talent show. The blue and white décor was relaxing, taking the edge off the industrial feel of the place.
“See the speakers? There’s a sound system we can tap into. Plus, plenty of seating. The kitchen can prep refreshments for everyone to enjoy. The hospital is the place where the refugees prefer to be,” she told her brother.
“Why?”
“For one thing, the sick and injured patients stay here, and their families like to be close. And when you have food, people come running. It’s also a good place to sit and talk and play games.”
Zac looked at the few dozen Earthers sitting at tables and sipping coffee, playing cards or checkers, or simply conversing. During mealtimes, Kalquorians joined them, but they tended to pick up their food and go. Though the humans had found it necessary to their survival to shelter at the site, they were, for the most part, hostile to their former enemies. It made for an uncomfortable atmosphere.
A few waved to Tina and the children. Others, who disdained her for working with the Kalquorians, turned their backs on her. She wondered how they’d act if they knew she was part of a clan. It had been at Osopa’s insistence that she kept quiet on that matter for fear someone might physically attack her. She and Yorso acted as co-workers and nothing more when they were out and about around the site.
Zac might mention our living situation to others. There was nothing she could do about it. Clan Tukui would face the problem if it became one.
She set her thoughts aside and addressed their current task. “What do you think, Zac? Is the stage big enough?”
He was interested despite himself. Tina had noted that he liked it when she asked his opinion. “I saw some girls dance together at the show I went to. Six of them. Maybe the stage needs to be bigger.”
“Hmm. I didn’t anticipate group performances, but you’re right. Maybe if we moved some tables back? If it’s a big group, they could do their act on the floor in front of the stage.”
Zac’s brows drew together as he deliberated the matter with a seriousness that rendered him cuter than ever. Tina had the urge to hug him, but she feared he’d think she was condescending.
He nodded after giving the problem due consideration. “Up to four people on stage. Bigger groups on the floor. It could work if you do it that way.”
“Great. Let’s figure out what refreshments we can offer.”
Tina let Zac choose a table for them to sit at. Balancing Callie on her knee, she took out her handheld. Callie let her stuffed giraffe drop to the ground and reached for the device.
“Not a toy, precious. This is yours.” Tina picked up the plushie and gave it to Callie again. The toddler promptly began chewing on its nose, and Tina was grateful the floor appeared to be clean.
She set the handheld close to Zac and out of Callie’s reach. “Let’s talk about drink options.”
“Lemonade.”
“Excellent. I’m pretty sure the powder version is available. If not, a scavenging crew can possibly locate it. Iced tea and coffee for the grownups. Snacks?”
“Cookies. Chocolate chip.” This was ordered with conviction.
“You are a wise, wise man.”
A short man, not precisely round, stopped by their table with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. His smile was bright beneath his gray-threaded mustache. “You have help today, Miss Tina.”
“Good morning, Mr. Garcia. Yes, these are my new assistants, Zac and Callie. Also known as my brother and sister. They came in yesterday. This is Mr. Garcia, the inspiration for our project.”
Mr. G was Tina’s favorite refugee, along with his motherly wife. The Garcias were, as far as Tina knew, the only humans aware of her clanning situation. She hadn’t told them, but a week after they’d arrived at the site, Mr. Garcia had taken her aside in the hall. “Miss Tina,” he’d whispered, “though you start early and end late, you should take the path behind the buildings between Yorso’s office and home. There are some here that—well, they’re already rude about you assisting Kalquorians. I hate to think how they’d react if they knew you were more familiar with them. Be careful, okay?”
He’d seen her because he was an insomniac who walked the site’s roads when he couldn’t sleep. And she’d thought she’d been careful.
When she’d stuttered her surprise, he’d waved her off. “It’s only important those men treat you right. I learned the hard way it’s the soul that