"You're new and more interesting to him, so I think you will be able to hold his attention better. But we can take turns later," Julian said.
Though he seemed skeptical, Rob agreed and Julian gave him Danny's favorite book,Super Strong Little Bee. "He likes for me to read him this book when he gets scared."
Flipping through, Rob nodded at the story of a little super strong bee lifting various heavy things in order to help other insects and animals and making friends along the way, nothing too complicated. Danny liked it and that's all that mattered.
Soon they were driving away, and Rob was keeping Danny company. Because he had to be able to stop on short notice, Julian planned to avoid the highways and toll roads. That meant their trip would take longer, but it would also be more scenic.
"Are we going far away?" Danny asked as they got on one of the surface roads out of town.
"Not too far. We're going to a nice place," Rob told him in that cheerful way of his. "But on the way, we have to keep an eye out for animals. If we see any cows or horses, we have to count them, and we have to wave to them."
"I can count to eleven," Danny told him. He seemed OK, but then a big truck rumbled past and Danny started to breathe too fast.
"That was a big truck, but it's gone now," Julian said as he slowed to make sure the truck passed them.
"You want to hold my hand?" Rob asked Danny.
"A little," Danny said.
"OK. Here you go. You're a brave guy, you know," Rob told him.
In the rearview mirror, Julian saw as Danny nodded. He worked so hard not to be scared, it broke Julian's heart.
