Chapter 7
A Day in His Life
Lottie had never beenhere before, and Darren said he hadn't been either.They pulled down a long drive into the parking lot.They took the girl’s hands and walked into the building.There was an air of excitement as people came and went.Those leaving still looked excited.This wasn’t paintball; it was laser tag to minimize the mess.Once inside, everyone would be on their own, and he worried about the girls, but thought that with all of them there, they could keep an eye on them.
Ellis adjusted her gear, nervously eyeing the maze as they stepped inside.He stayed close to her, while Lottie hovered protectively near Adele.The girls wanted to play for a while, so every move mattered.She glanced at the experienced players and doubted they’d last long, but she was determined to try, even if the odds weren’t fair.
Lottie and Adele ducked behind a wooden fence, peering through the peepholes to spot anyone nearby.They scanned for possible hiding spots.Some were occupied; going into one meant they might get shot.They couldn't just wait behind the fence, though, since sitting there was dull and wouldn't help them win the game.
“Let’s go.”Adele declared as she pulled Lottie out from behind the fence.
Everyone turned to look at them, so she moved Adele along as they outran those shooting at them.They ducked behind what looked like a car, but it was only a cutout of a car.Thankfully, nobody was behind it.Adele leaned over the side and shot someone.
“Did you see that?I got somebody.”
“I saw that, Adele.”
“Are they out now?”
“No, they have health points, and they’ll only be out if their points are low enough.It may take another hit to get them out.If they go to their team club, they can recharge.Otherwise, the game won't be long enough for someone who's new and hasn't learned all the rules yet.That will work for you too because if you are hit, you won't be out immediately.”Lottie explained.
“You don't know much about this either, do you?”
“Sorry, it's my first time too.”
“We'll learn together,” Adele observed.
They did as they went from cover to cover, shooting when they could and ducking when they couldn't.She tried to protect Adele, and she got hit more often, but they were able to recharge more than once.That made the game last longer, but eventually Darren found them, and she knew the game was over.
“It'll be a late lunch.The others are waiting at the exit.”Darren explained.
They headed there and left together, dropping off the gear at the designated spot.When they left, they were right next to the entrance they had come in.She had to admit that they'd had a lot of fun, and it was something she would probably want to do again.If anything, Adele had enjoyed it even more than she had.
“Any suggestions for lunch?”Carlos asked.
“I have some,” Flo replied.“There’s a pizza buffet that has games that the girls might like.I also like to go to a steak place up on the main drag.There's also that Italian place and a seafood place that I enjoy.Does anyone have a preference, cause I'm fine with any of those?”
“Girls, what do you want?”
“I like steak,” Adele said.
“Me too.”Ellis agreed, which was no surprise because she usually agreed with her big sister.
That was surprising because Lottie had never heard either girl say anything about steak before.They had mentioned they loved pizza, and spaghetti with meatballs had come up as well.They’d had shrimp for the first time two weeks ago and enjoyed that too.
“Are you sure?”Darren asked, apparently surprised by their choice.
They both answered with a resounding yes.
“Steak it is,” Carlos said.
No one would be surprised by a wolf agreeing to steak.It wasn’t far and was easy to find.Lottie said she was happy that it was off-peak between lunch and supper, with no lines and plenty of seating.There was no surprise when the girls didn't know what to order, so she suggested chopped sirloin, which would be easier to eat.They ordered some appetizers and drinks.The waitress hurried away, but she quickly came back with the drinks.
It was interesting when the appetizers came that the girls stared at them.They've never had stuffed mushrooms before, and Darren cut them so they could eat them more easily.The girls decided that they liked them.The grilled asparagus also passed once they finally took a taste.This was good to expose them to new foods and a different kind of place to eat.
