned just in time to see Lily —now pink-cheeked and full of energy— racing through the doorway. She wore a T-shirt with cartoon clouds on it and sneakers that lit up when she ran.
Grant followed at a more measured pace, hands in his pockets, watching his daughter with a kind of quiet awe.
Lily flung her arms around Caleb’s waist, nearly knocking him backward.
—Dad says you’re the boss here —she announced proudly.
Caleb scooped her up, just like he had that first day on the sidewalk, but this time her laughter filled the air instead of silence and fear.
—Something like that —he said with a grin—. I just make sure all the grown-ups do what they’re supposed to.
