117 Lunch 2 (1/2)

Apparently Outback Steakhouse was a popular, Australian-themed restaurant that served different kinds of steak. The twins and the adults were able to order their favorite steaks. Zeke picked a chopped salad with grilled chicken.

Noah was still deciding as the waiter stood by our table. ”But I really want a steak too.”

”That'll sit in your stomach too long. It could affect your game performance in a couple of hours.” Zeke educated. ”Have a salad. It'll fill you up and give you fuel.”

Noah scrunched up his face at the though. He turned to me. ”What are you getting since we aren't allowed a heavy meal?”

I pointed at a specific item in the menu. The waiter peered over my shoulder and nodded. ”Good choice. Our baked potato soup is a favorite.”

”Soup?! You're getting soup? That's not even a meal. That's an appetizer.” Noah squinted at me. ”Are you secretly an old man?”

”I like soup.” I stated as I kept my eyes on the table.

”All kinds?” Noah asked.

I shrugged.

”Come on. Give me a list.”

”How about you order first so we can get our food?” Mr. Atkins reminded him.

”Just give me the soup too then!” Noah told the waiter. ”But make sure you bring out extra bread. Like lots of bread. As soon as they come out of the oven, bring them straight to our table.”

The waiter wrote down the order on his notepad and went to the back to prepare our food.

Noah turned back to me. ”So? You gonna tell us?”

I looked around and they were all staring at me, waiting for something. ”I like all kinds of soup.”

”Why?” Dave made a face of disgust.

”It never goes bad and it's easy to warm it up in the microwave.” I replied honestly. ”People-at my old school-knew I wasn't well off. The food pantry gives soup cans.”

The silence at the table was thick.

After a moment, Noah patted my shoulder. ”Thanks for sharing Jake. But ya know, you don't have to force yourself to like it now. Mom and Dad can afford real food.”

I tilted my head. ”Soup is real food.”

Mr. Atkins coughed to grab our attention. ”I personally like tomato soup with grilled cheese.”