Chapter 13

“Hi, Pop,” Brody said.

“Brody, my lad,” his grandfather said. “ And who’s this with you?”

“This is Sheldon Mashe. He’s a fireman at the station.”

“Ma-shay,” his grandfather said. “How do you spell that?”

“M-A-S-H-E,” Sheldon said. “It think it might be French, and probably had an accent on the E originally, but I really don’t know for sure.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Brody’s grandfather said.

Sheldon walked over to the swing, said, “You look too comfortable to get up, Mr. Murphy,” and shook hands with him.

“Good to meet one of Brody’s coworkers,” Mr. Murphy said. “Do you ski?”

“I’ve done it a couple of times, but not recently,” Sheldon said.

“We’re gonna give it a try, Pop,” Brody said.

“I think the gas tank might be a bit low.”

“I’ve got a full can of gas in my truck.”

“Want me to drive the boat?”

“Maybe later. First, I want to take Sheldon out and see how he does. If he passes muster, you can take us around the lake after lunch.”