Elias was clearly in the final stages of salad preparation. Without knowing either of his guests' allergies - if any - he placed only chopped lettuce in small salad bowls. On a larger plate, he'd arranged matchstick carrots, diced tomato, shredded cheddar cheese, miniature croutons, diced cucumbers, black beans, and sunflower seeds -- all in their separate piles, for picking and choosing. He glanced up at Dov to check on him. The kid looked like he was still hurting over the death of his mother. Well, of course he was.
Elias gave a sharp look at Charlie, too. She was trying, and he knew it -- but they both seemed to want to draw heart's blood before they could work out their own natural equilibrium together. He would admit to not liking it at all. But he also knew -- this was one thing he couldn't correct for them.
"Dinner in 15," he said at last to both of them. "Bathroom's down the hall if you want to wash up."