“One of the ladies was my best friend’s mom.”

“Yikes,” said Ben.

“That’s bad,” agreed Fisherman. “But it’s not your fault. Hey, you interested in getting a turtle? Yoda’s pretty interesting. But he’s real low-key. I can get you a deal. He always makes me feel better.”

“Maybe,” I said.

“And you could come to our church sometime. Our pastor helps a lot of people,” said Fisherman.

“Maybe,” I said.

Ben had popped the wheel back on his bike and was ready to go.

“I got good energy. Never had healthy waffles or cold oatmeal before,” he said. “I feel like I could fly right now.”

“I never had smelt before either,” said Fisherman, pushing himself to his feet.

“Spelt,” I said. “It’s a grain.”

“City people,” said Fisherman.

We followed Ben along the single track until we got to a ravine. Someone built a narrow bridge over it out of slats that looked like something from Lord of the Rings. It looked sort of like a ladder you would never want to climb, never mind ride your bike on. The drop between the ladder and the bottom of the ravine was at least twenty feet.

“Ready?” said Ben.

Fisherman and I looked at each other.

If I was scared, Fisherman must have been terrified. He weighed at least twice as much as me.

“No,” I said. “I’m not ready for that. Can we go around?”

Ben smiled. “Let me check,” he said and rode out over the rickety bridge, cocky as if he was on a paved road.

“That guy is fearless,” said Fisherman.

“I’ll be back,” said Ben, riding along the other side. “Let me just find a place for you guys to cross!”

Fisherman and I waited.

“Box turtles make good pets,” said Fisherman. “Just don’t let one hibernate somewhere where you can’t find them. We lost Yoda that way once.”

“You can come with me when I go to the store,” I said. “I’ll save up.”

We stood in the forest of skinny, dusty trees at the base of the butte.

“Maybe after this we could go to your uncle’s ranch?” I said. “I wouldn’t mind seeing how King is.”

“My aunt wants me to help unload some hay. For my punishment. You can help.”

Then Ben appeared behind us.

“Okay, follow me,” he said.

And we followed him to a trail that had a proper bridge, with railings and everything, and we came out safe on the other side.

Acknowledgments