Dinner was much louder than breakfast that morning. Food was thrown from spoon to wall, landing on shirts, in hair, and even unsuspecting laughing mouths. Scotlynn wasn't as amused as some of the other girls. 

Jimmie was lost in the crowd, probably shoveling mashed potatoes down her gob, anxious to get the taste of chicken feathers out of her mouth. With the lack of attention Scotlynn had been receiving since the children came back assured her that Jimmie hadn't told anyone about Bon. Her secret friend was safe. 

The man Miss Atkinson had been talking about had frightened Scotlynn, and some of the other girls who whispered about it as they walked to the table. Though Scotlynn had never seen the man in question, even when she was alone outside, she was certain she never wanted to meet anyone that threatened the loss of her only home. Unless, Bon would be there to take her. Maybe he would look after her.

Her food was hardly touched as she thought of all the ways she could see him again. That had to have been him walking with the other man, and she was so close to getting his attention. If only she hadn't been caught, by the caretaker of all people. Maybe she could sneak out at night...but surely Bon would be home by then and she had no idea where to go. Maybe she could ask someone to find him...but Miss Atkinson would never allow him near them, not with a strange and potentially dangerous man on the loose.If Scotlynn had caught a glimpse of Bon's companion, she could watch out for him too, and get him to bring Bon back. 

To bring her friend back. 

A bread roll hit Scotlynn on the back of her head, the image of Bon turning to one of a little girl, glaring at her. Scotlynn recognized the orange hair, and under the narrowed eyes was a small nose wrapped in white bandages. A bread roll was already on her plate, having been served to her mere minutes ago, the one hitting her a complete fluke. Scotlynn turned her head away and took extra small bites, her appetite also lacking in size. 

Friday was the most hectic day of the week, and only the second day of the school year. Kids were fighting about where to sit on the bus and Miss Atkinson stood there behind the gate, eyes wide with fear, darting back and forth and the whistle between her lips, small sounds emitting when she gasped in her nervous state. Scotlynn stood next to her, trying to pull her hand away from the pudgy woman's iron grip. 

As soon as the last bus drove away a loud sigh came out from the whistle, scaring the poor woman. Scotlynn pretended not to hear and continued to struggle. "Alright, come on, dear. Off to bed with you."

"I'm not tired," Scotlynn lied again, knowing good and well she needed more sleep. Miss Atkinson didn't buy it.

"That's what you said yesterday and you got in a pinch of trouble, didn't you?" Scotlynn didn't answer, and didn't bother picking up her feet as she was led through the doors and down the hallway to the stairs. "I'm not going to carry you, Scotlynn, so you might as well pick up your feet."

"I'm hungry," Scotlynn said suddenly. 

"I'll have a hot breakfast waiting for you when you wake up."

"No, I'm hungry now." Miss Atkinson looked behind her to see Scotlynn stopped in her place, standing at a dangerous angle to the woman in front of her. If her hand should slip she would hit the ground, giving the girl an even worse attitude than she had this minute. If her way wasn't met, and food wasn't given, Scotlynn would surely pull her hand as hard as she could from the woman's grip. 

"Well then you'll have to wait a few minutes as the cooks have already started cleaning the other dishes," Miss Atkinson said changing her direction with a slight tug on the girl. Scotlynn followed, picking her feet up this time. 

Old Shana nearly hit the two on her way out the door of the mess hall, carrying a box of garbage. "Morning, Mabel. Just takin' the trash out." Miss Atkinson smiled back, always happy to chat with the staff. "Have the girls all left?"

"Just a few minutes ago, I'm taking this one in to get some breakfast, and then it's off to bed." Scotlynn didn't like the look Miss A. gave her as she said these words. Old Shana gave the little girl a toothy smile.

"Bring her in, we can make a little something before heading off. Come this way, Roxanne."

Scotlynn didn't bother to correct her this time, nor had she the time as her presence was suddenly in a different room. 

"Sit down then, we'll have some pancakes out for you soon."

"I want French toast." Miss Atkinson held Scotlynn's arms to her sides as she kicked her feet over the edge of the chair.

"Now now," she reprimanded. "That's not good manners."

"Mabel's right, dear." Old Shana set the box down on the table with a heavy grunt. "It's not every day we take a little one aside for some special treatment. Say thank you."

Old Shana didn't hear Scotlynn's mumble of a thank you as she picked the box up again with a sharp inhale, and leave the mess hall. Miss Atkinson took a chair next to Scotlynn, much to the little girl's dismay. She could never sneak off under such watchful eyes. Her large backside didn't seem to fit in the chair very well, and she shifted around every few minutes attempting to attain some level of comfort. The door to the kitchen swung open, catching their attention. The same woman who gave out the meal yesterday morning delivered the meal of this one, and with a great hurry too. 

"It's freezing in there," she said setting the plate of pancakes down. "Fall has scarcely begun and the snow is already falling into the food."

"The earliest snowfall we've had in years," Miss Atkinson agreed, taking a napkin and tucking it into Scotlynn's pajama collar. Butter had already dribbled down her chin. "I'm sure the girls would love to play in it but with school and...well, I won't waste your time describing the incident." She eyed the little girl sitting next to her and twiddled her thumbs, her backside getting sore. "I'm sure you know all about it, I'll bore you with details."

"Details enliven a story," the young woman replied, leaning on the table with her hands folded. "Of course, with present company..." She too had noticed the youngest member and thought best not to divulge anything. 

"What incident?" Scotlynn asked with her mouth perfectly full.

"I shouldn't have brought it up," Miss Atkinson said. "But...Scotlynn, do you know why Mrs. Vitello brought you inside yesterday?" Scotlynn didn't answer. "There's been some activity-"

"Suspicious activity," the young cook stepped in. Miss Atkinson nodded.

"Yes, suspicious activity around the orphanage. We just want you girls to be safe, and that means no going outside without an adult. Understand?"

Scotlynn nodded and dropped a piece of pancake on the floor. No one noticed. 

"Alright, Mabel, you can take your post again, I'll look after little Roxanne for now," Old Shana said returning to the kitchen. Her hair was covered in fresh snowflakes. With a bit of a struggle, Miss Atkinson stood from the chair, nearly knocking it over before hobbling out of the mess hall to her desk. Scotlynn laughed but held her tongue when her hair was tussled in parting. The room was quiet save for the echoing of Miss Atkinson' heels hitting the floor. Scotlynn swung her feet back and forth, taking her time finishing her food. The young woman had returned to the kitchen and Old Shana stood there, looking lost in thought. Her grimace turned to a smile as she caught Scotlynn staring at her. "Good to see you again, Roxanne, I almost thought you weren't coming today."

"It's Scotlynn," Scotlynn said. 

"Tell me, Roxanne, do you get along with the other girls?" 

She shrugged.

"I know you had a slight brawl with a little blonde girl. Or, was she a brunette?" Scotlynn didn't correct her. Shaking her head, Old Shana continued. "Well aside from that fight, have you any friends here?"

Scotlynn wanted to say Bon, without any hesitation. But she wondered if he considered her a friend. If he didn't, then her words were foolish. If he did, then she couldn't understand what was taking him so long to visit her again. The name alone might arouse some questions from the all female staff as well, and Scotlynn didn't answer at all. 

"I know none of them are your age, is that right? Oh of course, that's why they're all in school or still in nappies. You know, my niece was in nappies until she was six, and boy, that's some change to go through especially with a girl just starting school. Or...was she five?"

Scotlynn sighed. If breakfast would be this boring and uneventful every day she wouldn't mind skipping it and immediately looking for her acquaintance. The presence of so many grown ups was far too hindering. 

"Let me take that for you, Roxanne," Old Shana said grabbing the crumb laden plate. 

"It's Scotlynn!"

"What was that dear?" The old woman turned around and leaned closer to the little girl, holding a hand to her ear. Scotlynn, sick of repeating her correct name, almost didn't answer. But then...if she wanted she could...maybe...this was her chance...

"Eloise."

"What's that?"

"My name..." Scotlynn sighed, hoping this idea of hers wouldn't land her into trouble. "is Eloise."

"Eloise...Eloise, oh, Eloise!" The old woman put a smile on her face and a hand to her cheek. "My gracious, have I been calling you by the wrong name this entire time? Oh I'm so sorry, Why didn't you say anything?" Scotlynn opened her mouth to answer. "My goodness, I do apologize. Eloise, I'll have to remember that name. Eloise...Eloise..." 

Old Shana left the table and walked into the kitchen, taking the plate with her. 

And leaving Scotlynn behind.