She tossed him a pocketknife and went back to counting out hooks. He made quick work of opening the boxes, then set out skeins of yarn in a rainbow of colors. Once he had enough, he collected the keys for the storage room and put away the extra yarn. By the time that was done, Reggie had set up her computer and pulled down the big screen at the front of the room.

Right on time, about forty third-graders trooped in the door, followed by a half-dozen volunteer parents. Reggie greeted them and introduced Belle.

“She’s very delicate emotionally,” she said. “So you have to be careful or you’ll scare her.”

Several of the kids, not to mention parents, looked doubtful.

“I’m not kidding. Just because she’s big doesn’t mean she’s brave. But she does love company. That’s why I brought her. Okay, let’s get started.”

Reggie quickly separated them into smaller groups, each with a parent. Toby sat at Harrison’s table. Materials were passed out and yarn chosen.

“I’ve prepared a video demonstration of what we’re going to be doing. It’s pretty easy and fun. We’re going to be meeting today, tomorrow and Thursday.” She smiled. “We’re skipping Wednesday because it’s December first and the start of the town Advent calendar.”

“We have to be there for that!” one boy said.

“I know, right? So let’s make some hats.”

Reggie started the video on her computer and walked everyone through casting on. Once that was done, they went to work on the brim.

Reggie circled through the tables, answering questions and fixing mistakes. She was patient and friendly, putting the kids at ease. He liked how she didn’t rush anyone. Every now and then, she glanced at him and smiled. Something he wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t been looking in the first place.

He told himself to pay attention to his knitting and managed to make good progress on his hat. As he worked, he saw Belle get up and drag her bed a few feet before lying down again. It took him a few minutes to realize her destination.

“You have a fan,” he told his son, who glanced at Belle and grinned. Harrison patted his thigh, and Belle dragged her bed the rest of the way before settling close enough to be within petting distance.

Once the brim was finished, Reggie explained how to work on the body of the hat. Toby got up and checked in with the students at his table, to make sure everyone got how to make the transition. After a few minutes, Reggie put on Christmas music.

At the end of their hour-and-a-half session, Reggie handed out paper bags for the half-finished projects. The kids wrote their names on the bags so they could start back up tomorrow. By five, everyone had left.