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.”

must really like you. There’s a ton of food

to a good cause. Plus, I make sure

wonder

a wet

and began to dry.

washing and then passing the dishes to me to dry. It reminded me of when

been dating. How many times had we shared moments just

location wasn’t

you remember at the Academy? We used to help out the kids

the least

always accompanied me. Often times, he went

never stopped,” he said.

the same, but after Elva, with her sickness, we couldn’t always go like I

out at an orphanage

Nicholas grunted in acknowledgement.

reminisce, but it was hard

like this,” I said. “Do you

never forget. I felt like a

going to surprise me. You were ready

it.”

remember that. “What was

a dish to glance at me. His face was entirely passive, but

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