Chapter 10

Wednesday

AS SOON AS THE supper dishes and utensils had been cleaned and put away,Sam led Jake tohis van,while Josh and Marty rigged a light and attached it to the battery of Josh’s vehicle.

“Pop the hood,please,”Jake said,“and bring me the spare thermostat.”

Sam popped the hood,and Jake waited while Josh hung the light in a good spot.Sam returned with the part,a couple of screwdrivers,and a set of socket wrenches—and Jake went to work.

“Guy doesn’t waste any time,does he?”Marty said.

“Quick and efficient,”Josh said.

Jake,by then,had unclamped the appropriate hose and exposed the thermostat housing;and as they watched,he removed the housing itself.“I hate to tell you this,Sam,”Jake said,“but even after I replace this bad thermostat,you’re going to have a problem in the not too distant future.”

“Why?”Sam said.

“Because there’s a hairline crack in the housing,”Jake said,“and sooner or laterit’s going to turn into a big crack.”