counts when it comes to love, nothing else. My daughter, she was married for seven years. Never knew the bastard was beating her until after she left him. She’s in Florida with another woman now, and they’re happy as can be. Or they were before this mess happened. I hope they’re okay.”
Since Florida hadn’t been blown up, he had reason to hope. Maybe that was why he and his wife were friendlier to Kalquorians than most.
Now he beamed at Tina and her siblings, his dark eyes sparkling. “Lost lambs found. You got a miracle here.”
“I do. I’m truly grateful.”
“I’m happy to meet Miss Tina’s family.” He ruffled Callie’s hair and shook Zac’s hand. “What were you saying about me inspiring something?”
“A talent show. I’m hoping to hear you play guitar.”
He laughed, clapping with pleasure. Callie clapped with him. “That would be fun. What about you, Zac? Do you play an instrument?”
“No. I have puppets at home. I could make them do jokes.”
Tina shot a warning look at Mr. G. He didn’t miss a beat, his smile never faltering. “Puppets! Excellent idea. If you can’t get to your house, we can fashion some. I made puppets with my daughter when she was little.”
“Really? Mine came from a store, a boy and a girl. I want a dinosaur puppet though. How did you make them?”
Mr. G sat with them for half an hour, discussing the materials they’d need to construct dinosaur puppets. Zac was delighted enough to make no mention of going home to retrieve his toys. His smile flickered to life.
They ended with Mr. G saying, “I’ll go talk to a friend of mine who might be able to get us the supplies. Draw me some dinosaurs and we’ll see which we can turn into puppets. Deal?”
“Deal.” They shook on it.
After Mr. G roamed off to play cards with another man, Tina and Zac returned to planning the talent show itself. With the boy’s growing eagerness, they made short work of the refreshments and moved on to decorations and announcements.
An hour later, Tina’s proposal had turned into a full-fledged plan. “Now all we need is the performers and a date. Let’s grab a snack from the food line. Then we’ll check in with the boss. He’ll be interested in our plans.”
“Who’s the boss?”
“Yorso.”
Some of Zac’s interest dissipated at her clanmate’s name, but he nodded agreeably. Tina was delighted she’d get to spend time in the office with her Imdiko.
Maybe we can do more than that tonight after the kids are asleep. Maybe everyone will get off work on schedule for a change, and we won’t be too tired.
Cookies were available from the kitchen, including the chocolate chip ones Zac was partial to. He pointed to the one he wanted. The smiling Imdiko manning the line who handed it to him earned a mumbled, “Thanks.”
Small steps. Tina was encouraged. Now if Callie would just let her put her down for a second or two…
* * * *
“Hey! Look at these amazing people coming to see me. How’s it going?” Yorso greeted them with pleasure when they walked into the office.
“Pretty good.” Tina wished she felt comfortable enough to kiss him in front of the glowering Zac, who remained close to the door. She shifted Callie to her other hip.
“Is she still demanding to be carried like the princess she is?” Yorso came around the desk.
“Nonstop, but I suppose it’s normal for her to be clingy.”
“No doubt. Here, let me take her. Hi, cutie!” He held his hands out for the toddler, who reached toward him with a chortle.
“Don’t you touch my sister, you dirty Kalq! Ugly alien!” Zac ran forward and punched Yorso in the leg, his face red with fury.
Tina gasped. “Zac, stop!”
Yorso held his hands up in a gesture of surrender, his expression shocked. “I’m not going to hurt her. I was just—”
“Go away! Get off our planet! Nobody here likes you!” Tiny fists battered Yorso’s muscled thigh, thudding in a rapid tattoo.
Tina set Callie on the floor. Ignoring the toddler’s bereft wails, she grabbed Zac instead and hauled him away from Yorso. “No hitting! Yorso’s your friend.”
“Kalqs are the enemy, not friends! They’re bad! My daddy said so!”
Yorso knelt to confront the outraged child, grabbing his flailing arms. “Calm down, Zac. The war is over. We want to help Earthers, not hurt you. We like you.”
“Well, I hate you! You’re stupid and mean. Go back to your own planet and leave us alone!”
Zac yanked free. He stomped to his