Era lunged forward, laughing so hard her mother slapped her back to make her stop but it just made her laugh harder.
Jake shook his head and sat next to her.
"Have you lost it? I can't blame you. Where in the hand of God are we going to look for the amount of cash they are asking?"
Era stared at Jake, grinning.
"Baby Shark? Seriously?"
Jake stared back at her and after a few beats of blank staring, laughed like crazy.
"Well, if you think about it, it does fit but if you know his looks—-"
Jake snorted and couldn't finish.
"It's too funny!" She finished it for him, giggling.
"Two crazies."
"Ma, it's because—"
"No explain. I don't understand. Just eat. I'm hungry. Shark eats many!"
Jake roared in laughter and she stared at him, confused with what their mother said who went to the kitchen to cook.
"They were here for a while. It seems that Baby Shark is a major cheapskate. He was hungry but didn't want to spend money to buy something to eat. He went to our kitchen to find something to eat. Ma happened to cook her pork chops with apple sauce and the hungry Baby Sharks ate a lot!"
"The nerve! Did he eat it all? Not leaving for us to eat?" She shot up from the sofa to follow their mother to the kitchen, thinking of food, her stomach grumbled.
She hasn't eaten anything. From car racing, to major makeover, to dating a hot millionaire, or was he a billionaire—she had no idea, to meeting a handsome baby shark, food wasn't something that came to her mind until now.
"I'm so hungry! Let's eat something." She said, took off her jacket and threw it on the sofa, grabbing Jake's arm.
"Sis, do you have some money left for us?" He asked in a quiet voice.
Era's steps faltered and the hunger was once again forgotten.
She exhaled a deep breath for the air seemed to thicken with the seriousness of Jake's small voice.
"It's just that they also took Ma's salary. I think we no longer have money for Pa's hospital bills for this week and food, and the expenses—"
Era's smile disappeared and a grim expression fell on her. Their family problem was forgotten for a few minutes because of some silliness but the truth of their situation remained. It's like a dark shadow that loomed all over them, reminding them in their every breath.
"Don't worry. I have taken a job that will cover some of it. I'll go visit the hospital tomorrow. You make sure to study well," she said, smiling.
She reached out to caress the back of Jake's head.
"Take care of the house and Ma while I'm busy."
"Tsk, as if there is something in this house worth stealing."
"Don't be a smart ass. You have your computer."
"Regarding that…"
Era recognized the careful tone. He's going to say something that he knew she wouldn't like.
"I know that you don't want me to focus on my study but—"
"Where do you want to work?"
Jake spun his head too fast and she almost laughed. But she kept her expression blank. He had been begging her to let him get a part time job but she worries about him and his studies.
"Are you serious?" He asked, beaming like a child promised to be taken to Disneyland.
"I don't want you to stay home alone. Especially at night. After what happened, I'll be more comfortable if you're outside with a lot of people around you."
"Then you don't have to worry. I'll be working in a coffee shop near my school. The schedule is flexible and I can stay there doing some computer work…"
"Your computer is a desktop one. You can't take it to a coffee shop."
"I'll sell it and…don't you trust me?"
Era looked up and stared at Jake's face. He's eight years younger than her but he's a foot taller than her and still growing.
He'll be towering her in no time. But she can't see him as a young adult that can do and make choices of his own. In her mind, he's still that young boy that won't stop following her around like a puppy.
"You won't get much from selling that computer. I know that even though I don't know that much about computers."
"I did some work online and I get paid. I had some the money and—"
"It's not something illegal?"
"Of course not!"
Era laughed a little. "I trust you. As long as it is something that won't land you in jail or hurt anyone, you don't have to tell me," she said, assuringly.
She could sense the hesitation in Jake's voice. She could sense that he had some secrets that he wasn't ready to tell her.
"Just be careful. I don't want what happened tonight to happen again. Let's talk to Ma and coordinate our schedule. But you know that mine is a bit," she looked at him for understanding, leaning her head to the side, reminding her of her secret that she was hiding to their parents.
Jake nodded and started walking to the kitchen.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of Ma. Just do what you have to do."
Era stared at Jake's back and she had the overwhelming feeling to hug him and he did.
"What the heck! Hey, let go of me!"
Instead of listening, she hugged him tighter and apologized to him in her head because she could never tell him her new secret.
"Come here and eat!"
Era laughed and pushed Jake's back to walk to the kitchen with her hugging him as tight as she could.
Jake continued to struggle and only stopped when their mother hit him with a spoon on his shoulder.
"Stop acting like a child."
"She's the one acting like a child!" He whined, pointing at her.
Era laughed and finally let him go, pulling a chair noisily.
"Let's eat!"
She just grabbed the serving spoon to the steaming fried rice when she felt a wooden spoon hit the back of her head.
"Where's your manners?"
She heard Jake laugh behind her and she felt like bursting into tears. The moment felt so natural. So carefree that if she shut a part of her brain, she could pretend that they were back in time when things were uncomplicated.
They are poor and struggling with everyday life but they are all together, healthy and there are no loan sharks waiting for them in the shadows, waiting for them, threatening them to pay back their loans.
"The Baby Shark took it!" She said, laughing. She had decided that even for just a few moments, they can all laugh on silly things and forget their problems.
They are still allowed that, aren't they, she thought to herself as she put down the serving spoon and waited for Jake and Ma to sit down.