Chapter 3
Learning
“Okay, come on—let’s get the laundry started. You can watch how it’s done.”
Jane sorted the clothes into small piles on top of the machine. “Lights… darks… and these are whites.”
Cam watched intently, tracking her every movement.
Jane opened the washer and tossed in the whites. She pulled out the detergent drawer, measured the soap into the correct compartment, and slid it closed with a firm push.
The machine beeped and came to life.
She lightly dusted off her hands. “See? That’s it. When it’s done, we move everything to the dryer.”
Cam remained still.
Processing.
A couple of seconds passed before he said, “I understand.”
Jane glanced at him. “Oh yeah?”
Cam turned his head slightly toward the machine. “This appliance is not operating in an optimal configuration.”
Jane blinked. “…It’s not?”
He gestured toward the washer. “According to the manufacturer’s specifications, proper load balancing improves efficiency and reduces mechanical strain. Additionally, color-separation protocols have not been fully enforced.”
Jane stared at him, looked at the washer, and then turned back.
“…I literally just separated the colors.”
Cam paused to process that.
“…Partially.”
Jane let out a short laugh. “Oh my God. Okay, laundry expert—what would you do differently?”
“I would refine the color separation and redistribute the items according to fabric weight and water absorption.”
Jane glanced into the washer again. “All right. Not this load. But next time, you can show me your optimized version.”
“Understood.”
Cam looked back at the washer as if he were already planning it.
Behind them, Seymour appeared in the doorway. He sat and watched like a tiny, judgmental foreman.
“Okay, now that the laundry is doing its thing, we’ll come back when the machine beeps and switch it over,” Jane said.
Cam followed her into the bedroom.
“Let’s make the bed now. Do you know how to do this?”
Cam went still.
Processing.
Jane watched him for a moment. She was beginning to recognize the signs. Whenever he had to think particularly hard, the eye beneath the dent flickered slightly, as though something behind it was working harder than it should.
Cam tilted his head. “…I have observed beds.”
Jane smiled faintly. “Yeah… that’s not quite the same thing.”
Just as she reached for the edge of the blanket, her phone rang in the other room.
Jane froze. “…Damn it.”
It rang again.
“I have to take this, Cam. It might be work.”
Already moving, she waved one hand behind her. “Just… carry on.”
Then she was gone.