Chapter 37 : Winter Party

Mila

“What’s that you’re eating?”

I looked up from my lunch to see Noah standing over my chair. I’d been lost in thought, and hadn’t noticed his approach.

“Oh, it’s some chicken salad Oliver made for me.”

“Chicken salad?”

Wrinkles furrowed his face as he looked dubiously at my lunch.

“But it has grapes in it. And is that a pecan?”

“It’s a walnut, Noah.”

“I’m sorry. I’m a progressive-minded fellow, but grapes and walnuts in my chicken salad is a bridge too far. I’ll stick with celery, mayo and chicken.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to try a bite? You might change your mind.”

I selected a new plastic spoon from the tray sitting on the break room table. Once I’d collected a dollop of chicken salad, I held it up to him.

“Oh, what the heck.”

Noah took the spoon and put it in his mouth. The sour look on his face faded.

“You know, that’s not half bad.”

He continued to chew and then swallowed.