Matthew, Robby and Nicola, another classmate of Matt’s, were standing in the kitchen, waiting for Nicola’s mom to arrive when Diane turned to Robby and asked, “Did you know that tomorrow is Matt’s birthday?”
Robby replied, “Yes,” then glanced my way. I had asked him the same question an hour earlier.

Diane followed with, “Are you going to bake him a cake?”
Robby, master of the straight line, said, “Yes, I am.”
I was a few feet away, behind the island and when he said yes, I thought, and that’s not all. I said, “Robby” but almost too softly to be heard.
“You are?” Diane asked with a tone that carried, I wasn’t serious, are you kidding me and isn’t that sweet, in the same short phrase.

I thought I had an opening so I repeated, “Robby.” This time, loud enough to be heard. I was building up to something and soon Matt would tune in, as he always does, before anyone else.
But Robby continued, “Yeah, when he comes to my house I cook for Matt. I’ve made hors d’oeuvres, and other things. I’m going to make him a cake” I knew Robby was telling the truth because once he made me Sushi.

Sensing another pause, I again said, “Robby.”
Matt’s eyes began to dart as if in search of a foxhole.
Robby turned to me and said, ëYes?”
“There is one more thing you need to do.” I didn’t finish. I let it linger to see if he could guess what I was about to say. He should have, because it was precisely the advice he gave Matt, in the back seat of Diane’s car when we were returning from our Minuteman trip. Right after Matt called Joe clueless and we wanted Matt to apologize to Joe.

Robby looked puzzled and asked, “What else?”
Matt said, “Run.”
“Robby, are you going to give Matt a hug and tell him you love him?”
Matt blushed when Robby said, “Yes.”
He blushed again when Diane asked Nicola if she were going to give Matt a hug and an I love you and she replied, “First, I want to see Robby do it.”

Matt never blushes.

Updated Parts List for the BMW
Inner and outer tie rods (left)
Inner tie rod (right)
Center Linkage
Clutch Plate
Air intake hose
Distributor cap, rotor and ignition wires.
Clutch reservoir cup