She got the water boiling on the stove, and dropped the noodles in. She got the sauce in a pot and put the shrimp and veggies in a pan with a little oil. In the kitchen was where she belonged. She hummed a bit as she prepared the meal. Periodically she reached for her butterbeer and took a sip.

Every few minutes she looked over her shoulder just to see him, every time smiling and turning back to her work.

“Well that’s nice. I bet your parents like seeing you” She winked at him, who wouldn’t like seeing him? She wondered if his mom insisted he visit more often, it was a very mom thing to request.

Her own mom had requested she stop by more often, and she tried. It was just hard to see her in that state. Attempting to be upbeat, “Yea I went to see mom earlier today. She’s…” She paused looking at him for a moment; she was searching for the right word or phrase. “…adjusting.” She shrugged.

Realizing everything was doing its thing, and all she had to do was wait she turned and leaned against the counter top. “So, what’s it like being an only child?”