The cafeteria clerk put a little paper napkin down in front of him holding two slices of plain white bread with one cold slice of yellow American cheese between them.

Arthur didn’t touch the bread.

He propped his chin on his fist and stared down at his knees.

Noah was sitting three seats down the bench.

He tugged at his blue socks, then unzipped his red canvas lunchbox.

He took out his green plastic thermos, unscrewed the cup lid, and carefully poured half of his warm tomato soup into the red plastic cap.

Noah slid down the wooden bench and set the red cup right beside Arthur’s paper napkin.