“What are you guys doing?” Minerva asked as she stepped in.
“We’re making a special breakfast,” Bo said.
“Want to help?” April asked.
“Sure,” Minerva said.
“Do you know how to make coffee?” April asked hopefully. “I’m sure your dad would love coffee, but I’m not sure how strong he likes it.”
“I do know how to make it,” Minerva said, sounding excited. “I watch him do it all the time.”
April resisted the urge to worry that watching wasn’t the same as doing.
“Awesome,” she said. “I’ll watch you, so I know for next time.”
“I’ll keep plucking ova-berries,” Bo said.
“Thank you, Bo,” April said. “I don’t know what I was thinking trying to make breakfast by myself. I’m so glad you guys woke up.”
Bo beamed and attacked the berries.
April turned to Minerva and watched her fill the water reservoir and then carefully scoop coffee into the filter. She seemed to have a normal ratio of coffee to water, so it would be good to let it play out.
Coffee was one thing Terrans had brought with them to the rest of the universe, where it was immediately embraced as the gift from the gods that it was. It was a small thing, but beloved, a thing to be proud of.
But you have so much more to be ashamed of,a voice in the back of her head reminded her.
She begged her brain to turn off until she could get some time alone. The idea that Vlax D’agryx knew where she was currently living terrified her. But she thought that maybe she had a way to put a stop to him.
As soon as her sign-on bonus with the nanny agency hit her account, she could pay him off whatever he thought she “owed” him.
It would leave her flat broke, but at least then this waking nightmare would be over.