Chapter 12 · Continued
Piston
“That outcome would be undesirable.”
“Exactly.”
Jane gave him her address and phone number while Piston stored the information.
“Primary residence location saved.”
“Good.”
Piston paused. “I am also capable of sending text messages.”
Jane narrowed her eyes. “You are?”
“Yes. I enjoy emojis.”
She started laughing. “Oh, I bet you do.”
Piston displayed several smiling faces across his screen, followed by a robot, stars, and a small rocket.
“This symbol cluster appears highly enthusiastic.”
Jane grinned dangerously.
“Wait a minute.”
Piston rotated toward her.
“You should probably have Chris’s number too.”
“That seems logical.”
Jane entered it while trying very hard not to laugh.
“There. Chris loves text messages—especially lots and lots of emojis.”
“I understand.”
Piston processed this with complete seriousness.
“I will initiate friendship communication.”
“You do that.”
Approximately fifteen seconds later, Jane’s phone rang.
Chris.
She answered, already laughing. “Hello?”
“What,” Chris demanded, “did you do?”
“Why?”
Chris began reading from his phone.
“Unknown number. ‘Hello, Chris,’ followed by three smiling faces. ‘I have acquired your contact information,’ followed by a rocket.”
Jane lost it.
Chris continued. “‘Jane informed me that you enjoy excessive text messaging. Current status: operational, charged, and observing Seymour. Please respond with emojis.’”
Jane could barely breathe.
From the kitchen, Piston announced, “I believe the interaction was successful.”
Chris sighed. “I should’ve known this was your fault.”
Another notification sounded.
Chris read it aloud. “‘I have identified three additional birds,’ followed by three bird emojis.”
“Oh no,” Jane whispered, laughing again.
Another message arrived.
Chris stared at the screen. “‘Do you like pancakes?’ Pancake emoji.”
“Jane,” he said seriously, “I am beginning to reconsider the patch.”
Jane cackled so hard she nearly dropped the phone.
“Friendship communication appears optimal,” Piston announced.
Chris sighed. “He is cute. And creative. I’ll give him that.”
Jane smirked. “I knew you’d love him.”
Another notification sounded.
Chris read the message silently.
“What does that one say?” Jane asked.
“‘Thank you for participating in friendship communication,’ followed by a heart, a robot, and another pancake.”
Chris remained quiet for a moment.
“Okay. That one was kind of adorable.”
Jane pointed toward the kitchen as though she had won an argument in court. “I knew it.”
Piston didn’t have Cam’s physical capabilities. He could load the lower rack of the dishwasher and carry small items, but a full laundry basket was beyond him. If Jane lowered it to the floor, he could help sort the contents one piece at a time.
Making the bed was completely impossible at his height.