Page 21 of Spring Showers

Her laugh was like a song, and Grant felt a crack forming in the wall around his heart in that moment. He would very much like to tease her back, and he was glad that he had a whole week to try. She followed him around the maze of little tables, and he directed her around his side with his free arm.

“Mind if I join you?” Thandie asked the ladies, who quickly agreed. “Grant was just telling me how much he loves octopus. Did you try some?”

“It’s delicious,” Anne said and took a long, slimy piece. “I’ve never had it prepared like this. But Grant, it doesn’t look like you put any on your plate.”

He shook his head at Thandie. “She’s mistaken. I do not like octopus. And she doesn’t like corn.”

“Funny,” Margret said and pushed the black risotto off to the side of her plate. “I don’t like squid ink, and yet here it is. Anne, is there something the chef prepared that you don’t prefer too?”

Anne inspected her plate and then looked over to the buffet. “As a matter of fact. I had put down that I don’t like creamed vegetables. And there was that broccoli dish, though I’ve never seen broccoli like that before.”

Grant was catching on, but didn’t know if he should say anything. It appeared that the chef had created dinner based on their preference sheets, but had used their dislikes instead of their likes. He was curious whether the decision had been a mistake or if the chef had intentionally prepared the disliked dishes in a new way. The chef had even encouraged the group to give things a try. If it was an intentional act, Grant was impressed by the chef’s audacity and would certainly include it in his report. He hoped for Leo’s sake that the chef hadn’t made a huge miscalculation, though.

“Do you think I should go ask?” Thandie said and was already getting up from the table.

Grant intercepted her hand and tugged ever so slightly, causing her to pause. He pulled a little harder, and she sat back down. Their hands stayed together long after the need was there for him to touch her. It was as though the whole world was silent for a split second and then rushed back at him all at once. Touching her was like a tide going out only to be followed by a tsunami wave of butterflies and heartbeats.

He snapped back his hand. The shock on her face was surely mimicked on his own, though neither of them said a word.

“Single, huh?” Margret teased and broke the air surrounding them.

“I think I’ll go find the chef now,” Thandie said, and this time, got up on the far side of her chair so as to avoid his touch again.

After she walked away, Grant eyed Margret. “Look what you did. Made her leave,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be so sure. Just you wait and see. I think she likes you,” Margret said with a single nod that proclaimed that was that.

Anne leaned over to him. “See. Nosey.”

“I heard that,” Margret said and turned up her chin. Straightening her back, she cleared her throat and motioned with her eyes as a warning. And not a moment too soon. “What did you find out about this meal, dear?”

Thandie’s hip brushed against Grant’s upper-arm as she came back around to her seat, and he instinctively looked. It was only a split second. But hehadlooked.

“Chef wasn’t there,” Thandie said. “But mark my words, I will uncover the truth about this intriguing meal.” Thandie took a bite of the octopus. “You’re right, Anne. This is really good.” Grant sucked in a chuckle as she skewered the remaining pieces with her fork and filled her cheeks to the breaking point.

“Maybe you should try that corn after all,” Grant joked.

“Not in your lifetime.”

“You can’t give up corn forever, you know.”

“I can try,” Thandie laughed and took a bite of something else, savoring the flavors with a gentle grin.

As Grant skewered his own piece of octopus, Leo came around Thandie’s back. He leaned over her shoulder and spoke into her ear. Grant tilted his body to hear, to eavesdrop, but was unable to make out any words. Thandie nodded as though she understood what was being told to her.

When Leo was done, he stood and nodded to them. “Enjoying dinner?”

“Yes, very much,” Margret said.

“Delicious,” Anne added.

“Compliments to the chef,” Grant said. As Leo turned away, he leaned over to Thandie. “Everything alright?”

She shook her head and forced a smile. “Please excuse me for a moment.” Thandie got up from her seat and placed her napkin on her plate like she was finished. He watched her walk across the room, pull a chair towards the wall and step up onto the seat.

As she clapped her hands, the dozen guests stopped what they were doing, mid chew, mid cackle, mid thought, and turned towards the sound. The tension in her face radiated bad news. She took a deep breath. Her chest filled slowly, and he could see she was holding the air in for a few seconds before letting it out. He was on the edge of his seat.

She began. “Good evening to each of you. I’m happy to officially welcome you to The Foundry Retreat and begin our week together. For those of you who don’t remember names well, my name is Thandie and I’m the activities director here.” Leo returned and handed her a stack of papers. “I have the tentative schedule for the week.” She stepped down quickly and passed the papers to the closest guest. “Will you pass these around? Thank you.” Returning to her perch, she continued. “There is one caveat I must correct. The bonfire, listed for tonight, has been rescheduled for Wednesday evening due to the rainy weather.”

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