"I don't know if I can take being here," Paul said. "Everything I see every day is so big . . . it's freaking me out. Would you mind if I went back to your dorm with you, Don? It might help to be out of familar surroundings, and it's very close to the hospital, in case . . . well, in case this doesn't wear off by morning."
"Uh, sure, Dad. That's fine."
"I think you should stay here," said Bryan. "It's safer. Anything could happen at that college. Anyone could see you."
Paul agreed with this sentiment. He certainly didn't want to be seen. But if he had to see his familiar bed as big as a football field, he'd go crazy. And where else could they put him? "It will be all right, Bryan," Paul assured him.
"Yeah," said Don. "I'll take good care of him."
Over Bryan's and Brett's objections, when Don left that evening, he had his father in his jacket pocket.
*
Paul rode in the enclosed space listening to the magnified sounds of the world. Everything sounded so big and menacing. Maybe Bryan was right after all; maybe he should have stayed in the dubious comforts of home.
Well, too late now. "We're almost there, Dad," said Don as he drove. He was thrilled that his father trusted him enough to take care of him during this bizarre situation.
Before too long, Paul felt the car stop and heard the door open. Immediately, there was the feeling of sickening motion as Don started to walk up from the parking lot. He heard many giant, booming voices call hello to his son and marveled that Don had become so popular on campus after just a few months. He must take after his old man, Paul thought. Paul had dropped out of college early on, but not before excelling at many sports and other activities and making lots of friends.
From the sound of things, they had made it inside. Almost there, thought Paul. Soon enough, they'd be in the privacy of Don's single room. Suddenly, a shockwave rocked Paul's little world, accompanied by what sounded like a sonic boom.
"Hey DeSoto, where ya been?" came a huge voice, and Paul realized that his giant son had just been slapped on the back by a friend.
"Went home for dinner," said Don. "Howzitgoin, Jared?"
"Cool, man. Hey, there's a big party getting started over at Alpha Omega. Want to head over?"
"Uh, I really shouldn't. I gotta, uh, study and all."
"Ah, come on, man."
Cowering in his son's pocket, Paul listened to all of this with mounting anxiety. What if his son were to leave him alone in giant, unfamiliar territory? Or, worse, what if that Jared were to insist Don accompany him RIGHT THAT MOMENT?