See You in the Cosmos

Alex details how everyone cleans the property and house. Ronnie specifies that Alex should not divulge this to the social worker: “[Ronnie] said don’t tell her that we cleaned up, just pretend it’s like this all the time, and I said I wish I didn’t have to pretend” (290). Alex wonders aloud about the meaning of a “non-biological dad” and how different people in his life contribute as his caregivers, companions, and role models, all demonstrating dad-like characteristics. He puts the word “dad” in the same category as other abstract nouns like love, truth, and bravery—words that are hard to precisely label and define but strongly exist in his life.

Alex describes the visit of the social worker and the aftereffects in this recording. Before the social worker arrives, Steve and Zed leave. Ronnie explains that Terra, Alex, and he should sit together on the sofa to show unity. Ronnie wants to practice their responses, but the phone rings. It is a reporter who wants to interview Alex because Lander Civet mentioned him and the Golden iPod on social media. Several reporters email Alex, and a reporter and news vehicle arrive at the house, but Ronnie says he should not speak to anyone right now.