Turtle stopped and looked the boy in the face. Hawk was young, but already taller than Turtle. The boy wore his usual heavy, charcoal coat, three sizes too large, starting at his neck and ending at his skinny calves. He looked at Turtle a little longer, desperate begging in his eyes.

Finally realizing the puppy dog look wouldn’t work on T, Hawk dropped his gaze. “Yes, sir,” he said.

“Thanks, kid,” Turtle said, ruffling the boy’s hair. “It means a lot to me. I’ll try to get you out there next time.”

Hawk nodded, disappointed, but hopeful for next time.