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.”

you. There’s

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

No wonder

set it aside on a wet stack. Grabbing a towel, I went to

and began to dry.

then passing the dishes to me to dry. It reminded me of

had we shared moments just

location wasn’t

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

being there, it was the least I could

me. Often times, he went even

never stopped,” he said.

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

Elva and I help out at an

Nicholas grunted in acknowledgement.

probably didn’t want to reminisce, but it

of our best conversations like this,” I said. “Do

I’ll never forget. I felt like a superhero with

asked you a question, and you knew you were going

it.”

remember that. “What

at a dish to glance at me. His