May 6, 2440 7:45 AM
K.C. looked over the much-expanded firehouse neural-learning center. It now had twenty stations, a very tired-looking A.J., and a much more energetic Srang.
“He looks sort of peaceful there,” K.C. said to the two women watching over her father. “Can I poke him?”
“Please don’t,” A.J. sighed. She had some sympathy for the man. She hadn’t fared much better than he had during either of her attempts yesterday.
Then she brightened as she realized she had said that in V’ren.
K.C. looked at Tell and wondered whether she should try to learn more Spanish too. If her future stepmom spoke it, maybe she should learn.
K.C. knew she and Maggie disagreed about a great many things, but they had talked about Tell late last night. Neither of them could remember seeing their dad act the way he did around this woman. More importantly, they liked her too.
She was just cool.
“I have room for five of you,” A.J. announced. “Then you have a shift at the sorting center, according to The Pam, while the others get their turn.”
“When did Tita Pam become The Pam?”
“I think around 2:00 a.m. was the first time I heard it.” A.J. shrugged. “You might want to strap in before she comes out of her second session since midnight. We’ll call for the rest of you thirty minutes before it’s your turn. Now move. Those clothes and toys won’t sort themselves.”
A.J. gave a small groan as she realized she had just sent the green space elves off to sort Santa’s summer gift selection.
She reached for her coffee and knew she would need another pot very soon.
