“No,” her mother said.

“You mean ‘no thank you’,” Kenzie said.

Her mother gave her a look.

“Manners, please,” Kenzie said. “We’re with my friends. Don’t embarrass me.”

Irene Martin clapped her hands together, sharp, and turned to me with a smile. “I don’t want to fight. Are we going to get this machine out of the back?”

A part of me wanted to address the aborted conversation, but Tristan jumped in before I could.

“I gave it a shot, Victoria, but I’m far from being strong enough,” Tristan said.

I glanced at Kenzie, who smiled. I decided to let the subject drop.

“I strapped it up before I wheeled it in,” Kenzie said. “I hope that helps.”

“It does,” I said. “Out of the way.”

They stood back.

I hope you like the costume I made for us, I thought, as I released the wretch. As far as I could understand it, I was effectively wearing clothing with room for three of me, too many sleeves, too many pants legs. I was putting my hands through two sleeves, into the matching gloves, and I had the benefit of the strength. If I was quick, I could do things before the other arms and legs started moving about, around me, in front of me, behind me.

I hauled it back as smoothly as I could. The others backed away more as I brought the large cube out onto the ground.

Mrs. Martin adjusted the back of the van to fix the ramp. She turned around. “You have what you need?”

Kenzie climbed into the back and came out with some smaller cases. She put both donuts into her mouth, biting down into them to hold them, so her hands were free enough that she could pull three straps over her head. She retrieved the donuts. “Yes.”

Her mother shut the van door.

“I won’t be home for dinner, probably,” Kenzie said.

“Will you need another ride?”

“Probably not. I’ll make my own way back. I’ll be late. You and Dad can have a date night or something.”

Irene Martin didn’t respond to that. She glanced at the other members of the group.

“It’s just a suggestion,” Kenzie said.

“You wouldn’t tell me what this is, but it’s serious, isn’t it?”

Kenzie groaned.

“Is it?”

“It’s pretty serious.”

“Will I get a phone call tonight, telling me you’re in the hospital?”

Kenzie groaned louder. “Go. Thank you for the ride. Enjoy your day. Enjoy time with Dad. Okay? You don’t have me around to bother you.”

Irene Martin threw her hands up. Kenzie gave her a push, and Irene walked around to the driver’s side. She turned around there. “Victoria?”

“Yes?”

“You could come over for dinner some night.”

“Yes,” Kenzie said. She did a double take, between her mom and me, then turned to me and said, “You could.”