With Walter returning next to Sadie, he takes comfort that she is in good care. Yet, she seems to be recovering faster than he realized when she uses a specific tone in her voice in conjunction with his name that plucks at a chord that makes him instantly shrink down where he sits with guilt. He responds weakly, “I…okay. I’ll call her before we leave.” His hands are still too cold to dial, so he tucks them into the opposite sleeves against his forearms with a little shiver. If he gives himself a few minutes to rest and recover some warmth, he can make the call and ready his bike at the same time since his phone is with his backpack there.

Benjiro listens as Sadie answers Walter, and he reluctantly points out, “…and what about riding on the bike?” Granted he will try to take it slowly, but turns remain part of the route and traffic may be a factor by the time they get back to the road.