Second Chance

Chapter 4

The lounge was only a little ways away from the training area. I guess they thought that we would want to eat right after training or something. I go to the lounge and see the food service ladies already set up. Coffee is brewing, and you can smell it right at the front door. You can also smell the breakfast they are making. These ladies sure do know how to cook. I can smell the bacon, the eggs, the sausage, and my stomach decides it needs all of it. I walk up to the counter and start to think of all of the food my stomach may be able to hold, and realize I forgot I need to take a plate to Loki. Ugh.

"Well hello there my Secret child!" Mrs. Rita smiles.

"Hi Mrs. Rita! All of this looks absolutely amazing. I'm gonna grab a to go plate for someone, but I'll be right back to get my own."

"You better come back. I'll be waiting sweetie." She laughs. She is a very sweet lady. She's African American, most likely in her 50's, heart of gold, and she has a huge crush on Bruce. It's so adorable. They literally flirt every morning. She always tells me that she tries to make the food smell like being home on a Sunday morning. Her glossy southern twang just warms everyone's heart. Even if my home never smelled this good, or even the fact that I never really had that much of a home doesn't matter. I know she is only trying to find a way to make us feel more comfortable. I head into my room, shutting the door behind me.

"Hey, devil wears Prada? Wake up, I brought breakfast." I say as I kick the wall a couple of times. He doesn't move. I open the slot, levitate the plate through the slot and onto his night stand. I also program the coffee pot by the TV so a cup brews in a couple of minutes. "Coffee is by the TV. Breakfast is on your nightstand. If you need anything else holler."

"Why would I ever need you?" He asks from under his covers.

"Well maybe that was a poor choice of words then. Considering you don't need anyone right?"

"Well child, you might have finally spoken something truthful."

"Whatever jolly green giant. Coffee creamer is in the fridge, sugar is by the coffee machine, you have extra clothes in the closet if your highness ever decides to take off that ridiculous outfit, and the bathroom should have shampoo and what not. If you can't find something, let me know." I turn to leave, but he stops me.

"Wait, your midgardian devices are useless where I am from. Could you explain what a TV is?"

"Ha-ha, its that black box on the table. The thing to its right is the coffee machine. And before you ask, the " fridge " is the white box with door handles on it that sits under the table. It keeps food cold."

"But what does a TV do?"

"Oh dear. Well, how about we stick to the basics for today? I'll show you how to work it later today or tomorrow." and with that I leave him. Surely he will do just fine without a TV. Considering he doesn't have them where he is from, he isn't missing out too badly.

"Ready for that coffee?" Steve says from behind me.

"Sure am." I smile.

"So how was it, sleeping with the enemy?"

"Ha-ha, nothing like the movie."

"There's a movie with that title?"

"Oh my, you just might be as bad as Thor and Loki."
"Hey, it is not my fault I took an extra long ice bath." And that sends us both in a laughing frenzy. We grab our food, a cup of coffee, and we sit down.

"So, what's really going on with you Steve?"

"I told you, I'm just-"

"Yes, I heard what you said, but I also know that's just not all of it."

He looks down at his plate and sighs. We finish our food is mostly silence. I stand up and grab our plates. I take them to the kitchen and begin rinsing them off.
"Oh honey, you know I can do that for you right?" Rita states.
"Yes, but I like making your job easier."
"Thank you love. You also make it that much sweeter." She smiles and goes back to cooking. I head back over to Steve.
"Let's take a trip."
"Uh, to where?"
"A place to clear your head." I smile. I grab his hand and drag him down the hallway. "Alright, take a deep breath in." He looks at me funny. "Just do it." He takes a deep breath in, and I teleport us to a place I hope will put him at ease.