For a moment, I could almost imagine Nancy standing beside it, shaking her head at me.
Finally, Frank.
I swallowed.
“Yeah,” I said.
“She would’ve.”
Part 6 — What Clark Never Understood
Clark hasn’t touched Earl since.
As far as I can tell, he doesn’t borrow things from anybody anymore either.
Actually, he barely speaks to most of the neighborhood.
That’s fine with me.
I didn’t expose him because I wanted everyone to hate him.
I didn’t want revenge.
I wanted him to understand something he should have understood from the beginning.
Kindness isn’t permission.
Generosity isn’t weakness.
And somebody having more than you think they need doesn’t make the extra yours.
Clark kept saying it was only gasoline.
Only a couple gallons.
Only a ladder.
Only an extension cord.
Only a pressure washer.
But people who say “it’s only” are usually talking about something that belongs to somebody else.
The amount wasn’t the point.
The choice was.
Had Clark knocked on my door and said, “Frank, money’s tight. Could you spare a few gallons until Friday?” I probably would’ve helped him.
That’s the part he never understood.
