Stranger Things by J.L. D'Amato

Author:J.L. D'Amato [D'Amato, J.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2024-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

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Danny and I leave Eddie to follow the crowds out of the expo hall. I have the Bard Box in tow. Frodo is now hooked up to an unfairly adorable blue leash and harness, waddling along ahead of us, better leash-trained than some dogs I’ve seen.

Danny navigates the long hallways of the convention center with ease, bringing us out of the central rush of fair festivities and into a quieter area of the convention center.

“So, I have to ask…,” I say. “Why the duck?”

Danny laughs. “Why not?” he asks. “It’s fun, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, definitely,” I say. “But it’s a far cry from everyone else in there trying to solve the energy crisis, or whatever.”

Danny waves his hand, like the energy crisis is petty drama he doesn’t care for. “Science is supposed to be fun, if you ask me. I think a lot of the people here forget that.”

I nod, thinking about Anika’s quiet intensity, Brian’s holier-than-thou attitude conveyed through passive-aggressive remarks.

“Yeah, I get that,” I say.

We reach the end of a hallway where there are doors leading outside to a loading dock. Danny opens the door and gestures me through before following with Frodo. The area is secluded, leaving us in a quiet area between buildings.

“But to answer your question seriously,” Danny says as he reaches into his pocket for a plastic packet. He pours a mixture of seeds and corn into his hand, then scatters it on the ground, and Frodo eagerly starts pecking at it. “I help out on my family’s farm with all the animals, back in Kentucky, and I just adore them, obviously. But I also love science, you know, and how it can intersect with agriculture to make things better on the farm, both for animals and people.” He lights up with passion as he talks about it, smiling down at Frodo like a proud parent. “As for Frodo, he’s just about the most intelligent creature I’ve ever met, and I thought it’d be neat to show that off.”

“I’ve never thought of ducks as particularly intelligent,” I admit.

Danny squats next to Frodo and covers the sides of his head, where his ears must be. “Don’t say such things where Frodo can hear you!” he gasps. “He’s sensitive.”

The duck does not seem bothered, shaking off Danny’s hands to continue pecking at a piece of corn on the ground.

“Sorry, Frodo,” I say, simultaneously chastised and amused. “I’m sure you’re very capable.”

Danny smiles, satisfied, and stands up. He holds out his hand over Frodo’s head.

“Frodo, high five!” he says.

Frodo jumps up to tap his beak against Danny’s hand, wings fluttering slightly. I laugh, delighted.

Danny keeps his hand out, palm up.

“Come on up,” he says, and Frodo’s wings flutter hard as he jumps and lands in Danny’s outstretched hand, looking content as anything. “Good duck.”

Okay, the whole thing is ridiculous, but I’d be crazy not to be impressed.

“That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,” I say. “I actually have a bit of animal-handling experience myself.”

I’m thinking back

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