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red. That very thought had run through his head earlier this morning. But it wasn’t true. He knew that now. Daniel wasn’t anywhere near poor. So he said, “I brought it because it’s a good jacket and . . . and it’s stupid to let something go to waste, that’s all.”
    â€œYou callin’ me stupid?”
    Phil felt the anger rising in his chest, but he choked it back. “No. Look, I’m sorry I grabbed you, okay? So just take the jacket.”
    â€œSo I just take the jacket, and then you’re done with your good deed for the day, right?”
    With his nostrils flared and his lips trembling with anger, Phil almost spit the words: “Take it, don’t take it, wear it, don’t wear it—I don’t care! There!” He threw the jacket at Daniel’s feet. “I’m outta here.”
    Phil was down the stairs and at the front door before Daniel caught up to him.
    â€œHey!”
    Phil swung around, his head low, shoulders hunched, fists ready.
    Daniel had the jacket under one arm, and he held up his other hand, palm out. “Hey . . . it’s okay. I shouldn’t have messed with you.”
    Phil put his hands down, still breathing hard.
    Daniel said, “You coming here took some guts.” He smiled. “And how’d you get through Carter Terrace? All those boarded-up buildings? Not a nice place to walk.”
    Phil smiled. “Like I said, I didn’t walk. I ran.”
    Nodding, Daniel said, “I would too.”
    A swinging door opened behind Daniel, and Lucy stuck her head out and said, “Lunchtime, boys. Daniel, you show Philip where to wash his hands.”
    Phil said, “I . . . I’ve got to get going.”
    Lucy shook her head. “No you don’t, because I just talked to your mother, and I told her I’ll be driving you home after you eat, and that’s that. Daniel, you show Philip where to wash his hands.”
    Lucy did most of the talking during lunch, which was fine with Phil. His long run had made him hungry. The bread was fresh, the peanut butter was smooth, the sliced apples were crunchy, and once Daniel started dipping his Oreo cookies in his milk, Phil did too. Everything tasted great, and Phil thought, Just like lunch at home. Same stuff. And Phil didn’t want to feel surprised about that, but he was. He had thought everything would be so different here. And it wasn’t. It just wasn’t.
    Daniel rode along in the car when Lucy drove Phil home after lunch, the two boys buckled into the backseat of the little Honda. When they drove by the derelict buildings, Daniel said, “Better to ride right past this place.”
    And Phil nodded. “Yeah.”
    Other than that, they didn’t talk. But there was no strain in the silence because neither boy was waiting for anything.
    Daniel wasn’t looking for more words. Phil had already said he was sorry. Twice. Because sometimes sorry has to be said twice. Sometimes even more.
    And Phil wasn’t waiting for Daniel to say thanks. Because it wasn’t needed. It was understood.
    When Phil got out of the car in front of his house, Lucy leaned over so she could look up into his face. “I’ve got things all settled with your mom. She wasn’t happy about you running that far from home, but I got her calmed down.”
    Phil made a sheepish face and said, “Thanks, Lucy. I owe you one.” Then he looked at Daniel and smiled. “See ya round.”
    And Daniel nodded and said, “Later.”
    Phil started to shut the door, but then he leaned down, pointed at Daniel, and said, “Been meaning to tell you—that’s a nice jacket.”
    Daniel grinned. “Yeah, it’s okay. Used to belong to this kid I know. He’s a good guy.”
    Phil said, “Yeah?”
    Daniel nodded. “Yeah, he’s all right.”
    Phil watched the little car from his front walk until it went around the corner.