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“Thanks,”hegrunted.

“You’re welcome.I’ve, uh, brought lunch, too.” I retrieved the tray of soup and sandwiches and brought it over. “Are youhungry?”

“Imight be,”hesaid.

“Eat.”I put the tray in front of him. “I’m going to help you,” Iannounced.

“With what? The food?”

“Well, I’ve gotta eat, too,”I said. “The food, and the work, too. With your hand like that, I think you need someassistance.”

“Stephen can help,”hesaid.

“Stephen hasother things I’d like him to do. I’m going to help you.Alright?”

He eyed me,and I thought I saw the vaguest hint of a smile brush across his lips. “I guess I have nochoice.”

“Good,”I replied. “Now, let’s eat. Maybe we can finish getting the door in place before the end of theafternoon.”

“Okay,”he said. “Have you ever done anything like this? Fixing this kind ofstuff?”

“Never,”I replied, taking a bite of mysandwich.

For the first time,I heard Mason laugh. I real laugh, non-sarcastic, and it was wonderful. I didn’t know I could love the sound of anything so much. I was lost and completely taken. How had this happened to me? I never thought it could be possible, but here it was, it washappening.

“Well,”he said. “I guess we’re both in the same boat. We’ll figure it outtogether.”