Kelvin heard the doors swish open and hoped it wasn’t someone who wanted to use the big computer. He liked to use it for the multitude of spreadsheets on the multiple big screens.
He tried to make himself look busy, and then someone slapped him hard on the back. “Heidy ho, neighbor!”
Kelvin turned wide-eyed to look at Mike. “M…Mike?”
Mike stood–more like levitated–about a foot off the floor. He grinned from ear to ear. “How’s it going?”
“Good?” Kelvin sensed something odd.
Mike let himself down onto the floor. “So how’s the world looking? The usual hotspots out there? Everyone busy?”
“I’m doing some reports for Fold.”
Mike put an arm around Kelvin’s shoulders, making him involuntarily wince. “Hey, don’t be scared. It’s okay to do reports for him. What does he need them for?”
“Comparison runs, statistical analysis.”
Mike rested his chin on Kelvin’s shoulder while he gave the boy a hug sideways. “Have I told you recently how much I love you, Kelvin?”
“N…no, sir?”
Mike laughed, releasing Kelvin. “You’re right, I haven’t. You deserve a raise. In fact, all the field commanders, they all deserve a raise.”
“It’s not necessary–”
“Nonsense. I’ll talk to Scott. You guys do hard work. Do you think we need another layer, say lieutenants? Or will that piss off some people? Hm….” Mike looked out the window. “People who have been here a long time deserve something too. I think some kind of perks…Let me think about it.” He turned to Kelvin. “You’re coming to the party?”
“Party?”
“Teddy’s party. He’s 18. We’re going to have a big thing for him next weekend. You are coming, right?”
“I didn’t know about it.”
“You have to go in the locker room more often,” Mike said, laughing. “There’s plenty of good things to look at there.” He again patted Kelvin hard on the back, “Well, carry on.”
Mike walked around the base to the rear stairs, whistling, “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.”
Kelvin wondered what curse Mike was under this time.
