She Defended a Lonely Biker, and Her Town Never Saw It Coming

part of the walls.

He had said it to travelers.

To preachers.

To mechanics.

To grieving widowers.

To women with crying babies.

To people who could only afford toast and coffee.

To people who could not afford even that.

He had said it until Carter’s Diner became less of a business and more of a witness.

Now he lay in a hospital bed, half his body refusing to continue reading …