Car Pool

"Car Pool" by Rosel George Brown is a science fiction story that explores the intersection of human and alien cultures through the lens of a suburban carpool. Verne Barrat, a mother in a world where Hiserean children are integrating into human society, must navigate the everyday challenges of managing a carpool that includes Hi-nin, a Hiserean child, alongside her own children. The story centers on themes of acceptance, cultural misunderstandings, and the complexities of parenting in a changing world. As Verne deals with the social dynamics between the children and fraught interactions with another mother, Regina Crowley, a pivotal moment occurs when one of the human children bites Hi-nin, leading to escalating tensions and fear, and highlighting the difficulties of fostering understanding and acceptance in a diverse society.