“Don’t know yet. Shouldn’t take too long, but I haven’t had a chance to deal with any of that yet.”

“Of course not. Is there anything I can do to help? Call the repair shop or—”

“No. I’ve got it.”

There was an awkward silence before Atticus continued, “I was just wondering…”

Tobias could tell Atticus was having a difficult time stating the reason he’d called.

“Last night when you were here…”

“Yes…”

“Were you saying something about…about the two of us going hiking in Yosemite, or did I dream that?”

“I mentioned it. Are you interested?” Torn between hoping he’d have the opportunity to do something special for Atticus and fearing he wouldn’t be capable of pulling it off even if they were both committed to it, he held his breath.

“I am, but…how would we manage, considering… Well, considering? I mean, you’d have to carry me the whole way. Do you realize how difficult that would be, even with a carrier?”

Tobias almost admitted that he was worried, too. It would take a lot of training on his part. Even then, there was no guarantee he’d be strong enough. But he didn’t want to confess that to Atticus. “I haven’t been able to find the video you mentioned—the one with the man carrying the disabled person. But…was he anywhere close to your size?”

“That’s hard to say. He looked like it. I’ll find it so I can show you, and you can judge for yourself.”

“Okay.”

“If we decide it’s feasible, when would you like to go?”

“The weather should be about perfect on your birthday.”

No response.

“Atticus? You still there?”

“Yeah. I’m imagining hiking Yosemite for my birthday. I’d like that,” he said, his voice turning dreamy. “I think I’d like that a lot.”

“So would I,” Tobias said.

“Something to plan for.”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

Tobias stared at his phone long after he’d disconnected. He would have to forget all his concerns and start training. Carrying Atticus up Half Dome would require every bit of energy, strength, resilience and willpower he could muster.

But he was grateful to have something so challenging to concentrate on. Then maybe he’d be too tired and preoccupied to think about Harper.

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