Lucius lounged on a yellow picnic blanket embroidered with white feathers. A crystal clear lake shined a few yards away. On his side, one knee akimbo, he leaned on his elbow, popping a seedless grape into his mouth. He bit down and savored the burst of sweetness on his tongue. Once he swallowed, he picked up a cube of cheese by its toothpick skewer from the silver platter where an assortment of fruits and cold cuts were arranged in neat groups. He took the cheese between his teeth and pulled it free from the toothpick. The saltiness from the cubed morsel mingled with the lingering sweetness of the grape to create heaven in his mouth.
A lilting laugh—like harp song—had Lucius' hand pausing above the platter. He looked around for its source. His gaze traveled to the center of the lake where
