The smell of the food was tantalizing her. Like the best restaurant she and her parents had ever been to for a work event. As with everything else, Peri hired flaired chefs and every meal was a feast. Even the buttered roll she whetted her appetite with had a dimension beyond what you'd expect from a humble dinner roll <awkward wording>. Was there carrot in it? She couldn't imagine getting tired of the food. Who thought to put a stuffed kumquat together with a bell pepper slaw? It didn't make sense, but the taste was amazing.
Jac was smiling at her from across the table. “What?” she mumbled through a mouthful of mashed fiddlehead ferns.
“You haven't changed a bit, have you?”
She swallowed and decided to change the conversation. “So what have you been doing since you left? I was really surprised about it. It seemed like you were there one day and then you just disappeared. And your letters didn't explain anything.
That took the smile off his face. He looked down and fiddled with a stray sprig of parsley. “My parents died.”
“Oh shit. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry to bring it up.”
“No. It's fine. I hadn't told you. You couldn't have known. My grandparents took me in, and my sisters. You remember them, right?”
Miryana had vague memories of two little girls running around and messing with her toys while they played at his house. She also remembered him having an older brother, but she stopped herself before asking about him. “That's such a tragedy. Your parents were so kind. I hope your grandparents treated you well.”
“They did.” But that cloud was still over his face. Miryana didn't know what to say. They ate in silence for a time.