The Luna Choosing Game

With a statement like there, I had no polite way of backing out. Not that I would. These kids needed me,

and Elva was already having fun with them, playing on the slides.

Nicholas and I would just have to put aside our differences long enough to help the kids. After that, we

could go back to not getting along as usual.

After confirming I would be staying, the caretaker offered to lead me and Mark inside.

“I’ll stay out here,” Mark said. “Keep an eye on the kids.”

I was grateful. If he watched Elva, I knew I wouldn’t have to worry.

Inside, I joined Nicholas in the kitchen. He was washing dishes, preparing for the day’s main event:

lunch. And what an extravagant lunch it would be, if the piles of containers were any indication.

“Did you bring all this from the palace?” I peeked under the aluminum foil on one of the containers. Inside was at least ten servings of garlic potatoes.

“One of the cooks is particularly fond of me,” Nicholas said. “She makes special servings when I ask.”

There’s a ton

it goes to a good cause. Plus, I make sure she’s well compensated for the

money? No wonder she liked

finished washing a plate then set it aside on a wet stack. Grabbing a towel, I

and began to dry.

dishes to me

many times had

the location wasn’t

help out the kids at the

my good fortune from being there, it was the least I could do to pay some of

always accompanied me. Often times,

never stopped,” he said.

after Elva, with her sickness, we couldn’t always go like I had used

year, Elva and I help out at an orphanage closer to home. For

Nicholas grunted in acknowledgement.

probably didn’t want to reminisce, but it

like this,” I said.

I’ll never forget.

were going to surprise me. You were ready for me to

it.”

remember that. “What was the

at a dish to glance at me.