Here's a dialogue-heavy chapter that's a bit longer.
Also, I suspect chapters might get longer as the story progresses. Plus, the semester just began so updates might be more far between.
But I already said this story is complete, save for some details, so it will be finished.
Okay, back to dinner.
Initial completion: August 30, 2021
Silver smiled to himself as he heard the door close. It warmed his old heart to hear Jim's voice again.
Leaving just a few dishes unwashed Silver had moved to the opposite side of the small kitchen to put the clean plates in the cupboard.
Also to eavesdrop better.
Yes, it was bad manners. But even though he couldn't even let Jim know he was here Silver wanted to know how the boy was doing. Besides, now he knew that bumbling robot was going to be here tomorrow so he could make sure to stay extra hidden.
Not long after her son left Sarah entered the kitchen and went to finish the last of the dishes, her back now turned to his.
Silver's mind pitted two thoughts against each other: on one hand, it would be safer to bite his tongue and say nothing, but on the other hand, it had been a while and he wanted to know how Jim was doing.
His tongue was spared the bite. "Yer son," he began as he turned back a little, "… he sounds to be a pleasant lad."
Sarah remained in her position but still answered, "He is, he always comes over on the weekends to lend me a hand around here even though he has plenty of homework on his plate."
Silver hummed and continued putting away the dishes. "Must be busy with school," he remarked.
"Very, but he's a hard worker," she answered, "Top of his class in the Royal Interstellar Academy."
Silver heard the smile in her voice, which caused him to smile as well. Jim had spoken to Silver about his mother fondly, so the cyborg knew she must have been very proud of Jim.
And so was he.
In no time the dinnerware had been cleaned, dried, and put away. Finally, there was time to sit and eat. Sarah had just plated herself some dinner when she caught a glimpse of someone moving into the hallway. "Where are you going, John?" she asked.
He stopped and stuck his head back in the door. "I, eh… best be getting to bed," he explained. "Early t'rise, as they say."
She momentarily set her dish down and swiftly prepared another plate for him. "I don't suppose you would rather eat on a bed when there's a dining room." A soft grin spread on her face as she lifted both plates. "I assume after a few days you have noticed."
Silver became rigid as she offered the plate to him.
"I won't make you stay," she said rather reluctantly, "… but I thought it would be nice to have company when we eat."
He took a moment to consider the offer. Silver didn't mind eating alone, he was used to it. But he felt that Sarah was telling him she didn't want to if she didn't have to. He let out a soft sigh in defeat as he gently took the dish.
"Suppose it would be nice."
Sarah's smile became noticeably brighter as she made her way to the dining room while Silver hesitantly followed.
She had turned out most of the lights save for a handful near the table at the end of the room near the now-closed window. She took a seat and Silver sat opposite to her. Just as he was about to dig in, Sarah spoke again, "Do you mind if we say grace?"
His body froze and his mind blanked. "Eh… of course," he eventually managed to say. Sarah closed her eyes and Silver mirrored.
"We give thanks for this meal," she began. "We give thanks for the hands that prepared it. I especially give thanks for John and the help he has given me."
Silver quietly cleared his throat as he silently adjusted his collar.
Sarah said a few more thanks, finished with an 'amen', and began eating just as he did.
Not many words were exchanged between the two initially. What was to be said?
Despite the handful of days Silver had already been there nothing much had been said between them. There were the initial greetings and occasional chats, but there was never a chance for a proper conversation.
However, since the opportunity came upon them and the silence was deafening, Silver took the initiative. "Say lass, I must tell ye. This be a mighty fine establishment ya've got." He gestured to the dining hall before adding, "But after bein' 'ere these couple 'o days it has come to my attention 'at ye've got no one else helpin' ya."
Sarah wiped her mouth with her napkin as she let out a sigh. "I don't mind serving others," she began, "… but yes, it can be a bit challenging. I've definitely had more clientele since last year when we finished the repairs and refurbishments."
She gestured to the room herself. "We used to have more help, back when both of us were earning enough money to afford workers."
"I'm sure yer son wishes he had more time to help ye."
She stopped at his words, eventually clearing her throat a bit, "That is to say… when my husband and I were earning enough."
Silver's face immediately fell. He was very aware that Mr. Hawkins had left and Silver had no intention to open up those wounds.
Not knowing what else to do he only mumbled as he turned his attention to his plate, "I see."
Sarah exhaled as she continued. "But now that it's just me it can get stressful sometimes."
Silver cleared his throat and tried sliding into another topic, "Well, ya did say yer son still helps you. So ye've got that, at least."
Sarah tried smiling. "I suppose you're right, he does continue to help me out so much even though he's so busy." But her attempted smile failed, instead gaining a forlorn expression and gazing off into nothing. Silver nearly turned his head to see whatever it was that caught her attention.
However, she cleared her throat once more and put on another smile, "But since you've been around I've definitely had some weight lifted off of my shoulders."
He blinked at her sudden change in demeanor but sheepishly grinned in return.
"Oh!" she exclaimed suddenly. "I think I should mention that a friend of mine is coming over here tomorrow. He's a pilot in the Royal Navy but he'll often come by to lend me a hand as well."
Silver knew about B.E.N. coming over early enough for him to hatch an excuse to keep hidden from the bot. "The Royal Navy?" he asked with faux surprise. "Now there's some folks who'd take me away in the blink of an eye."
"It's only B.E.N.," she reasoned. "I'm sure he wouldn't know anything about you or those pirates."
Silver shook his head. "All the same, I don't think I'd be taking me chances." There was no way that bot was going to find out. Being seen by random strangers was one thing, but being seen by someone who he had threatened and who had witnessed his malicious behavior on Treasure Planet was far more severe.
"Well," Sarah said thoughtfully, "… if you insist on keeping your distance I can put you on the second floor while he stays on the first."
Silver readily agreed as he clasped his hands together. "Sure t'ing, lass! I'll be there bright an' early!" he proclaimed with a wide grin.
Sarah interjected with a point of her finger. "But you won't just be cleaning," she informed, "… you'll be helping out with the residents and their needs."
His grin faded and his mind became confused. "Needs? Akin to what?"
Sarah waved a hand. "It varies from person to person but it's usually little things. Making the bed, getting down the stairs, etcetera. I'll show you around tomorrow."
This was something Silver was not too sure about. He didn't need people seeing him and giving him judging stares, and he couldn't afford to be recognized.
But he needed to keep on Sarah's good side. "Sounds like a plan," he eventually muttered.
Sarah politely smiled as she took the last bite of her food.
Silver had finished a bit before so she cleaned his plate up along with hers. "Give that table a wipe, please," she asked as she went towards the kitchen. "I'll put these to wash."
He nodded and she disappeared behind the double doors.
As Silver grabbed a rag he wondered what tomorrow would be like. He had already gotten used to the labor he was doing: washing dishes, mopping floors, and wiping tables like this one- all the while staying in the shadows.
Hopefully, things wouldn't go too far south and it would just be one day closer to the dock being fixed and him getting out of there.