Two or three fluffy kernels land in his hair. The boy doesn't stir. He's plumb tuckered out. However a fourth one lands just close enough to his face that his instincts take over. He sniffs a couple of times in his sleep and a long forked tongue darts out to snatch it up.

Ever try to eat something really really dry in your sleep?

"Hkkk! Pphht! Guh!" Roman sat bolt upright, heels hooked over the edge of the cart, and started to cough and spit.