Because the Night

duty calls

Diego knew where he was going next. Down the long, creaky hallway to the dining hall, with its high ceilings and its break taking view of the forest and grounds. His prison, Diego thought, as he usually did after talking to his father.

He would go where Lily was sitting with her mother. And then —

Then? Actually, maybe Lily's mom wouldn't want to see the guy who absconded with her daughter in the woods. The thought occurred to him that maybe — and how weird! — he was completely unwelcome.

Getting Lily and Annabelle's satisfaction as returning customers would take some creativity.

Diego called the reservations desk at the dining hall and put on his best, "I'm a Moody, listen to me," voice. The woman on the other line — Ash — asked if he was serious about the class. He was totally serious.

At the end of their lunch, a waiter left the kitchen holding a massive mound of ice cream that was on fire. The burning orb of sugar and deliciousness came closer to Annabelle and Lily, who  had just had a Big Talk about their attention and were looking forward to their afternoons spent alone, if they had to admit it.

"Compliments of the chef," the waiter said, putting the dessert down with a thud. It wobbled. Annabelle immediately kept into action and blew all over the dessert to get rid of the fire

Annabelle smiled politely and then asked, "What is this?"

The man, slender and dark skinned, looked at her with some surprise. "It's a baked Alaska."

"No, I know that. But why is it here?"

"Ah," he said, smiling — happy to see she had some culinary expertise. He was tired of explaining the most basic things to guests. "I see you're a fellow dessert aficionado. The baked Alaska is given on behalf of Highland Mountain House."

"But why?"

Diego gave bold printed instructions not to reveal his identity. The waiter didn't even know the reasoning. So it wasn't a lie when he said, "To enjoy your stay."

If Diego thought this would fix everything, he was gravely mistaken. Annabelle has a lactose intolerance. Lily took a bite and felt sick to her stomach from the whole day. She had tasted sweetness then got pelted in the face with sour. Not even ice cream could fix that.

When they left, Annabelle told the family of six at the next rave to finish the dessert. They pounced on the dessert like sugar carnivores.

Diego begged the kitchen not to tell his dad. His next move would be better. He already knew what it was.