The nurse entered shortly after as promised. She seemed to have forgotten the fact that she bodied me yesterday and if she remembered she didn't show it. I was fine with that though, at least it wouldn't be awkward. The walk down the old hall and to the cafeteria was a short and silent one.
My late arrival meant that I wouldn't have to wait in line forever and fortunately there was some leftover food that had been put aside. I grabbed a tray and waited for the cook to dish out some mushy oatmeal, a piece of stale bread and an apple that hopefully was still ripe.
I turned towards the tables and surveyed the area, dismayed. "Over here!" A voice called. I turned to my left to find Betty calling me over with the same classic deck of cards and a smile. Tom waved me over to the table the trio sat at. I smiled genuinely, feeling glad I wouldn't have to sit alone or fight for a spot with someone else. Looking over my food selection I decided the apple alone would have to suffice and hold me over until lunch. When I looked up, Jo acknowledged me with a curt nod with a cool look on his face before he turned back around and proceeded to peek at both Betty and Tom's cards while they were distracted. I chuckled lightly and took another bite of my apple. "So how are you enjoying your stay?" Tom's voice called out to me. I swallowed the food in my mouth and turned to look at him. "Well... its been um.. eventful." Everyone at the table laughed at my answer. "Yeah and -"
"Ms. Foreman." the warden's authoritative voice called out. The entire cafeteria went silent as some people began to sneak glances or openly stare at me. I cringed and turned to the entrance. The warden stood under the doorway with two orderlies by his side and a nurse. I gulped and started walking towards him. He watched me carefully before letting his eyes slip to Betty, Jo and Tom at the table I'd been sitting at. When he looked back at me, he had a smirk on his face. He wrapped a hand around my shoulder as soon as I approached him. "This will be fun." he whispered.