Our time on the road has been endless and nerve-wracking. The lifeless Hayden has bounced off every hard surface in the compact cabin. I try not to obsess, yet I still find myself checking on him after every big bump. Partly from concern, partly from the mind-numbing boredom of being stuck on an endlessly straight highway.

My only distractions have been the countless dashboard switches. This truck looks like scrap metal on the outside, but it’s actually loaded with every kind of gizmo you could ask for. Most of them are still a complete mystery to me, although I’ve managed to start the truck and find navigation, so I’m feeling pretty good about it. Up to this point, my plan has been push a button and wait for something to happen—that’s been mostly successful....

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