Thomas had fallen asleep on the ride home, his head resting lightly against the window, the weariness of the weekend finally catching up with him.

  In the front seat, Ruth glanced at him, her voice soft. “Did you hear how the cricket game went? Sounds like it was a big success—even though he wasn’t there.”

  Sholomoh gave a thoughtful nod. “That’s good to hear. But if that’s what Veronica led with on the phone, I doubt it’s the real reason she called.”

  Ruth looked out the windshield, brows drawn. “There was something Myriam said… about him having fans. That’s what has me worried. I’m glad he made a good impression, but the poor boy doesn’t like a lot of people fussing over him at once.”

  Sholomoh chuckled lightly. “We might have to greet the crowd and then chase them off. Tell them they can catch him Tuesday.”

  “And if they ask why?” Ruth asked.

  He gave a small shrug. “Just tell them the truth. Shul and Shoshana wore him out. And he’s got school tomorrow.”

  By the time they pulled into the driveway, the sun had fully slipped behind the trees, casting long, drowsy shadows across the street. Before the car fully stopped, Veronica came running out of the house, barefoot and wide-eyed, clearly eager to check on Thomas.

  Trailing her was a modest but excited crowd—lodge members eager to thank and learn if there is a new event.

  The car doors hadn’t even opened when Veronica appeared, moving with practiced confidence. She opened the back door, leaned inside, and placed a gentle kiss on Thomas’s cheek.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Hey,” she said softly as his eyes fluttered open, disoriented. “We’ve got a little situation. There’s a group outside who want to thank you for organizing the cricket match. Verand was thrilled. The lodge leadership is wondering why they never tried anything like this before. They’re waiting for you to hand out the coins. Don’t worry—I took notes.”

  Thomas blinked. “You really thought this through.”

  Veronica gave a knowing smile. “Not by myself. My dad and mom helped. Only you seem to come up with wild ideas that actually work.” She held out her hand. “Come on. Just take my hand. Lean into me a bit. My mom’s nearby and ready to pull us out when the crowd gets too much.”

  Thomas took her hand slowly, smiling with just the corners of his mouth. “You’ve got a whole plan.”

  Before they could even take a step away from the car, Bingham stepped forward, clapping a hand on Thomas’s shoulder.

  “Thomas, how’d you come up with that idea? Getting the whole youth group behind it like that? You’ve got to teach me how. My wife’s already asking when we can do the next event.”

  The floodgates opened. A small stream of voices poured forward—thanks, questions, congratulations. Every few seconds someone else chimed in, shaking Thomas’s hand or patting his back.

  He barely had time to breathe, much less respond.

  About five minutes in, May pushed her way gently through the crowd. “Veronica, did you invite Tom over for Family Home Evening tomorrow night?”

  Veronica, startled, glanced around. “I didn’t get the chance yet. The lodge members have been pretty eager to thank him.”

  It was then that everyone realized: Thomas was no longer beside her.

  Heads turned. Eyes scanned.

  “Where’d he go?”

  “Did he go inside?”

  “Did anyone see him walk off?”

  They began murmuring, looking for him in the yard, down the path, and behind the car.

  But Thomas was already inside, watching the whole scene from behind the living room curtain—quiet, amused, and just a little overwhelmed.

  From the front steps, Sholomoh raised his voice over the chatter.

  “Sorry, folks. It’s been a long weekend. You can catch up with him Tuesday.”

  With that, the crowd began to slowly disperse, leaving the porch quiet again, bathed in the last flickers of dusk.