“Wow!”
“What’s wrong, Dan?” his Mother inquired from across the room.
“I forgot something important. I’ve got to rush out to Terry Treuhaft’s place right away!”
“Can’t it wait?”
Dan shook his head and explained about the broken window. “I promised the Cubs I’d take care of it first thing today, Mom. It sort of slipped my mind. I’ll go right now.”
He fished two precious dollar bills from his bank. The window shouldn’t cost half that much, he hoped. But to be on the safe side, he would take an extra dollar along.
“Do you want your father to drive you to the cottage?” his mother questioned.
“I don’t mind walking,” Dan replied. “See you later.”
Leaves were falling fast, dotting walks and highway. Dan shuffled through them, enjoying the soft crackle underfoot. He sucked in a deep breath, and then began to whistle because his spirits were high.
Terry Treuhaft was nowhere about when Dan came to the cottage. He rapped on the door. The knock was a bit more forceful than he had intended it to be.