It occured to Kate probably far, far later than it should have, that Brian and his grandmother must be tight on money. He had just gone to college which would mean that there would be student loans to repay, and then there was his comment on only having cans off pork and beans in the house and all the overtime he worked. Kate sympathized, but she knew from experience that sympathy often felt like pity, which she hated and assumed he would too. He was a good kid and a good worker. She could help him, right? And it wouldn't be sympathy.
"You know, Brian," she said after a moment. "I've been thinking of starting my own little project here at the lab. It would be after hours and would involve some astronomy. If you'd like to maybe help... That would be appreciated. Discretion would be necessary and you wouldn't be paid by the lab, but I would personally pay you out of pocket."