Chapter 2: The Dessert
For the rest of that day Scott couldn't shake the slightly eerie feeling the dream had given him. He kept himself busy and also went for a six mile run, being a firm believer that physical exercise could cure most mental ills.
At dinnertime everyone was seated around the huge table eating and chatting. Kyrano had served up a chicken, vegetable and noodle meal that was both tasty and very healthy. It soon disappeared as everyone ate with enthusiasm. Scott couldn't fault Kyrano's food as it was always delicious and nutritious but, as a man of action, he did like his carbohydrates. He was never adverse to fried chicken and fried potatoes but the stodgy, bad-for-you meals only made an appearance after a rescue when the team needed a boost.
Dessert arrived in the form of a fruit salad. As it was placed in front of him, Scott gave a small, disappointed sigh and leant towards Gordon who was seated next to him.
"I wish we were having Grandma's apple pie," he whispered wistfully. Gordon chuckled and was about to reply when…
"YUCK!" Plop.
The "yuck" had been from Virgil who, despite many years of nagging from his grandmother, had still not come to grips with the idea of not starting a course until everyone else had been served. He was sitting opposite Gordon and the 'plop' had been the result of a piece of pineapple being expelled from his mouth with some force and landing in Gordon's bowl. Gordon observed the pineapple for a moment and then looked at Virgil, raising his eyebrows with amusement.
"Having trouble controlling your food, Virg?" he enquired sweetly. Kyrano hurried over to the table.
"Mr. Virgil, is there something wrong with your dish?"
Virgil had the grace to look slightly abashed at his outburst. "I…er…it's only," he began apologetically, "…the fruit salad which, by the way, is usually delicious, tastes a bit…well…sour."
A look of horror appeared on Kyrano's face. Like a magician, he made a spoon appear from his long sleeve and he took a taste of the dessert.
"Oh my goodness, you are right, I am so sorry. I can assure you that it was fine when I made it earlier today. There must have been a delayed reaction between the fruit juices and the syrup. Please accept my sincere apologies."
Kyrano hurried to clear up the dishes as everyone else made comforting murmurs about it not being a problem. Grandma eased herself slowly to her feet.
"I think there's some of my apple pie in the freezer. It won't take a minute to heat through."
After Kyrano had removed Scott's and Gordon's plates, Gordon smiled at his eldest brother. "Looks like your wish came true."
Scott chuckled and then his own smile vanished. His wish had come true. The memory of the dream began to replay in his mind. He almost literally shook himself to get rid of it. He was being ridiculous. He would be the first to admit that, since knowing Kyrano, he was able to give more credence to scientifically unexplainable spiritual happenings but believing that some kid he rescued actually had the power to grant him three wishes? You're losing it, Scotty.