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Oz picks the boy up and all the kids applaud Chevy coht Chevy, Oz and the ood with kids" Eli crouches next to me

"What?" It’s like he started in the

"Oz is good with kids Always has been" He gestures to the wheelchair a little farther down "Especially the ones with disabilities He has a patience and gentleness most men don’t That’s why Brian’s parents are here Oz includes hiame"

Brianwith Brian?" I ask

"Cerebral palsy"

"Oh" Oh

"How’s it been?" Eli asks

"Good" I watch the party on the field, wishing that I was part of the celebration "Hoas your business stuff?"

"Good," he answers

Eli’s been gone for teeks and it’s odd seeing him, but it shouldn’t be This is his hometown, not mine I’ve settled into a weird but cootten used to Eli texting me to confir lot a herd of guys in black leather vests hang out near a gaggle of motorcycles "Do you ever travel alone?"

"Yeah," he says "But you and I have a shopping date and I’ll feel better doing it with so to Nashville and letting e h and it surprises rows it rass in front of me "Isn’t Louisville closer?"

"Nashville’s a hell of a town There’s a bar on the strip that serves a great pulled pork sandwich"

I detest pork, but Eli means well so I keep my food preferences to et that when you visit Florida shopping is a way to fill the tiether, but I’m here so you don’t have to spend money on me"

Eli pulls at his earlobe "I haven’t beendoesn’tthere, but I want to do this for you"