Notes

The child was on her way to school. Dressed up in colorful clothes and her favorite rain boots. She had refused to take them off this morning, despite her mother's protests. She was young, about seven and three quarters -- she told everyone who asked. Excited and giddy, the kid would not stop fidgeting or hopping around. Her mother let her go to the bus stop alone today. Granted it was in front of her house. She looked around, it was eerily quiet this morning. No birds chirping, no dogs barking or children playing. The bus seemed to take forever to come and pick her up. A man broke the silence, seeming to have popped up next to her. She craned her neck to see him, he was very tall. He had a straight nose and a scruffy chin. He had a full head of brown hair, though some strands were gray. An expression of delight was on the girls face, he looked just like her dad! AKA the coolest person on the planet. So she seemed to have a trust in this man, who had very large, hairy hands. One of those hands tapped her shoulder.
- hm?
- Hi! Whats your name?
She was conflicted, mommy always said not to talk to strangers, but this one looked like daddy. So he must be alright... right?
- I'm Lucy!
- Hi Lucy, whatcha doin?
He spoke in a way that tried to seem youthful, cool. Lucy thought that he sounded just like her brother, who was 14 and said things like "tubular" or "radical". So, of course, she thought he was even better now.
- I'm waiting for my bus! Mommy let me do this alone today.
She had a big, bright smile on her face.
- That's so awesome! But hey, if it's not here yet... Do you want me to drive you to school?
He said "me" longer than the other words, as if trying to make Lucy guilty if she said no. So she said yes. He brought her to his car, a red Toyota. It had a car seat in the back, oddly enough.
- Do you have a kid mister?
He looked a bit taken back. His mouth formed and started to say no, but then why would he have it. So, he said yes.
- Also, what's your name?
- I'm Bennet, but you can call me Ben
- Cool! So Ben, why is your car red? What's your kid's name?
He indulged the child and answered all her questions -- she had a lot.