The mid-summer heat was as stifling as it always was in Los Angeles, but it was made worse by the fact that Kenneth had been sanding down a large walnut sideboard for over two hours. It was one of Saul’s grandmother’s pieces, and would be the third one that Kenneth had restored in the past several weeks. He was so thrilled to be working with antiques again. Saul had noticed his response to the activity and had suggested that he find some pieces that he might like to work on for himself. They’d even discussed opening up a shop of their own. He was in the open garage in their backyard so that he at least had some shade, but there was no movement in the air. By habit, he let his fingers trail over the chain Saul had given him. He’d then finger the lock of his collar before lowering his hand again. In his opinion, it was priceless. How much his life had changed in the previous few months was difficult for him to fathom. After setting the sand paper block down, he swiped at his forehead yet again then reached for the glass of lemonade he’d brought out earlier.
