For Cheddar or Worse by Avery Aames

does Lara feel compelled to belittle others?”
    â€œSome people get a tremendous sense of power from that kind of behavior. I think it’s a coping mechanism.”
    â€œWow, Dr. Pace,” I teased. “Have you been boning up on psychology again?”
    â€œMaybe.” Jordan winked. “Hmm, let’s see. Have youheard this one? ‘The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.’”
    â€œWilliam Camden,” I said. “1605.” I wasn’t super smart. I’d been studying up on cheese sayings, thinking I might use a few in my marketing strategy, and Jordan knew it. The Internet is a wonder when it comes to tracking down obscure things. Type in
cheese > quotes
and all sorts of witty sayings come up, like, “Age is something that doesn’t matter, unless you are a cheese.” Luis Buñuel Portolés, a Spanish filmmaker.
    â€œLara, over here,” Erin called from the table by the window. She wasn’t serving lunch. She intended to enjoy the meal with the rest of us.
    Lara joined Erin, and the two immediately launched into a lively conversation about something. Erin laughed; so did Lara.
    Victor entered after us, his cell phone in his left hand, his right hand furiously typing a message. He paused and observed Lara and Erin for a second. A cloud passed over his face. Was he, like Kandice, irked not to be included? Quickly he tagged Shayna and invited her to sit with him at a separate table. How could she refuse? Feeling she might need backup with Victor, I steered Jordan in that direction.
    With deft speed, the twin waitresses delivered a meal that consisted of tasty grilled cheese sandwiches made with thin slices of Granny Smith apples, red onions, mustard, and Prairie Breeze Cheddar from Milton Creamery, an artisan cheese maker in Southeast Iowa. In addition, there was a daring fruit salad laced with wine and nutmeg. The staff offered a selection of white wines, but not everyone imbibed. Shayna didn’t. Neither did I. A glass of wine at lunch could put me right to sleep.
    Surprisingly, conversation during the meal didn’t revolve around the cheese-making process. It gravitated toward regular life.
    Victor speared a piece of mango. “My dear Shayna, have you ever visited France?”
    She hadn’t.
    â€œYou are missing something special. The flowers at this time of year”—Victor inserted the fruit into his mouth and chewed as he spoke—“are definitely the most beautiful in the world.”
    â€œAre there tulips?” Shayna asked. “I love tulips.” She dragged the word out while pursing her lips. I got the feeling she was putting him on, tempting him to make a pass at her.
    â€œTulips? Of course there are tulips. Gorgeous tulips.” Victor pitched toward Shayna, as if ready to steal a kiss. Was he calling her bluff? She recoiled; Victor smirked.
    â€œI don’t know, Victor,” I said, rushing to Shayna’s aid. “The irises and daffodils in
Ohio
”—I stressed the word—“are spectacular in May. And the grass?” Out a nearby window, I spied the beautiful rolling hills, blanketed with long grass speckled with white clover. The view made me whelm up. “How can you top this? Honestly, Ohio has France beat, hands down.”
    â€œYou’re wrong,” Victor said. “America can’t compare. The hillsides of France are greener and more expansive.”
    â€œI disagree.”
    Jordan nudged my foot under the table. He knew I was baiting Victor. “Sure you want to fight this battle?” he whispered.
    I winked. “It’s fun to rile him.”
    â€œYou’re on your own.” Jordan pecked me on the cheek and excused himself to go to the restroom.
    Victor didn’t accept my bait. He swiveled to talk to Shayna exclusively.
Fine
. I tuned him out and bit into my sandwich. The grilled onions paired with apple and cheese was