#rivervale_lodge

He almost chokes on his muffin, cackling at Vali’s joke. But manfully gulps it down and starts on the other half. Nom nom.

"Stout fellow"

A solemn nod, gulping down the fresh muffin. “It’s almost as good as store bought. Those are better because they have more ingrediments in them. These are too fresh and juicy, I might die.”

"But what a way to go" He points out

“It’s a far better thing I eat, then I have ever eaten before...” licking his fingers. “Goodnight, sweet fingerprints...” lick, lick.

"I need to tell you of the charge of the Donut Brigade sometime"

Kerri returns, pot of raspberry jam in hand, to hear this last exchange. "Oh, you two have gotten started, I see."

He gives Kerri a sad look. “Someone ate my muffin before the jam got here.”

"oops"

“Can I have Vali’s?” Eyeing the tray of remaining muffins.

“He’s big enough now, if he gets taller he won’t fit through the doors.” Helpful.

Vali pats his own mid section "Okay, feeing the urge to do some crunches"

“They’re soft. You need tato chips to do crunches. Oh, or peanut butter biscuits!” He adds, then covers his mouth with a guilty expression. Oops. Those are Oak and Edie’s.

Kerri chuckles and nods. "One more muffin for you, Connor. With jam."

"In fact, I think I'll join you." She helps herself to a muffin and neatly splits it before adding jam and taking a nibble. A nod. "Not bad."

"How's school at the DeBukes, going, Connor?"

He fetches the muffin and stops to think for a bit. “It’s hard to do for so long. You have to sit, and sit, and sit, and listen, and listen, and i told them I was listening through the naps but they didn’t believe me.” His ears droop a bit. “But sometimes it’s fun.”

Kerri listens and frowns a little bit, uncertain how much of that is reversal, and how much is exaggeration. "What is one of the fun parts?" she tries to coax out more information.

A frown "mmm"

“Coloring! Except then they told me that we’re not supposed to illustrate the books ourselves.” Somber. “Oh, and lunch! And, um. Recess. But did you know, my friend came here? She gave me a book once. So I will try harder in reading class and maybe I’ll get another book if I tell her all the reading I’m doing.”

"Which friend?" Curious

“She’s a ghost!” He announces proudly. “I know her from long long ago, and she gave me my wolf book.”

Perplexed. "A...ghost?"

He nods. “Yes.”

She blinks at that. "Okay...not a ghost-ghost, but..." she pauses, then shakes her head. "Nope, I don't get that one. But she's your friend and she makes you happy when she visits?"

“Oh, yes, all the time.” nibbling on his second muffin, a little slower now. “She was nice to me at the other place, too.” Munch munch. “She comes all the time, though. Always and everyday.” Tail droop, but then he perks up again. “But I’ll finish the book soon. It has dogs in in, and snow!”

"Is she a DeBuke?"

A shrug. “Probably? She smells like one sometimes.” Finishing his muffin. “Okay. All done!”

Kerri's still puzzled, but nods. "Please bring your plate to the kitchen and put it carefully in the sink."

He beams at her and licks his plate one more time to get any spare crumbs, then tidies it and wanders off! “Thanks for nothiiiiiing!” He calls back belatedly.

He watches the boy go "I cannot get a read on him some days"

"This is a trickier day, yes. I was hoping you'd have a clue who he was talking about."

"No idea. Siv talked to someone one day, mentioned a guest who knew Connor."

"Hmm. I'll have to ask her about that. I like the idea of Connor having a friend visit, but I'd also like to know who it is." She stands and gathers up their plates, but leaves the platter of muffins and the pot of jam out.

"Let me know if you need any supplies for the journey to the pine barrens, Vali." Her tone has gone serious again.

"I will" He says

"And thanks"

"My pleasure. Happy to talk." She vanishes into the kitchen.

He gathers his things, and prepares for French class that day.