The aroma of cooking vegetables began to fill the kitchen. Michael opened a simmering pot, inspected his concoction, and closed it. He turned off the heat and went to open a cupboard and pulled out a pair of plates. He placed them on the counter top and opened a pot, beginning to plate the food. Lucia was standing at his elbow and watching his every move with fascination.
"Is this enough?" he asked, indicating the serving of forbidden rice on her plate.
She looked at the plate he was indicating and nodded. He nodded and set aside the pot. He went to open another pot but stopped with his hand hovering on the lid before he walked over to another counter and opened a drawer. He pulled out two sets of forks and spoons and came back. He placed all but a spoon on the counter. Lucia watched him open the pot and then took a spoonful of vegetables and presented them to her with his hand under the spoon in case of a spill. Lucia looked at him questioningly.
