Fiction book about a man about to commit suicide and a boy that he builds a bond with. Spoiler.

[Sue]

I listened to the book on audible maybe 1.5-2 years ago. It was in the plus catalog. It was a fiction book that starts with an old man that was going to kill himself and then a boy hits a bridge abutment or something like that. The man helps the boy and doesn't kill himself. I seem to remember that it took place in the southwest. Toward the end of the book you learn that the man had cancer. He really helps the boy and the boy gives him reason to keep going. I cannot remember the name of the book or the author. I'd like to listen to it again.

[Brit]

East of the Mountains by David Guterson?

[Sue]

No that isn't it. I know there were guns in the story. The old man teaching the boy to shoot and I beleive there was fighting with some people from a Mexican town. The boy (teen) was from an abusive family situation.

[Kris]

Sue, what's the genre (which we need to add to the topic header) - e.g., for teens or adults? realistic fiction, contemporary or historical fiction, mystery, etc.?

Can you tell us more about the man - e.g., why did he want to kill himself and how did he plan to do it, his age and job, etc.?

Can you describe the boy's (teen) accident by the bridge?

[Kris]

Honeybee by Craig Silvey? There are different cover images.

Google search of Goodreads:
site:goodreads.com "old man" "suicide" "bridge" "boy"