The tickets had been bought months before.

It was his first big concert.

His aunt took him.

The train ride into the city was part of the adventure.

As the concert got closer, the conversation turned to a simpler, safer way home.

"I'll come get you."

It had already been a full day.

Hours on the road for work.

Dinner had come and gone.

Then it was time to head back out.

Rush hour had eased, but construction hadn't.

Concerts never tell you when they'll end.

So the car was parked in the parking garage with plenty of time.

The blanket was already folded across the back seat.

A pillow waited beside it.

There was nothing left to do...

but wait.

Eventually, the phone buzzed.

"We're on our way."

A few minutes later, they climbed into the car.

Still talking about the concert.

Still smiling.

Before the city was behind them, he was asleep.

The drive home was quiet.

A glance in the rearview mirror told the whole story.

His head rested against the pillow.

The blanket had done its job.

There wasn't much to say.

There didn't need to be.