Dark Shadows - A New Beginning

Chapter Four

Dinner turned out to be nothing very special, just as David had said. Junior had thrown together some beef hot dogs and boxed mac and cheese. 

"Can you see now why we need your services Stanley?" David asked in a light joking way. "If I hadn't hired you, I fear we'd be living on hot dogs and TV dinners for the rest of our lives."

Stanley noticed that Junior didn't look especially happy about David downtalking his dinner effort, so he decided to say something nice.

"Well, I happen to think that hot dogs are just what the doctor ordered after the kind of the day we've had - and mac and cheese always hits the spot."

"I'll say," Junior chimed in, sounding a little more agreeable than he had thus far. "I could eat mac and cheese every day."

"That's because you're a teenager," David pointed out with a snort of amusement. "We adults need more substantial food."

"Don't count me in the adult category too much," Stanley said. "I'm probably only a year or two older than Junior is."

"I give up," David laughed. "Just promise me we won't be having hot dogs every other night. I've had enough of them."

"Of course not," Stanley assured him with a smile. "You'll find that I do know my way around a kitchen. Who do you think cooked all the holiday meals in the orphanage? We older ones assisted in most of the work, in exchange for a few extra privileges."

David looked thoughtful.

"That reminds me," he said. "I made the mealtimes schedule."

He passed Stanley a small, folded sheet of paper. Stanley had a quick glance at it and resigned himself to fairly early rising times at Collinwood.

"Not too early, is it?" David asked with concerned consideration.

"Oh no," Stanley assured him. "Coffee ready at 7, and breakfast at 7:15 will be fine."

"You'll get used to it," Junior said with a grin. "You'd be surprised how the days and the nights seem to flow into each other in this house. Some days, you'll find yourself wondering that you could be awake at all for lack of sleep the night before."

"We don't want to go into that subject," David warned.

Junior rolled his eyes, but he didn't pursue it. It was then that Stanley remembered David mentioning another houseguest. 

"Where's your dad at, David? I remember you told me that he lives here."

"Poor old father," David sighed. "You see, he doesn't feel well a lot of the time. He's getting up in age now. You probably won't see much of him, I'm sorry to say. Though I'm sure that some day when he feels well enough, he'll come down from his bedroom just to meet you."

"Will you want me to carry a tray for him?" Stanley offered.

"I appreciate your offer," David said. "...but I prefer to do that myself. It gives us a chance to talk during the day. I have to hear some of his decisions about things. You see, I may manage this estate, but it really belongs to my cousin Carolyn. She's not well. My father is her legal guardian, so technically he should be managing the estate, and I answer to him. He isn't given to ordering me terribly, but I try to do things when he asks me."

"I'll look forward to meeting him. Were you still going to take me to meet your cousin Adam after dinner?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Stanley. I'm afraid not. That business with the sheriff has given me something to look into. I'm sure you understand."

"I do," Stanley agreed. "I'm sure I can meet Adam some other time."

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Later...