Chapter 56: Emmet

I shift the truck into park at the secondary gate line and kill the engine. The vibration dies down, leaving only the rain tapping against the windshield and the distant chatter of the morning drop-off loop.

Leo is already unbuckling his strap, his fingers working the plastic release. He has his green nylon backpack gripped in his left hand and his small wooden tractor shoved into the side pocket. He doesn't wait for me to round the hood. He pushes his door open, sliding down the high running board onto the wet gravel.

"Keep your jacket zipped, Leo," I call out through the open window.

He doesn't...