Chapter 364 - 364. Solo

The maze that was the streets seemed to be closing in on them at all times. Due to the closures, the entire family had found that they needed to walk the entire way instead of being able to take a car or a bus. This wasn't a problem because navigation was no issue. The problem lay in the fact that it appeared ready to rain at any moment. 

This led to an amusing show of walking down streets in a hurry only to find another side street to cut through and try to get to the red moon restaurant. "I told you. If we go up smith then done brook street we will be right in front of it!" Asher's father was dead set on the way he had gone before to the area. 

"And I am telling you that brook street is closed and the only way there is the back way where we can cut from fields ave to main street." The small argument was the epitome of directions. If anyone had a penny for every time parents would argue over directions they would be the richest person alive. 

"Or we could just cut through the coffee bar right here and enter. They bought the building in the back of them so they could have two entrances and get double the business. See?" Cara was the only one that appeared to have her eyes open and could see the red door through the coffee bar. 

"That might work." 

"Oh, good eye honey, we will go that way."

Asher and Cara's mother and father were instantly deflated. They followed Cara along through the coffee bar with ease. "Hmm, I think this is the same coffee bar that sends coffee to nearby restaurants. I bet we will try their coffee tonight too." Art was more than happy to explain the wall displayed with different restaurant names and menus. It was a perfect homage to the nearby local businesses that the coffee bar partnered with. Therefore, they were always in business even if they weren't getting any customers at their main location. It was one of those ideal examples of multiple stream income. 

"You never told me the main theme of this place other than farm to table?" There seemed to be too much that Art had been thinking when he half explained the place they were about to enter to eat. 

"Just go with it. You will like it. It's super high class." Art pushed them all in to the front door and was handing over the card before the man at the entrance could even ask them their names. 

"I see, the VIP table will be filled tonight. I will let our chef know." The man left the podium which was also red colored to match the door. The secondary door hid the main restaurant from them so it was still a mystery. 

After just a moment, the man returned and opened the door. Welcome to the red moon. I hope you enjoy your visit." The door open and a waiter in a red and orange colored jacket standing there was their cue to move in. 

The stunning colors of fall overtook the restaurant. The main focus was the massive redish moon that acted as a light in the center of the ceiling. There were pillars that had been disguised as trees with fall colored foliage. The tables all matched and were the picture of a fall creation. 

"The theme is the red and orange moon colorations during the harvest season. There were local artists brought in to create the dining room." Art was fairly amazed even though he had already known what the theme was. Asher and Cara both couldn't help taking out their phones and showing them off to the group. 

The VIP table was dead center of the room under the moon. It offered the ideal light and best view of the entire seating. There were many other guests that all looked at them with envy but continued with their meal. It was a peaceful atmosphere as a small string quartet played in the corner with instruments that matched the theme of the dining room. Menus were already in place and the waiter began to pour them water. 

"They will change to a blue moon for the winter theme later in the season but for now this is ideal. I think the beef option for the course has the most fall vegetables and ends in a pumpkin cheesecake made with natural tree nuts as a crust." The menu that Arty was looking at only went to show off how fancy the place was. 

"I think our luck is way better than we ever imagined." Cara was sure that this was some of the highest quality food she had evener seen. When the starting course was brought out she couldn't believe that the salad made from colorful screens and leaf shaped carrots was real. 

"I need to eat more salad. If it looked like this and tasted like this pumpkin seed vinaigrette, I would eat a salad every single day." Asher was in heaven. 

The meal proceeded with the same amazement with every bite and continued even when they had left and headed home. They had taken more pictures and a few videos than they had in a long time. The entire family didn't even mind the slight drizzle of rain as they walked slowly home. They were full, happy, and ready to pass out in their own beds. 

The morning burst in without warrant. Asher's alarm clock was louder than usual in his ears as he slept comfortably. He was awake with a goal for his day and he knew that he needed to accomplish it for the better future of his best friend. 

"I know that we usually work out together, but I want to stay solo today. I think we should all do it every once in a while so we can look at ourselves from a  different angle." The excuse sounded a little awkward as Asher said it to Cara ad Art at the front door. 

"I understand. After the amazing food last night you need to self reflect. I can let you have your time. Maybe it will inspire you to create a new and unique dish in the future." Art was way off the mark. He was convinced that Asher had realized his cooking failures and now wished to secretly pursue better food and cooking similar as to what they had eaten the night before. 

"Well, regardless. Art and I are going for the run. Don't get lost on your soul searching work out of the day." Cara had a heap of sarcasm in her voice. Asher knew very well what it was for but as he jogged off he heard Art telling her that he had already written the possible recipe for the pumpkin mousse that had come with the salmon course. There was no doubt in Asher's mind that pumpkin mousse would be on the menu for dinner some night soon. 

The hospital that Art's brother was at was a simple place to find. It was the most heavily guarded location in the city other than the prisons and main facilities used for important research. It was also the address that Art had been told to visit if he wanted to see his brother. 

Asher had jogged with his back pack so that he could change in to nicer clothing before entering. He knew that work out gear would look out of place and get him kicked out pretty fast. He was also lucky that Art had the room number for his brother already instead of needing to search for it. The only trick would be to find room seventy three in the labyrinth which everyone called the hospital. 

Walking right through the front doors went without any issue. The guards required Asher to walk through a few detectors and show the contents of his back pack. This was nothing odd since most buildings were like this when safety was a concern. The front desk was the main location for everyone to go when entering. However, Asher ignored this and pretended to already have permission and knowledge of where to go. 

The next obstacle was find the room numbers. The doors were mostly set with plaques that explained who belonged in what office and what the room was for. The numbers were only displayed n patient rooms. This made things harder as Asher found he was walking down a nearly empty hallway after hallway. 

"Excuse me, young man?" The sound of a female voice came from behind Asher. "Are you lost? I know that looks anywhere." The older nurse seemed to have mistaken Asher for a lost family member. "Tell me where you are headed ad I will get you there. I run in to lost people all the time. It took me five years just to know where my station was." The bad joke put Asher at ease as he explained what room he was going to. This was easier than he had expected.. But easy was not what would come of the next moment he would have after opening the door to room seventy three.