“What I’ve learned since then is that there is no sound in space because outer space is made of a great big nothing. A vacuum. But here, sounds consist of little tiny invisible sound particles bumping into each other until they reach someone’s ear, like the people at the grocery store or in a busy train station.”

The story opens with Ro’s philosophical musings that tie together science and everyday life, creating The Science of Living. Ro’s scientific mind comes from her father and all of the things he taught her about the universe. She uses this knowledge to make sense of the world and to describe observations that she has of others. The reference to the emptiness of space also represents the grief that she thinks of constantly while the rest of the world moves along noisily.

“I’d always dreamed of building rockets someday, but it had never occurred to me that I could launch Dad’s things into outer space.”

When Ro gets the idea to create a time capsule of her father’s belongings and send it into space, she discovers that Finding Meaning in the Face of Loss can come about through the simplest and sometimes most unexpected means. The project gives Ro focus and purpose and provides an opportunity for bonding with her new friend, Benji.

“Seriously, what on Earth was she up to?”

In this clever play on words, Benji wonders what Ro is doing buying all sorts of supplies from the general store. His curiosity gets the best of him, and when he asks Ro about it, it’s the beginning of what becomes a strong and purposeful friendship.