What a bumpy ride! Tate sat between large crates of bottles that rattled as the truck made its way along the country roads. When it finally came to a stop in front of a small house in the next village, Tate heard the driver get out and walk back to open the rear door. She ducked behind the crates to avoid being seen, not realizing that her ears were still sticking out. The driver, Etienne, consulted his list of customers, then took a bottle of milk and a tub of yogurt from one of the crates. He walked to the rear of the house and set them on the porch.
He came back to close the truck's rear door, but first, opened a bottle of milk and poured some into a paper cup. He set it down between himself and Tate, whose ears were still plainly visible. When she smelled the milk, she couldn't resist peering around the crate to have a look. Etienne smiled at her, and gestured toward the cup. She lapped up the milk gladly, then looked at Etienne. "I think you might be more comfortable with a pillow," he said, taking off his red sweater and arranging it on the floor of the truck. With that, he slowly closed the door, got back in the driver's seat, and continued his delivery route. When he looked in his rear-view mirror several minutes later, he saw Tate curled up on the sweater, already sound asleep.