Ruth answered.
“Floyd?”
Noah looked up.
Ruth listened.
Then handed him the phone.
“For you.”
Noah hesitated.
“Hello?”
Floyd’s voice came through.
“Heard you need rubber.”
“Maybe.”
“Don't say maybe when you called half the county.”
Noah smiled despite himself.
“Yes.”
“I need a usable rear tire.”
“I have one.”
“Off an old parts tractor.”
“Not pretty.”
“Holds air.”
“What do you want for it?”
Silence.
Then:
“Fifty bucks if you pick it up.”
Noah knew it was worth more than that.
“Why?”
“Because I don't need it.”
“That’s not the reason.”
Floyd sighed.
“Kid.”
“I bid you up at the auction because I didn't like getting challenged.”
“I didn't even want that tractor.”
“I’ve been hearing about your rebuild for six weeks.”
“Everybody thinks I’m the jackass from the story.”
Noah did not answer.
Floyd continued.
“So take the tire for fifty.”
“I’m not giving it to you.”
“I don't want charity.”
“Good.”
“Neither do I.”
Noah bought the tire.
When he went to collect it, Floyd walked him through a shed containing five old tractors.
Before Noah left, Floyd said:
“Your grandfather really teach you all this?”
“Started it.”
Floyd nodded.
“My dad taught me on a Farmall.”
There was something smaller in Floyd’s voice then.
Maybe recognition.
Maybe embarrassment.
“Get the Deere running.”
“I’m trying.”
“No.”
Floyd said.
“Get it running.”
By week eight, the engine began going back together.
Slowly.
Clean.
Measured.
Earl Pittman refused shortcuts.
Every reused component inspected.
Clearances checked.
Torque sequences followed.
Injection equipment installed after professional service.
Fuel tank cleaned.
Lines flushed or replaced where necessary.
Cooling system serviced.
Starter tested.
Wiring repaired enough for safe operation.
Battery installed.
Fresh fluids.
Then hydraulic checks.
Brake inspection.
Earl kept asking:
“Why are you doing that?”
Not to test memory.
To test understanding.
Sometimes Noah answered correctly.
Sometimes:
“Because the manual says.”
Earl hated that.
“The manual tells you procedure.”
“I’m asking purpose.”
So Noah learned purpose.
Lubrication before start because dry internal surfaces damage quickly.
Fuel bleeding because trapped air prevents proper injection.
Cooling check because an engine that finally starts can still destroy itself through overheating.
No loose clothing.
No standing beside rotating components.
No assuming neutral without verifying.
No bypassing safety systems for convenience.
Earl repeated:
“Getting it started is not success if somebody gets hurt.”
Week ten arrived.
The tractor was almost ready.
Noah wanted the first start Saturday.
Earl said Friday evening:
“Tomorrow we don't try to make it run.”
Noah stared.
“What?”
“We prepare it to run.”
“Difference.”
Saturday morning, Ruth stood near the barn.
James arrived.
So did Noah’s mother.
Floyd showed up without explaining why.
Three neighbors.
Gary Sims from the auction.
Word had spread.
Noah hated the audience.
Earl Pittman loved making him uncomfortable.
“More witnesses if you forgot something.”
They performed checks.
Fluid levels.
Fuel.
Coolant.
Battery connections.
Transmission position.
Parking brake.
Area clear.
Fire extinguisher nearby.
No leaks.