"Yeah. He's gonna be stuck with me for like, the next seventy or so." By now, the big mech was probably resigned to his fate, but far be it from Sam to let him go without a bit of flak now and again---and anyway, he gave as good as he got. "And, here--!"

Suspecting Will wouldn't've appreciated being lowered by both armpits (again, being made to feel small was the last thing he needed) Sam simply steadied him until he had both feet back on the blacktop. She moved her hand to his back after that, urging the boy along as patiently as she could. She understood that walking away from a real live alien robot when you could ask questions was probably one of the most difficult things a twelve-year-old kid could do, but their conversation had already gone on a little too long.

If we're hooped, we're hooped. Here's hoping it's not another shitshow. Sighing herself, Sam raised her free hand briefly, without looking back.