Bab 199: 199. Other Annoyances

Charlos had a tuna sandwich and a vegetable salad topped with chutney that morning. His mother had just come out of the room with his stepfather. They sat across from Charlos's left.

"Good morning, Charlos," said his stepfather.

The man's name was Trevor O'Connor. He was as tall as Charlos with light corn-colored hair and was already a little thin, almost bald. His nose was too high, and his eyes were clear blue.

"Good morning," Charlos replied evenly without looking at him.

His mother touched his shoulder. "Are you all right, honey? Why do you look so gloomy?"

"It's all right, Mom."

"Charlos, Rendra said you were on vacation in the Maldives for a week. But why are you here this morning? You left suddenly and came back suddenly. What's the matter with you?"

Charlos put his sandwich on a plate and took a sip of orange juice. "What? Don't you want to see me here?"