Nobody inside came to the window to look out at the yard.

I carried Benji around the side of the garage to where my sedan was parked by the edge of the gravel.

I opened the back door, sat him on the seat, and peeled off my heavy wool coat.

I wrapped the dry coat around his shoulders and tucked the collar under his chin.

He dug into his pocket with trembling fingers and pulled out his worn green stuffed dinosaur, holding its tail against his stomach.

I got in the front, locked all four doors, and turned the key in the ignition.