Ten minutes later, we arrived at Nathan’s house.
The front door opened.
Jillian stood there.
Behind her was Elena.
But Elena wasn’t alone.
Several police officers were gathered inside.
Alejandro froze.
“What is happening?”
Then he saw something leaning against the wall.
A guitar case.
His guitar case.
He walked toward it slowly.
“No.”
He touched the handle.
“Mom?”
I looked at Nathan.
He smiled.
“Alejandro, open it.”
My son looked at me.
I nodded.
He opened the case.
Inside was a brand-new guitar.
Beautiful.
Polished.
Perfect.
Alejandro couldn’t speak.
Nathan stepped forward.
“That guitar isn’t from me alone.”
Alejandro looked up.
“What?”
“The officers at the precinct heard about what you did.”
Officer Daniels smiled.
“Somebody suggested we help you replace what you gave away.”
Officer Cooper added, “Then everybody wanted to contribute.”
Alejandro’s eyes filled with tears.
“I can’t take this.”
Nathan shook his head.
“You can.”
“But it’s too much.”
“No.”
Nathan pointed toward Elena.
“That wheelchair changed her life.”
Then he pointed toward the guitar.
“This is simply our way of saying thank you.”
Elena rolled closer.
She looked at Alejandro.
“You better learn a new song.”
He laughed through his tears.
“I will.”
“What song?”
