House of Lunches:
Jerome stood face to face with Mr. Griffin.
"Where were you?" Asked Mr. Griffin.
"That's none of your business," said Jerome.
"It's my business if students don't show up to my class," said Mr. Griffin.
"I'm not your student! You're not even a teacher," said Jerome.
"Who says that?" Asked Mr. Griffin.
"Me! And when I go to Mr. Sweet," said Jerome, as he was about the walk away.
"You're not going to Mr. Sweet," said Mr. Griffin.
"Oh no? I'm going now," said Jerome, as he stopped walking.
"I thought you cared about your father," said Mr. Griffin.
"My father?" Said Jerome.
"Yes, your father and his freedom," said Mr. Griffin.
"What do you know about that?" Asked Jerome.
"I know everything Jerome," said Mr. Griffin.
"But," said Jerome.
"So keep your mouth shut," said Mr. Griffin.
Mr. Griffin walked away. Jerome was confused, how did Mr. Griffin know about his father's situation?
A few moments later. The club was preparing lunch for Nina. Alfie entered the room and saw the food.
"Food!" Cheered Alfie.
"No," said Fabian.
"Don't touch it, Nina hasn't even had anything yet, "said Amber.
"Nina?" Asked Alfie.
"This especially for Nina," said Amber.
"What do you mean especially for Nina?" Asked Alfie.
Alfie looked over at Nina's bed and saw Nina. Nina waved a friendly wave at Alfie.
"Nina, how are you doing?" Asked Alfie.
"It's going better," said Nina.
"Good. And do you already know?" Asked Alfie.
Fabian nudged Alfie in his rib.
"Don't mention it, the doctor said she could have a relapse," said Fabian.
"Do I already know what?" Asked Nina.
"What would like to eat. Do you prefer, a chocolate muffin or a tasty sandwich without the crust," said Alfie.
"This is called a cucumber sandwich," said Amber.
"Yeah whatever," said Alfie.
Fabian sat down with Nina and offered her a muffin.
"Here for you," said Fabian.
"No, you take it," said Nina
"You take it," said Fabian.
"Alright did we come here to see you go all lovey dovey," teased Alfie.
"No," said Fabian.
The rest of the club sat down and had a cup of tea and some food.
"I called my uncle," said Fabian.
"Oh really?" Asked Patricia.
"Is he talking again?" Asked Amber.
"No, I spoke to a caretaker from the nursing home," said Fabian.
"So he doesn't talk?" Asked Amber.
"Sort of, he mumbles, that's what the man on the phone said. I'm going to visit him tomorrow during the lunch break," said Fabian.
"That's super," said Nina.
Then he can also tell you where those seeds are of the…, said Patricia, not remembering what they were called.
"Purple lily," said Alfie.
"Purple lotus, Nymphaea Caerulea. I hope so," said Fabian.
"If we've those seeds, then we can go on with those riddles," said Amber.
"Yes, all we've to do then is plant the seeds," said Fabian
The club continued with lunch.
In the meantime. Trudy was in the bathroom and had a tub filled with tea and bay leaves and was washing clothes in it.
"Is this another one of your ridiculous rituals?" Asked Victor.
"Victor I'm making the clothes spirit repellent," said Trudy.
"There are no spirits here! Shouted Victor.
"I've made a mistake," said Trudy.
"I see that, I'm glad you finally see it too," said Victor.
"The spirit keeps taking possession of someone else and that's why it didn't make sense yesterday. And I couldn't tell the difference," said Trudy.
"The difference between crazy and not crazy, that seems clear to me," said Victor.
"And with this I drive the spirits away and they never come back," said Trudy.
"Stop it with this nonsense," said Victor.
Victor picked up the mop and handed it to Trudy.
"Here you go," said Victor
"What should I do with this?" Asked Trudy.
"What I hired you for," said Victor.
"But...," said Trudy.
"No buts, start cleaning. The house has become a total mess, take care of it, said Victor.
Victor left the bathroom and Trudy continued with her ritual.
Back in Nina and Amber's room. The club was still having lunch.
"Amber what exactly are these sandwiches?" Asked Nina.
They are cucumber sandwiches, very classy. My mum always had them when she had her high teas, said Amber.
"Yeah, those terrible high teas of hers," said Aaron.
"Terrible? they were great," said Amber.
"Amber it was a competition between mum and her 'friends' to show off who had it better," said Aaron.
"No it wasn't," said Amber.
"Yes it was. Mum wanted to show off her beautiful house, her success and her perfect twins children," said Aaron.
"Well even if that was the case. I like it and I thought our outfits were so great," said Amber.
"Outfits? You had special outfits for such things?" Asked Patricia.
"Unfortunately yes," said Aaron.
"Don't listen to him, our outfits were always great," said Amber.
Suddenly Nina started to yawn.
"Nina are you okay?" Asked Patricia.
"Yeah, I'm just a little tired," said
"Okay this was fun, but we're going again," said Amber.
"Yeah, let's give Nina some rest, said Patricia.
"But I'm still hungry," complained Alfie.
"Then you take something with you," said Aaron.
"I really enjoyed having you here," said Nina.
Fabian gave Nina a quick kiss and left the room with the rest of the club. Nina closed her eyes and fell asleep.
In the meantime. Mara was in her room doing some homework when Jerome entered the room.
"Hey," said Jerome.
"Oh hi, how was it with your father?" Asked Mara.
"Good, great actually," said Jerome, as he sat down on Mara's bed.
"Really? Why?" Asked Mara.
"My father might get out of prison soon," said Jerome.
"Really? That is amazing," said Mara.
"Yes, it's a 50/50 chance," said Jerome.
"But Jerome it's great that he has a chance anyway," said Mara.
"Yeah, it's so great," said Jerome.
"When will you hear more about it?" Asked Mara.
"No idea, he sees he has a parole hearing soon, but we don't have any details yet," said Jerome.
"If there's anything I can do for you, you say it," said Mara.
"You've already done enough for me by supporting me and I haven't made it easy for you especially how I treated you," said Jerome.
"Let's not talk about that, I'm just so happy for you," said Mara.
Mara gave Jerome a hug. On the one hand, Jerome was happy that his father might be released, but on the other, he couldn't stop thinking about what Mr. Griffin was saying.
The hours flew by and it was night. Everyone was asleep.
The next day. Aaron and Otis were in their room getting ready for school. Aaron looked in his closet for a shirt.
"Otis do you know where my shirts are?" Asked Aaron.
"No, aren't they just sitting in your closet?" Asked Otis
"No," said Aaron.
"Maybe they're still in the laundry room, Trudy did some laundry yesterday," said Otis.
"I'm going to look there," said Aaron.
Aaron left the room and went to the laundry room.
A short while later. The residents were having breakfast at the table.
"What is this!" Shouted Aaron.
Aaron came into the living room and his entire shirt was stained with tea, the other residents laughed. At the same time, Victor also entered the living room.
"Yeah keep on laughing, my shirt is ruined," said Aaron.
"It suits you quite well," joked Otis.
"Maybe it will be the new fashion," joked Eddie.
"Trudy," said Victor.
"Yes, Victor," said Trudy.
"It's been enough, you're fired," said Victor.
"What!" Shouted the residents.
"Ruined the laundry, smeared floors with glue and those ridiculous spirits rituals, it's enough, said Victor.
"Victor please don't fire her," begged Mara.
"Please Victor, let Trudy stay," begged Fiona.
"Pretty please Victor," begged Trudy.
"Fine, but this is your last chance. One more incident and you're out here for good," said Victor.
Victor walked back to his office, Trudy was relieved that she wasn't fired.
"And what about me? I can't go to school wearing this shirt," said Aaron.
"Maybe you can borrow a shirt from the other guys," suggested Fiona.
"Sorry, I'm wearing my last clean shirt myself," said Eddie.
"You're a lot taller than me, my shirts are too small for you," said Fabian.
"Yeah you're kind of freakishly tall," said Alfie.
"Guess I've no choice then," said Aaron.
After breakfast, the residents went to school.
A few hours later and it was lunch break. Fabian left to visit his uncle at the nursing home. Fabian passed Patricia and Joy standing by their lockers.
"See you later," said Fabian.
"You're in a happy mood," said Joy.
"Are you going to see your uncle now?" Asked Patricia.
"Yes," said Fabian.
Fabian left and headed to the exit. Patricia and Joy closed their lockers and started walking.
"I wouldn't be so happy if I went to see my uncle, not even my favorite uncle," said Joy.
"It's because of Nina," said Patricia.
"Oh I get it now, Fabian the Brain is in love," said Joy.
"Big time," said Patricia.
"Do you think I'll ever find someone?" Asked Joy.
"Sure you have your anonymous hunchback letter writer," joked Patricia.
"He doesn't have a hunchback," said Joy.
"I'm just kidding," said Patricia.
"Speaking of love. Are looking forward to your date with Eddie tonight?" Asked Joy.
"Yes, I actually am," said Patricia.
"I want to hear all the details later," said Joy.
Patricia and Joy walked to the drama room and enjoyed their lunch break.
At the same time. Jerome was standing by Mr. Griffin's classroom and saw him sitting there. Jerome took a deep breath and entered the classroom.
"Hello Jerome," said Mr. Griffin.
"What do you know about my father?" Asked Jerome.
"Take a seat," said Mr. Griffin.
"I'd rather stand," said Jerome.
"I would take a seat if I were you," said Mr. Griffin.
Jerome sat down.
"Now tell me, what do you know about my father?" Asked Jerome.
"I know he has a chance to get out," said Mr. Griffin.
"How do you know this?" Asked Jerome.
"I've connections Jerome," said Mr. Griffin.
"Okay good for you, but I'm not going to do anything for you anymore," said Jerome.
"Not even when your father's release can be guaranteed?" Asked Mr. Griffin.
"Guaranteed?" Asked Jerome.
"Yeah, but then you'll have to do a few little things for me," said Mr. Griffin.
"I don't know what you're up to, it must be no good. But if it can help my father get out, I will do it," said Jerome.
A short while later. Fabian had arrived at the nursing home where his uncle was staying.
"Uncle Ade," said Fabian.
"Fabian, my favorite nephew," said Ade.
"How are you?" Asked Fabian.
"Huh what", said Ade.
"This is for you, said Fabian, as he gave the fruit basket to his uncle.
"For me? Is it my birthday?" Asked Ade.
"It's a get well soon gift," said Fabian.
"Get well soon? I'm not sick am I?" Asked Ade.
"You kinda are uncle Ade," said Fabian.
"How sad," said Ade
"Uncle Ade I want to ask you something, said Fabian.
Fabian took the photo of the purple lotus from his bag and showed it to his uncle.
"Do you know what this is? Asked Fabian.
"The Bride of the Nile, said Ade
"The purple lotus flower? Asked Fabian.
"No, Nelumbo Nucifera," said Ade.
"Nelumbo Nucifera, isn't that the same?" Asked Fabian.
"Uh what?" Asked Ade.
"The Nelumbo Nucifera, I must have the seeds," said Fabian
"The seeds? The seeds, that is not easy," said Ade.
"I know," said Fabian.
Suddenly Uncle Ade started acting weird, he held out his arms and his hands were clenching. Fabian looked concerned at his uncle.
"Uncle Ade, Uncle Ade," said Fabian, trying to get his uncle out of his sate
"Ebony," said Ade.
"Ebony?" Asked Fabian.
"An ebony box," said Ade.
"What about it?" Asked Fabian.
"The seeds!' Said Ade.
"Are the seeds in the box?' Asked Fabian.
"Yes," said Ade.
"Where is the box uncle?" Asked Fabian.
"In the... in the...," said Ade.
"In the shop? Uncle Ade?" Asked Fabian.
"The black seed in dead soil," said Ade.
"Uncle Ade?" Asked Fabian.
Uncle Ade grabbed Fabian's wrists tightly and looked at him with a concerned and confusing look.
"Ouch," said Fabian.
"Plant the seed in dead soil and it will become insatiable! Then it wants... then it wants...," said Ade.
"What does it want?" Asked Fabian.
"Living flesh," said Ade.
This shocked Fabian. Did his uncle really mean that the plant really wanted living flesh or was his uncle still too confused to know what he was saying.