Page 44 of Collin: Episodes 10-12
Collin rubbed his eyes and angled his head back to see his sir. His vision was blurred from staring too long at a screen.
Mr. Moreau smiled and stroked Collin’s cheek. “It’s time to head home. We’re late.”
“Oh. What time is it?”
Mr. Moreau shook his head ruefully. “Six. I totally lost track of the time. Richard just texted to ask where we were.”
Collin put the pillow back and crawled out from under the desk. His foot was entirely asleep. He had to lean his hip against the side of the desk and wait for the pins and needles sensations to recede before he could walk. Mr. Moreau just smiled and brought Collin his coat and hat and helped him dress, going so far as to button him up.
Friday was a slog. Collin started with energy in Mandarin class and chugged down what had become a daily mocha from Damian at his desk. Veronica left for a midday meeting about her case and came back crying. Her mother was being amazing, but the guy that had taped her had gone to a slew of media appearances. Her community club had suddenly decided they no longer wanted her to be a part of their volunteer activities and canceled her membership. Some crap about her being a bad influence on children.
Eliza had had some choice words about that. Katharine had held Veronica’s hand, and Collin had fetched a new box of tissues.
“We should have a daycare near some of the train stops,” Collin said, staring at the map. The words just came out.
Veronica hiccupped through her tears, also looking at the map from her chair.
Katharine leaned forward, chin on her hand. “Why, if so many people need childcare, is it so hard to find it?”
Eliza huffed from across the room. “My daughter worked in childcare for a little while. The pay was so bad she was on food stamps.”
That’s bad.
Veronica sniffled and dried her eyes. “Yeah, I was a nanny for a few months. The pay was awful. I had to get a second job just so I could break up with my then boyfriend. And even after that, I was living out of my car until I found a better job.”
“So, we should nix that idea?” Collin bit his cheek.
“No.” Eliza grimaced. “It’s a good idea. Parents can drop their kids off on the way to work. It would be perfect, but it’s not something we can really get someone to invest in. The profit margins aren’t there.”
“Give this idea to me. I’ll reach out to some of our researchers.” Veronica finished drying her face. “If I can’t work with kids at the community center, I can work on helping kids here.”
Katharine patted Veronica on the back. “You’ll get to work with kids again. Not everyone stinks like those people do.”
Katharine’s phone rang. She read the caller ID, closed her eyes, and shook her head. “I’m not answering that.”
“Who is it?” Veronica asked.
“My father. He keeps demanding an apology.”
Collin held out his hand. “Let me answer.”
Katharine raised both eyebrows but handed over the phone.
Collin hit the green button and then the icon for speaker mode. “Hello and welcome. Thank you for calling Watery Burials, your one-stop shop for all your aquaponic burial needs! If you want to feed the fish, we can grant your wish. How may I help you today?”
“What?!” a man squawked on the other end. “I’m calling for Katharine.”
“Of course, sir. Let me just check our records. We’ve had a few Katharines in this week. Has your loved one passed, or are you looking to set up a future burial plan?”
Veronica stuffed her fist between her teeth to keep from laughing. Collin grinned and tapped a few keys on the nearest keyboard for ambient noise. Eliza rolled her eyes, but her eyes were sparkling.
“Katharine Parker,” the man on the phone spat, “I’m calling to talk to Katharine Parker. Who are you?”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Collin replied. “We don’t have any Katharine Parkers on file. Is she perhaps listed under a different last name?”
“No! She’s not dead. I’m calling to talk to her. She’s my daughter!”
“I’m sorry, sir. We do provide speaking services for loved ones to their departed while the bodies are in the regeneration tanks, but we don’t have anyone by Katharine Parker currently undergoing renewal at our facilities.”
