The dining room was filled with the sounds of flatware against China and the chatter of children when Nat drifted in looking for breakfast.  For ‘departure day’ Marie had announced breakfast would be served in the Manor rather than at the school so as soon as he smelled the first hint of bacon, Nat headed across the thick lawn.  As he came through the door, Luthien was waiting.

               “What's up, Luthien?” Nat said, squatting before the little girl.

               Zach grinned at Nat and gave him an ‘okay’ sign as he bit into a sausage wrapped in a pancake.  Nat scooped up the tiny child and sat her on the counter as Jessy hurried by once more fascinated with her feet.

               “Hey, Nat,” Zach saluted him the wrapped link.

               “S’up?” Nat returned.

               “Nuffin’ much,” he replied.  “Just hangin’ out with Jessy.

               From outside Jessy called back  “See you at the field trip, Zach.”

               Nat took out a carton of orange juice and poured a tall titanium glass full.

               “Better go pack!” Zach ran out after Jessy.

               Luthien tugged on the front of Nat’s Hawaiian shirt.  He turned his attention back to her and smiled. 

               Luthien sighed and said  "You gotta be extra careful, Nat, on this trip."

               “What do you mean?”

               The child took the glass from him and sipped.

               “Okay,” Nat agreed.

               “Don’t take your board,” she warned, giving him the glass back.

               “Okay, I guess,” he said puzzled.

               The child slipped off the counter.

               “Stay away from the cliffs over the ocean too,” she warned.  With that, she turned and ran out of the room, long black hair trailing behind her like a comet’s tail.

               “See you later, Luthien,” he called after her.

               Following Zach’s example, Nat wrapped half dozen sausages in pancakes and finished off his juice.  As he walked back to the school, he munched breakfast.