Chapter 56

“Scared and nervous?”

The boy nodded. “Yes.”

Kyle grinned and lifted the boy’s chin. “What’s your name?”

“Max.”

“Max! That’s a cool name for a brave boy.”

Max hiccupped and beamed at Kyle. “Really?”

“Uh-huh. I used to perform in plays when I was younger. I was even in a few plays on stage as an adult.”

“Yeah?”

“I swear. Listen. Do you want to hear one of my secrets?”

Max nodded. “Yes.”

Kyle noticed the other children had stopped singing. In fact, everyone in the room was focused on him and Max. “I used to be terrified, too.”

“So what did you do?”

Kyle smirked at Max. “I pretended that everyone else was a dinosaur.”

Max’s eyes widened before he giggled in the adorable way young boys often did. “That’s funny.”

“It was. Don’t be afraid. Everything is going to be okay. Besides, this is just a one-time thing for you. Right?”

Max shrugged. “Yeah. No more. Maybe.”

Kyle snickered. “There you go. Are you okay to continue now?”