>One problem at a time, I think.
>
Yeah, you're right. Rin agrees.
>Minutes later, your kasha announces the readiness of your lunch. She sets out the table before sticking her head out the door to summon Marissa in to eat. You can hear your blonde friend's strained noise, caught as she is between the prospect of lunch and the sight of a machine beloved to her. While Marissa stews, you help Rin is setting out the table before sitting down. Marissa manages to drag herself indoors as Rin finishes serving up the goods.
>Unsurprisingly, Marissa rabbits on about the car in question throughout most of your meal. Gently, you remind her now and again that food needs to be chewed, not merely talked around. It never ceases to amaze you how much passion resides within your friend, especially given the struggles she's had in her own life. But then, you've wondered now and then if that's why she's as passionate as she is. Some things that would crush the spirit of one seem to serve to empower another. Humans are strange beings sometimes.
>Marissa's presence at the dinner table does reduce the overall volume of your take a bit, but her company helps to make up for this. And Rin makes a good stir-fry, quantity notwithstanding. There's never enough water chestnuts, but that was true for your mother's stir-fries as well.
>As is the norm, Marissa finishes up first, pushing her chair back from the table with a satisfied sigh. "Mighty fine eats, Orin."
>"Glad you liked."