After class, Leo declined Ollie and a couple of other classmate’s invitation to grab a bite and a drink. Instead, he headed in the direction of his house, but found himself turning around at the last minute and heading back to The Birches. The roads were quiet. It was the lull just before rush hour, making it easy for Leo to speed through the streets, his thoughts quiet in the space of his helmet. As much as he wished he were driving a car, there were times when being on his bike was meditative.
He pulled into the parking lot of The Birches and sat on his bike a minute. He felt nervous, like he was about to meet a celebrity and the self-doubt that plagued him made him queasy.
“You gonna sit outside or come in?”
Leo jumped at the sound of the man’s voice. He pulled his helmet off and lo
