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smell of roast beef, fresh bread and potatoes triggered something in Kaitlyn, but it was like a scratch she couldn’t itch. The feeling caused a tingling in her memory; so close, but not close enough. To say it was annoying would be an understatement. This sometimes happened with certain scents. She wasn’t sure what it meant and wished she could ask Lucas or Professor Adams, but that would be giving away too much.
    The kitchen was rustic and well-used. There was very little wall space that wasn’t covered in pale wood cabinets, and the thin area of space above was hung with old cast iron skillets and copper pots. It was five degrees warmer in the space than the rest of the house.
    “Have a seat anywhere,” Mrs. Adams declared, waving her hands towards the large oval dining room table that sat in an alcove next to the kitchen. The table was covered with bright yellow placemats, and floral napkins.
    Hesitating, Kaitlyn waited until the others were seated so she wouldn’t take the wrong chair. Mr. Adams sat at the head of the table, as she expected, Lucas sat to the right of him, and Quess sat at the other end next to what would presumably be her grandmother’s seat.
    Kaitlyn made her way around the table and sat across from Quess, unfolding her napkin and placing it in her lap. Like she saw Quess do. There was one seat separating her from Lucas.
    He tugged at his t-shirt collar as if it were choking him. His cheeks were flushed. She wondered if it was from the heat of the fireplace.
    What is he thinking? Kaitlyn wondered. What was it that made him so uncomfortable? Quess had said he was anti-social. Maybe he was uncomfortable eating around others, but that seemed odd even to her.
    Lucas cleared his throat. “Professor Adams, I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but what is the meaning of this meeting?”
    Professor Adams gave a half-smile, helping himself to the pitcher of iced tea in the center of the table. “Beats the hell out of me. Ask the women of this family. I’m just as surprised as you are.” He filled his glass and then filled his wives. “The sooner you learn women rule this world, the better off you’ll be.”
    Just then Mrs. Adams walked in, carrying a large plate of roast beef, the thinly sliced meat pink at the center. Her smile lit up the room. “Ain’t that the truth!”
    She set the platter on the table and retreated back to the kitchen. Quess rose and hurried to help her grandmother. Soon, the table was filled with roast, potatoes, rolls, and vegetables.
    The scents were wonderful, but Kaitlyn dreaded having to eat. The roast would taste no different to her than the potatoes. It was as if her taste buds had been removed, but more than likely it was a computer chip that overrode those senses. Sometimes she wished she could tear out all the sensors.
    But then again, what would that leave of Kaitlyn? Would she even be able to survive without the mechanics? She really had no idea.
    Quess tapped Kaitlyn on the arm. “Help yourself.”
    It seemed they all watched as Kaitlyn placed a small portion of roast, potatoes, and green beans on her plate. She bypassed the rolls. That would have been too much for her to eat. Her internal encyclopedia informed her of protocols of etiquette and leaving food on one’s plate would be offensive to the host. She didn’t want to offend Mrs. Adams.
    Quess reached across Kaitlyn to grab a golden roll. “Hey, Gramps, I was thinking that you should add a slang chip to Kaitlyn. Half the time she has no idea what I’m talking about.”
    Kaitlyn’s eyes snapped in the direction of Professor Adams. He rubbed his chin, lost in thought. “You know that’s actually a great idea, Quess.”
    Quess smiled, obviously proud of herself.
    “What do you think, Lucas?” Professor Adams stared at Lucas, awaiting his response.
    Lucas shrugged. “I don’t think it could hurt. If they want her to mix with the general population, it makes sense she would need to understand