Noodles and Pocky

Jessica found it hard to tear her eyes away from the unusual sight of Ein eating noodles. Until she felt Spike’s eyes on her and realized that he had said her name twice. She looked up, the back of her neck burning.

“What?”

“Where did you learn to cook like this?”

“Well my parents taught me initially, and my brother-in-law taught me Japanese cooking, but my dad’s the one who encouraged me to experiment like this.” She waved a hand at the plates that held the sesame-soy fried instant noodles. “I can make a good meal out of anything, as long as I have basic necessities.”

Spike grunted, he was too busy eating to form a reply, and Jessica followed his example so that they ate in silence.

“Seconds!” Ed hollered from her corner, holding up her empty plate.

Jessica smiled, “Hang on a minute Ed, I’ll get you something.” She retrieved her backpack and started digging in the pockets. “Aha!” She sat up, holding a small box in her hand. “Here Ed.”

Ed inspected the box. “What is it?”

“Its Pocky. Here,” Jessica opened the box, and the package inside, handing it to Ed. “Try one.”

Ed pulled out one of the skinny strawberry-coated sticks, licked it suspiciously, and then popped it in her mouth. Her eyes lit up and she quickly set to devouring the whole box. Jessica pulled out two more, holding one out to Spike.

“Want one?”

He took the proffered box from her and she sat back, pulling her feet up onto the chair’s cushion and slowly savored each chocolate-covered biscuit-stick.

“These have to be my favorite candy. I guess they must not make them anymore huh?”

Spike shook his head, Pocky dangling out of his mouth like a cigarette, Jessica grinned.

“When did they leave?” Spike said suddenly, startling her out of her reverie.

“Jet and Faye? Um, about an hour before you came back.” She looked at him with narrowed eyes, “Why?” she asked warily.

“No reason.” He stretched out on the sofa, propping his feet up. “Think I’ll sleep for a while.” He closed his eyes.

Jessica watched him for a while then, assured that he was asleep, pulled her backpack to her and started digging through it, searching.

Ten minutes later she had a small pile of items that she deemed “useless.” Her cell phone (no towers so no signal, besides who would she call?), the contents of her wallet (different currency), her plane ticket, her passport, and her Japanese-to-English dictionary. She reached across the table and poked Spike. He shifted, but didn’t wake up.

“Hey Spike,” she whispered, poking him again. “Hey Spike,” she said louder. “How much would someone pay for paper money?” His eyes opened, and she realized how close they were, she drew back.

“Huh?” Spike said sleepily, sitting up.

“How much d’you think I’d get for this stuff?” She gestured to the pile on the table, “If I’m really stuck, I don’t need them.”

He looked over each item carefully, fingering the stack of bills and the credit cards with especial care.

“Well?” Jessica asked after a while. “How much would I get?”

“A lot more than any bounty that Jet and Faye could be getting.”

She looked at him for a while. “You’re feeling better right? Sober?” he nodded; she smiled. “D’ya think we’ll be done before they get back?”

“Yeah, most likely, if I know Faye.”

Jessica stood up, “then let’s go!” she held out her hand to him, pulling him to his feet and towards the door. Then she stopped, “wait, where should we go?”

Spike narrowed his eyes for a moment, then he grinned.

“I think I know a place.”