Chapter 2 · Continued
Arrival
“Yes,” Cam answered immediately. “I am capable of performing that task. Please indicate the location of the basket.”
After a brief pause, he added, “I am capable of lifting more than five hundred pounds.”
Jane blinked. “…Well, I don’t think my laundry weighs that much.”
She motioned for him to follow. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
As they walked, Jane glanced back at him. “Besides, your manual says we should take it slowly. You need to learn, and you can make mistakes.”
Cam processed that. “I will attempt to minimize errors.”
Jane smiled. “Good plan. Let’s start with the basket.”
They reached the simple plastic bin, half full of laundry.
Jane pointed. “There. That’s it.”
Cam stepped forward and bent down. After pausing to adjust his grip, he lifted the basket perfectly level and without effort.
Jane’s eyebrows rose. “Okay—that’s impressive.”
Cam turned toward the laundry room.
Seymour appeared out of nowhere and immediately jumped into the basket.
Cam stopped. “Jane.”
She sighed. “…Yeah, that tracks.”
Cam looked down at the cat, now sitting comfortably on top of the clothes. “There is an additional variable.”
Jane crossed her arms. “Welcome to my life.”
“I will wait until the variable relocates.”
She smirked. “Good luck with that.”
Seymour didn’t move.
Cam stood perfectly still with the laundry basket balanced in his hands, his gaze fixed uncertainly on the cat. He lowered his head slightly to examine him.
Seymour leaned forward, sniffed Cam’s face, and then licked him directly across one eye.
Jane froze and waited.
Cam didn’t move.
After a moment, he spoke.
“Jane, I am not certain how you would like me to respond.”
She pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.
“Seymour appears to be engaging in affiliative behavior,” Cam continued. “Based on my data, this is often associated with bonding.”
He processed for another moment.
“In certain contexts, it may also indicate romantic interest.”
Jane lost it.
“Oh my God—what data are you using for that?”
“Masters and Johnson’s research on human romantic behavior.”
Jane bent over laughing. “No—no, no, no.”
She waved one hand at him. “That is not what’s happening here.”
Cam tilted his head slightly. “Clarify.”
Jane tried to compose herself. “That’s a cat, Cam. He’s not flirting with you.”
Cam looked down at Seymour, who was sitting calmly in the basket as though he owned it.
“Understood,” Cam said. “Then this is non-romantic licking.”
Jane laughed again. “Yeah. That’s exactly what it is.”
Cam nodded once. “I will update my interpretation model.”