This isn't going to be easy. But he keeps with that same gentle tone, the gentle movements. He's not going anywhere.

Eric nods. "Yeah, it's okay. But if you wanted to talk about it a little, that would be okay, too."

As much as he wishes he could just take that thing away from him, that's not going to be possible right now.

"Maybe we could take a little walk. Over there?" At least away from the other puffballs of horror.