At Bell’s Marina, T.C. leaves the truck behind and takes his boat out onto the Lake of the Ozarks.

He doesn’t consider himself much of a fisherman. Catching something would be fine, but a quiet cove and a little time to think would suit him just as well.

On his way past Coffman Beach Resort, he notices Jack Floyd and Mitchell’s father standing on the dock.

He keeps going. But he remembers what he saw.

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T.C. Redford has a boat waiting at Bell’s Marina and an afternoon he hopes to spend fishing—or at least doing something that looks like fishing.

First comes a stop at the Minnow Bucket, where Vern Pruitt sells the supplies, Rusty knows the lake, and nobody charges extra for an opinion.

Then the telephone rings.

We’ve seen what happened when Mitchell and Dudley took a boat out. This week, come along with T.C. and discover how he became part of their afternoon.

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T.C. has a wrench to return and three friends he wants Cecil Boone to meet. Blue has a haircut in mind and a throttle that gets the introductions started.

You may remember this arrival from Mitchell and Dudley’s side of the street. This time, stand beside T.C. as a familiar afternoon unfolds.

There’s a customer waiting, a doorway that needs clearing, and a barber holding scissors.

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Come inside Mercer’s Corner Market, where Earl makes change, June wraps sandwiches, and each has suggestions about how the other could improve.

T.C., Blue, Roy, and Glenn have stopped for lunch before riding down Main Street. Pull up a seat with them. There’s an old coffee table with a story in its worn finish, and Earl would be happy to recommend the potato salad.

June would prefer he quit giving it away.

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T.C. has the parts laid out and the tools within reach. He nearly has the motorcycle fixed, too. He’s been nearly there for a little while.

Then Blue arrives.

Before they can head into town, there’s a muffler to secure, a borrowed wrench to put away, and a little friendly commentary about whether Blue needs a haircut or just a better hat.

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T.C. steps into Cecil’s shop to ask about a haircut for a friend. He’s carrying a wrench, which gives Cecil something to say before the conversation even gets started.

Between the repaired town sign, motorcycle mufflers, and the amount of hair Blue has to offer, there’s plenty to discuss. The customer in the chair would like to hear all of it. Cecil would like him to hold his head straight.

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A loose muffler has left T.C.’s motorcycle at home and brought his pickup into town. Inside Warren Pike’s hardware store, there’s a replacement nut, a borrowed wrench, and some unfinished conversation about Cecil Boone.

We’ve followed Mitchell and Dudley through these streets. This week, come along with T.C. and see what the same town looks like from a different pair of shoes.

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Mitchell and Dudley ride into town to ask Cecil Boone what he saw the day Dudley’s cousin went down Main Street on one wheel. Before they can reach the barbershop, four motorcycles come down the hill.

One rider, Blue, needs a haircut. Cecil objects to the noise outside his window. T.C. Redford helps the riders clear the storefronts, and Blue promises to leave without revving his engine. Cecil lets him wait his turn.

The boys marvel at the motorcycles, then ask Cecil about the old bicycle. The cousin really did pass Warren’s hardware store with his front tire in the air. He set it down outside Cecil’s door when a delivery truck eased out below him.

He never reached the Minnow Bucket on one wheel. Dudley decides the part Cecil saw is still a pretty good story.

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