"Lunch is served." A man of modest height and slender build came into the room. The man appeared to be in their 50's with short gray hair and a moustache. Danny could recognize the voice. From last night. The man that gave him the shot. He was unsure but felt more comfortable with this stranger now.
The group got up from the couch and walked towards the other room
"Come along Danny. I think you will really enjoy lunch." She walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "We still have a lot to talk about and you have a lot of questions. Yes I know you are curious about the man who just came in. We will answer every question in the next few days. It will all reveal itself soon."
He trusted her like no one else. Why would she lead him astray? Why would she take him here to do something bad? Nothing made any sense right now.
As he entered the dining area he became impressed in the ornate design of this room. A crystal chandelier hung over the middle of the large table. Danny tried counting all the chairs. He had never seen a table this large in real life. He remembered seeing one in a cartoon he watched about a kingdom. Oh yeah chairs. Every chair had cushioned arm rests. The distinctive style of these chairs appeared very old. Much older than anything he had ever seen. The table was wide enough there were two chairs at each end and another five on each side. He was good at math as he quickly realized 14 chairs at this table. He had only met six others so far plus him. That meant there could be seven others?!? Oh he had questions to ask.
"Danny please feel free to sit anywhere." She was standing at the other end of the table when she gave him a waving motion.
He had no clue why he was here and if he was just a guest. So he did as he only imagined and took one of the chairs at the head of the table. None of them were occupied. Once he sat down he was ready to be told that wasn't where he could sit. Instead.
"Oh I'm so happy you feel comfortable here. If you like this place it can be yours in the future."
He looked at her in disbelief. Never had he heard an adult offer him anything of value or at least what he thought was valued. Strange he thought. And was still pessimistic about anything he was being offered.
His new roommates took seats next to him. Renee pulled out the chair next to him.
"Can I sit next to you?" He didn't know what to think now. 'Is this some weird prank?' His peers never wanted to sit next to him before.
"We have a special event planned for after lunch. We will be eating light and then having our activity." She was still standing. This time near another fireplace in the dining room. Danny had watched movies with kingdoms like this. He never imagined this would be his next home. Especially after his year in the group home…
Danny had spent the last year in Maple Home. Not named that way for any special reason except the street it was on. He lived in a four bedroom home. Three of the rooms were occupied by six kids including himself. During the year he spent there he actually had 8 different roommates as other kids came and went. It was about the happiest he had been in years. The home he lived in had game nights every Friday and if the weather was good they would go on hiking trips. It was the most fun he ever had and yet most of the kids never wanted to be around him.
Another man came pushing a cart. This man was much shorter and had a small belly and was bald. The cart was stacked with plates and bowls. Danny had a wide open smile enjoying this moment as the man put a bowl in front of him.
"Cream of mushroom or tomato?" The man asked
"Whatttt???" He wasn't sure what the man was asking.
"Would you like cream of mushroom or tomato soup?" This time his voice was more abrupt.
"Oh tomato please…" He wasn't much for mushrooms. When the Budley's ordered pizza they would always get mushrooms. Lots of icky mushrooms that he would have to painstakingly remove one at a time.
"We have grilled cheese sandwiches made extra cheesy." Sandy came walking out of the kitchen with a platter that was covered. "Who wants one?" Everyone at the table raised their hands as she laid the platter on the table. She lifted the lid to unveil several sandwiches. "There are more than enough to have two."
Everyone sitting at the table grabbed a sandwich and started dunking them in their soup.
"These are soooo yummy." Renee had cheese