"This is beautiful and delicious," Susan said, her face turning red as she reached for her wine glass. "And it is a bit spicy," she said, gulping the wine down.

"Maybe you'd better leave the chilis out from now on," Zach said, seeing the sweat beading Susan's head, "or serve them on the side. I like spicy food."

"So do I," Krista said.

"I think that I'll just make do with the fruit salad," Susan said, smiling as Mariatu refilled her wine glass. "It is very delicious, though, until my taste buds melted."

For the first time since Chet had been unrolled from the carpet, they ate a meal and...