“Yeah. —Seriously though, I’m not joking about the phones.” Melanie has an iPhone! It is basically a pocket-sized computer with a touchscreen and the ability to text and call people!

"Damn! That's so much cooler than I'd imagined phones getting!"

"They're really cool! We can probably get one for you if you want, I should check our budget but I think we're still doing fine within it. And smartphones are really useful."

"I think maybe I want glasses first and we can see how your budget feels about getting me a phone after that."

“Right, good plan.”

Nod nod.

Okay. They have had coffee. They have had something resembling a normal conversation. April is flinching much less frequently at ambient voice noises.

Time to go back to the spooky place?

Time to go back to the spooky place. 

Melanie goes into Jon’s office. “April needs glasses. Any chance the spooky knowledge powers include letting you know what her prescription is?”

“Wh—um, maybe? The Eye isn’t exactly Google.” Sigh. “...Negative three in her right eye, negative seven in her left eye, no astigmatism, and you can measure her pupillary distance your damn self.”

"Thanks. It's been awkward not really being able to see anybody's face since I got here."

“It’s not a problem. It’s nice to do something— useful.”

She smiles.

He smiles back, kind of. The muscles around his mouth definitely move, but the resulting expression is vaguely unnatural, like he's an alien who doesn't actually know how smiles are supposed to work.

Perhaps fortunately, she still can't quite see him clearly enough to get the full effect. And under the circumstances she's willing to give points for effort.

Later, Basira gathers everyone for a conversation.

"I want to set up some ground rules. I talked it over with Melanie and she agrees it's a good idea. Jon, no being alone with April unless it's an emergency and you really can't help it. And stop staring at her like she's a piece of meat."

"I'm not--"

"Yeah, you are. And if I find out about you taking her statement I'm putting a bullet through your head. Got it?"

Weary sigh. "Yes."

"Good."

(April reflects on how apparently there are some advantages to not having her glasses yet. On the other hand maybe she would actually rather know what it looks like when he stares at her, all things considered. So that later if she catches him doing it again she'll be appropriately concerned.)

"April, I know this is all still new to you, but if there's anything that would help... let me know? No promises, but we'll do our best."

"I'll... keep that in mind. Thanks."

"No problem."

"Anything else, or are we done here?"

"Have you talked to Martin yet?"