“Hi,” Paul bounced into the kitchen scaring Sarah.
She shrieked.
“I’m so sorry.” Paul hopped on one of the stools in front of the kitchen island. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It’s okay.” She smiled. “Did you get in trouble over the pork thing?”
“Yes and no. Dad is so cool. He has never raised his voice to me about anything. He explains the difference between right and wrong and that’s that. Mom on the other hand, she has this vain on the side of her neck.” Paul pointed to his neck. “When that thing comes out, and it does often. I run to dad until she cools down. All dad said about dinner was what you heard him say. Mom was in a malevolent mood all night.” He watched her for a moment. “Thanks for not mentioning the carriage in front of mom. She would have wigged out?”
“Why?”
“She doesn’t approve of me doing anything she feels is too dangerous.”
“You are most welcome.” She smiled. “If you don’t mind me asking, you said that cauliflower hurt you. How?”
“Have you seen my dad get sick?” Paul asked.
“Yes, I have.”
“It does that to me. Nothing else I have ever eaten has done that. It just hurts really badly.”
“Do you know what you’re going to have for dinner before the meal starts?”
“Most of the time.”
“I will talk to your father. They make medicine for that that could help you. If you are going to be made to eat it, then it might help with the pain.”
“What are you cooking?”
“I have a craving for a cheeseburger that won’t quit.” She answered as she rooted through the kitchen. “Vaulto said lunch is a rarely served meal around here. I wouldn’t be bothering anyone.”
“Why didn’t you let him make it?” Paul gave her a confused look.
“Why should I?”
“That’s his job.”
“I can cook.”
“Really?” He thought for a moment. “Have you been a servant?”
“No.”
“Do you have servants?”
Sarah was still looking for the stuff she needed. Vaulto stood in the door, “may I help pretty lady?”
‘Right’, she thought to herself. “Vaulto, I can’t find a thing. This kitchen is huge.”
“What you need?”
“Do you have a grill?”
“I.” He disappeared.
“To answer your question Paul, in a manner of speaking.”
“Either you do or you don’t.”
Vaulto returned with a griddle. He placed it on the gas stove. It stretched across two burners. He turned the gas on low. “Tell me what do, I cook.”
“Okay.” She sat down beside of Paul, defeated. “How do you describe a servant?”
“Vaulto.” Paul was quick to point out.
“Okay as an occupation Vaulto is a servant. What about the man?”
“A servant. They are one and the same.”
She turned her attention to Vaulto. “Pat out ground beef into patties big enough to fit on these.” She had found some Meso rolls during her search. “Make the patties about an inch thick.” He set to work making her patties.
“How many to make?”
“Three.” She smiled.
“So Vaulto isn’t a man with needs and his own personality? He’s a servant?” She shrugged her shoulders.
“He’s a servant.” Paul answered.
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