People were milling around, not going specific doors, much more like discussing and forgetting to move. I walk down the halls and through the sunlight on the floors . I wanted something to drink and maybe one of those bowls of noodles and candy? Everyone was tied up with projects and papers etc.
There was nobody around in the garden wing, so I decided to take off walking. The pathways were bordered and trimmed to nubs. I didn’t know where I was or where the paths went, but I figured I wouldn’t learn if I didn’t try. Grey and red stone buildings rose in a rectangle around some English gardens, pristine in their cultured correctiveness. Walking around made me feel more like my adult self, I had been several places but always with the kids in the research center. Now, I was on my own. I saw a small shed with a wrinkled top, inside was a guy . It looked like he was running a food truck so I trucked over there, hungrier with each step.

There were baskets with green pricky balls and oranges , along with paper sacks , sandwiches I guessed. I didn’t see any menu or food descriptions.
Peering up over the counter, ” What kind of sandwiches do you have? ” The guy turned around and frowned, staring, he chewed something.
“Shalamie, hampton, chester, mumble,mumble” he intoned. Frowning,
“What in the world are in those?” I asked when he didn’t identify any of the bags. The guy rolled his eyes and looked around me. I shrugged and pointed at a nearby sack. I couldn’t figure out the drink list. ” what kind of drinks?” He squinted at me and pointed behind him on the shelf. I spied a label and hoping that I was guessing right, I pointed at a bottle .
The pouch,Marie had given me, was around my neck. I pulled it off and handed the guy(short, skinny, with a penciled in mustache, a baggy suit, and hair curled back) some coins. I picked up my sack, drink and some chips and turned .
The guy lurched over the counter and caught my sleeve. Shaking his ponytail, he pointed at the coins, flashing 5 fingers . I pulled out more money and dropped it. He growled and tightened his hold. We were having a power contest. All I had wanted was lunch and he was selling it. what was his problem! I thought. He shook me and cursed me. I was growling back .

” Peters! Dowch much?” Marie dug out four heavy coins. As the clanking echoed, she saw what was on the ledge. Pursing her lips she handed him 2 coins. The guy shrugged and turned back to the inside of the shed, still talking to himself.
I felt like crying, so much for my adult life management. ” I was just hungry and everyone else was busy. What was that all about? He could have just asked me. I wasn’t being difficult and yet he was”- I puzzled and sat down. “hostile. “
Marie drew in a sigh. ” He didn’t understand you and no, you weren’t asking anything others hadn’t asked.” She smiled and swung her own ponytail. ” don’t worry about it. it’s all solved.” I picked up my drink, my sandwich and my chips. I drooped hunkering down in the chair. ” I’m sorry. You’re always having to bail me out. ” I sipped my drink , it wasn’t sweet and cool but sharp and fizzy. Damn. Why can’t I find —?