Coreopsis 13 b

   The patties sizzled when placed on the griddle. “Sprinkle them with garlic, salt, and soy sauce.”

   He looked confused. “K.”

   “How do you treat a servant?”

   “Like a servant.”

   “Do you have lettuce, tomatoes, onions, bread and butter pickles and cheese,” she asked Vaulto.

   “What measure of cheese?”

   She thought for a moment repeating ‘measure’ to herself. “Oh, slices.”

   “Lots.”

   “Pepper Jack?”

   “Yes.” He busied himself gathering the items she asked for. 

   Orion’s voice glided through the room. “Something smells good.”

   “Your nose works.” She grinned.

   “Don’t be mean to me.” He sat on the other side of Paul. He leaned in pretending to whisper, “she’s mean to me.” He leaned back up, “What are we doing?”

   “Vaulto is making cheeseburgers while Paul and I discuss servants.”

   “I believe,” Paul spoke, “the big question hasn’t been answered. Do you have servants?”

   She turned her attention to Vaulto. “Slice everything really thin. Almost shred the lettuce. Oh and turn the burgers.” 

   “Meso rolls better warm, served.” Vaulto suggested. 

   “Cut them in half before you heat them.” She turned her attention back to Paul. “I don’t have servants the way you have servants.”

   “What does that mean?” Orion asked.

   “I have a man and a woman in my house. They are married. Well,” she thought, “not literally in my house. They live in a little three room cottage near my house.” 

   “Who owns the cottage?” Paul asked.

   “I do. We have our meals together unless I’m having a party. Once a month, they get a weekend, Friday evening through Sunday night to do what they want. Each year, I give them $500.00. And once a year they get a week to do with what they want.”

   “$500.00,” Paul scoffed. “That’s not a lot of money.”

   “May I ask Vaulto a question without fear of reprimand?” Sarah asked. 

   “Sure,” Orion allowed it.

   Vaulto had just put the rolls in the oven.

   “Vaulto, what would you do with $500.00? Keep in mind, I provide everything; your clothing, your food and all your basic needs are met.”

   He thought for a moment. “I go visit mom.” He smiled.

   “Where are you from?”

   “Balto.”

   “Oh really, I’ve been there, what part?”

  “Solna.” 

   “That’s a small village. I had a patient there.”

   He moaned. “Mom’s cooking. No one cook like mom. I miss her.” He turned his attention back toward the food.

   “Melt the cheese over the meat then put the patty on the bottom half of the roll.”

   He laid out three plates in anticipation of their dish.

   “See Paul, everyone, no matter their station in life wants something. What may not seem like much to you may mean the world to someone else.”

   Paul just looked at her. He turned his attention to his dad. “What do you want dad?”

   “I want to be well again.”

   “What about you? What would you like to have?” Sarah asked.

   Paul twittled his thumbs. “I can’t have what I want.”

   She hopped off the stool as Vaulto placed the bottom of the rolls and patties on the plates. He turned the gas off. 

   “Here is what you do. You don’t have to eat anything you don’t like. Vaulto, you get one as well. You don’t have to eat with us if you don’t want to.”

   “Thank you.” Vaulto answered. 

   “Salt?” Sarah questioned. 

   “Here,” he handed her the salt.

   “Paul, why can’t you have what you want?” Sarah asked.

   “It isn’t possible.” Orion chimed in.

   “Dad, you’re a smart man but not that smart.” Paul scoffed.

   “You want your mom and I to act like grandma and pa.”

   Sarah set to building her perfect burger. She sprinkled it with lettuce, then one slice of tomato. She shuck salt all over it. Then she added a slice of onion, two pickles, and the top of the roll, squeezing the burger between the plate and her hand.

   Orion wiggled his finger at the plate.

   She pouted raising an eyebrow. “Mine.” A light in her eyes danced.

   He wiggled his finger again. 

   She raised her chin. “You won’t eat it. Mine.” She hissed. She pulled a knife from the drawer and cut it in half, keeping half and giving Orion half.

   “See son, I told you she was mean to me.” He started laughing, “I just wanted to see if you would give it to me.”

   “Will you eat it?” Her tone became more serious.

   “I will try.”

   “Okay,” she smiled.

   “See,” Paul hissed, throwing his arms up in the air, “why can’t you and mom act like that?”

   Orion took a deep breath. “She will not let me. I’ve tried. For years, I’ve tried.” He looked up from the burger at Paul. “I got tired of trying. I’ve tried.”

   Paul lowered his head. “How hard did you try?”

   “Vaulto,” Orion looked at him.

   “Tell you what know, young prince.” Vaulto spoke. 

   Sarah put together another burger. “May I have that one?” Paul asked.

   “Sure.”

   Vaulto began to speak again. “You may think me just cook. I do more. I listen. I learn. This servant has heart. Many times Prince ordered breakfast in bed. Dinner in chambers, picnic on lawn, never would she eat. I’ve worn food. Prince worn food.”

   “The floor has worn even more.” Orion interjected.

   “He try young Prince. Please no offence, you mom has tongue like serpent.”

   Sarah had finished making the last burger, handing it to Vaulto.

   “Thank you, too kind.” Vaulto smiled.

   “My pleasure.” Sarah smiled. 

   “What about you?” Paul asked.

   “What about me.” Sarah wanted to avoid a question she knew was coming.

   “What would you like to have?” Orion asked.

   “Like you young one, I can’t have what I want.” 

   Vaulto got up and brought back four drinks. 

   “Thank you.” She smiled, taking a big bite of her burger. She moaned as she chewed, then allowed a long sigh to escape. “Good.”

   Once she took a bite and approved of its beefy goodness everyone else took a bite. Even Orion.