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

cause. Plus, I make sure

No wonder she

plate then set it aside on a wet stack. Grabbing

and began to dry.

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

had we

wasn’t all that

We used to help out the kids at the orphanage

there, it was the least I could do to pay some

me. Often times, he

never stopped,” he said.

after Elva, with her sickness, we

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

Nicholas grunted in acknowledgement.

probably didn’t want to reminisce, but it was hard

best conversations like this,” I

I caught it? I’ll never forget. I felt like

going to surprise me. You were ready

it.”

was?” I didn’t remember that. “What was the

stopped scrubbing at a dish to glance at me. His face was