He removed one earbud and turned halfway in his seat. “Hey there, buddy,” he said, his voice measured and light. “Could you maybe try not to kick the seat? Just makes it a little hard to relax, is all.” The boy blinked at him. No response. Just a vague look of amusement, like he was being addressed by a cartoon character.
Daniel smiled—barely—and turned back around. For about thirty seconds, everything was still. Then another kick. Harder. And another. He closed his eyes and muttered under his breath. “Of course.” Daniel tried to let it go. He really did.