Maria walked all the way to the little farm and knocked on the door.
"I had to come and thank you again. If not for you, my son would be dead now."
John Trench stood in the doorway and looked down at the tired-looking woman. He had tackled the boy and pushed him aside as a car's front tire blew, sending the vehicle out of control.
"You don't have to keep thanking me, Mrs. Gomez. I just did what most folks would have done."
"Oh, no. Not many would have risked their own life to save another."
Suddenly there were tears in her eyes.
"I haven't told anyone else yet, but the doctor said last week that little Pedro has but six months to live. You gave him back his life today, and oh how I wish you could do so again. Oh, if only you could. Do you think--?" She let the question go unfinished.
"No, Ma'am, I'm sorry." It was the only thing he could think of to say as she turned and began to long walk back to town, and her son.