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.”

really like you. There’s a

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

money? No wonder she

a plate then set it aside on a wet stack.

and began to dry.

Him washing and then passing the dishes

many times had we shared moments just

wasn’t

the Academy? We used to help out the

all my good fortune from being there, it was the

always accompanied me. Often times, he went even when I

never stopped,” he said.

say the same, but after Elva, with her sickness, we couldn’t

year, Elva and I help out at an

Nicholas grunted in acknowledgement.

want to reminisce, but it was

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

never forget. I felt like a superhero with quick

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

it.”

remember

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