Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 537

She picked up a slice of dark bread and dipped it into the stew’s rich broth before taking a bite. It was still dense and chewy, and the parts not softened by the gravy were so coarse they almost scraped the roof of her mouth.

She pictured Bart eating the same bread. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but as her head swam, his image grew sharper in her mind. She started to remember him, how he seemed to enjoy everything he ate, no matter what it was.

There was that one time…

She had been practicing late, and by the time she got to the dining hall, the serving trays were nearly empty. He was the only one left at the counter, getting his food. She’d never paid much attention to him before, but she was struck by how much he ate. His tray was twice the size of hers, piled high with rice. Only two dishes had any leftovers: a spoonful of cabbage and a single serving of stir-fried pork, both of which he was about to take.

When he saw her arrive, he took only half the cabbage and turned to leave, clearly leaving the pork and remaining vegetables for her.

“Hey,” she had called out. “That pork… why don’t we split it?” She felt bad. How was he supposed to eat that mountain of rice with just a little bit of cabbage?

He turned back, a mischievous glint in his eye. “I know where to find a real delicacy. Are you brave enough to try it with me?”

“Huh?” Emma had been completely confused by his expression. A delicacy? And he wanted her to come with him?

She ended up going, mostly out of guilt. If he was just tricking her, she figured she could give him her half of the pork anyway. But he led her into the woods behind the school, where they spent a good while hunting for insects.

When he presented her with a small pile of them, her stomach turned. “Why don’t you… just eat the meat?” she stammered, her face pale as she offered him her bowl.

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