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When she’d moved north, she’d stocked up on extras at thrift stores. No matter how well people took care of their neighbors, Rissa knew from experience that some kids fell through the cracks.
She’d been at the Malssum’s home one winter day when they’d just been getting to know each other. Leaving the warmth of the people and the house had been a challenge. She hated to go home to a cold house and a colder father.
When she’d grabbed her thin jacket off the hook in the mudroom, she’d found a thick zippered sweatshirt hanging with it, arms already threaded through her own coat. Warm blue mittens and a matching pompom hat rested in the pockets of her jacket.
When she looked up with tears in her eyes, Halona had leaned in to hug her. “Whatever you need, Rissa. You’re always welcome.”
Rissa blinked back the memory, unwilling to let her eyes mist up as she called the group to order.
When she asked them to tell her something they’d learned over the week in five words or fewer, the answers made her smile.
Building is fun.
Robots need coding to work.
Ketchup is a liquid.
Levers lift heavy loads.
Mistakes are okay.
Car jacks use levers.
Cold makes bubbles freeze.
Cornstarch thickens things.
Frizzle is the best.
Science is fun.
Burke laughs a lot.
Rissa grinned at that one as Burke sketched a bow.
Once the kids were gone, she and Burke worked as a team to pack up the equipment. Kids mostly did a pretty good job, but she’d learned it was better to check and organize at the end of the day than trust that the bins had the proper equipment for the next session.
Frizzle whined at the closed door, hoping the kids would return. “Sorry, my friend. We’re done for the day.”
Frizzle sighed and set her head on her paws, a pout clear on her face.
Because it was the final day of her in-person lessons, there was a lot to check and pack. Once a bin was ready, she stacked it at the door with others of the same color.
Burke set down a viscosity bin. “I’m not surprised by how organized you are, but I am shocked at how much equipment you have. The Q Lab must be packed to the brim.”
She hadn’t invited him in yet. Charlie had been the first other human to set foot in the RV since she’d bought it. But she trusted Burke to enter her sanctum. “If you want to help me store these where they belong, you can see.”
“Yeah?”
She nodded.
“It’s okay if you’re not sure.”
His quiet voice made Rissa turn to face him. They’d spent a lot of time together over the past week. Not only had he worked with her throughout the day, but they also ate together and often walked through the orchard, exploring new areas every evening with Frizzle at their side. They’d also shared kisses that heated her blood and warmed her heart.
“I trust you inside my Q Lab, Burke.”
He nodded. “Thank you.”
