"I'm totally serious. It's one of the biggest dinosaurs ever discovered. Maybe the biggest, but scientists aren't totally sure because they haven't found all the bones yet." Caleb's eyes are wide, his hands gesturing wildly. "They found the bones in Argentina. That's why it's called Argentinosaurus. Get it? Argentina-saurus."
"That makes perfect sense. Argentina-saurus." Jay nods thoughtfully. "So how did something that big even move around? Wouldn't it knock over trees and stuff? Destroy everything in its path?"
"Very slowly," Caleb says, his voice dropping to a serious, conspiratorial tone. "And it had to eat all the time. Like, constantly. Just eating and eating and eating all day long. Every single day."
"That sounds exhausting."
"It really does." Caleb reaches out and grabs Jay's hand. "Do you want to see my new dinosaur book? It has pictures of all the biggest ones, with size comparisons to things we know. The Argentinosaurus is on page forty-seven."
"I would absolutely love to see it. But maybe after dinner? I don't want to miss your mom's cooking. She told me she's making something special."
"Okay, but you have to promise. You can't forget."
"I promise. Cross my heart."
Caleb nods solemnly, satisfied with this binding agreement, and runs back into the house shouting, "Mom! Jay promised to look at my dinosaur book! He cross-my-heart promised!"
The twins appear on the porch, more reserved than their younger brother but watching Jay with obvious interest.
"Hi Diana. Hi Destiny," Jay says, straightening up from his crouch. "How's it going? How was your week?"
"Fine," Diana says. She's got her arms crossed, but it's more thoughtful than defensive. "We heard you got a new job. Ivan told us."
"I did. At a motorcycle shop."
"Is it better than your old job?" Destiny asks bluntly.
"A lot better. I get to work on really old bikes, restore them to how they looked when they were brand new. It's like being an artist and a mechanic all at the same time."
Destiny considers this for a moment. "That sounds pretty cool."
"I think so. I start Monday."
Diana steps closer, glancing back at the house. "Jay, can I ask you something? Kind of a favor?"
"Sure. What's up?"
"I have this science project due next week. We have to build a model volcano that actually erupts. With baking soda and vinegar and all that stuff." She glances back at the house again, then at Jay. "Ivan tried to help me with the design, but he kept saying we should 'keep it simple' and 'not overthink it,' and I don't want simple. I want it to be impressive."
Jay grins. "You want it to be the best one in the class."
"I want it to blow everyone else's out of the water. I want the teacher to remember it for years."
"I can definitely help with that. What if we built up the structure with chicken wire and papier-mâché? Make it look like a real mountain, with texture and realistic slopes. We could even paint lava flows down the sides, make it look like it's been erupting for years."
Diana's eyes light up, her whole face transforming. "Really? You'd help me with that? That sounds amazing."
"Absolutely. When's it due?"
"Friday."
"Wow, that soon? Then, we'd better get started. How about Wednesday after school? I'll bring supplies."
"That would be amazing. Thank you." Diana gives him a shy smile, not the cautious one she usually gives adults she doesn't fully trust yet.
"Anytime. I'm excited about it."
Rosalyn appears in the doorway, wiping her hands on her apron. She takes in the scene—Jay surrounded by all three kids, and her face softens in that way it does when she's pleased but trying not to show it too obviously.
