“I get it,” Dale continued, not trying to touch him yet. “This place is scary. Lots of strangers poking you. Bright lights. Beeping machines. Your mama’s scared too, I bet. Your daddy. Everyone’s scared. And that’s a lot for a little guy to handle.”
Something in Dale’s voice—the low rumble, the calmness—made Emmett pause for just a second. Still crying, but listening.