Oliver at the very least could remember how to sit down. He took his seat, feeling very odd indeed. Armando lowered himself slowly into the seat opposite. Oliver noticed the misty quality in his eyes and the patches of discolored skin on his face. All the telltale marks of old age. When Armando laid his hands on the tabletop, all his finger joints looked red and swollen from arthritis.

Olivers stomach growled as steam from the soup wafted into his face. Even though he was so shocked and befuddled by everything, his hunger drive took over, and before hed even had time to think, hed grabbed his spoon and taken a huge mouthful of hot, flavorful soup. It was very tasty and nourishing. Far better than anything his parents ever cooked. He took another spoonful, not even caring that the soup was burning the roof of his mouth.

Nice? Armando asked encouragingly, eating his own soup at a much slower pace.

Oliver managed to employ a modicum of restraint and paused between mouthfuls to nod.

Hopefully youll warm up soon, Armando added, kindly.

Oliver couldnt be sure if he meant warm up from the chilly rain or warm up socially. He hadnt really said much since hed gotten here, but he was so muddled from the storm, then so surprised to see Armando in the flesh, that his faculty for speech had completely failed him!

He tried now, to speak, to ask one of his burning questions. But when he opened his mouth, instead of words, the only thing that came out was a yawn.

Youre tired, Armando said. Of course. Theres a spare room you can nap in, and Ill get some extra blankets since the weather is quite cold at the moment.

Oliver blinked then. A nap?

Armando nodded, then qualified his offer. Youre not planning on going back out into the storm, are you? Last message from the mayor said we should expect to stay inside for hours.

For the first time, Olivers thoughts turned to his parents. If theyd heeded the mayors instruction to return home, what would have happened when they discovered only one of their sons had made it back from school? He had no idea for how long hed been knocked out in the trash can, nor how many hours had passed while he was being batted around inside it. Would they be worried about him?

Then Oliver shook his worry away. His parents probably hadnt even noticed. Why should he give up the opportunity to rest in an actual bed, especially when the only thing waiting for him at home was a dingy alcove?

He looked up at Armando.

That sounds really nice, he said, finally managing a full sentence. Thank you. He paused then, deliberating over his words. I have so many questions to ask you.

Ill still be here when you wake, the old inventor said, smiling kindly. Once youre warm, fed, and rested, then we can talk about everything.