>>18899467SHEE6's mother chuckles at being called "Mrs. Wrestling Knight" as she looks up from the vegetables.
>"Oh, yes. If you'd like to help, I'd be happy for your company, AND your help. As you might imagine, I've gotten pretty good at cooking tacos, but an extra pair of hands makes any job more pleasant and more manageable."She makes room near a second cutting board for the Bubblegum Crisis sister who's joined her, and sets a portion of vegetables down with her.
>"We'll chop these finely to use as garnish for the tacos. Onions and cilantro, tomatoes and peppers. Rebecca likes a medley of anything and everything in her tacos, but when we have guests, I like to set each vegetable aside in a dish with a little spoon, so everyone can put what they like on their own tacos."SHEE6's mom begins chopping the vegetables with well-practiced skill. Almost as an afterthought, she turns to stir the seasoned meat frying in a nearby cast-iron skillet, then resumes chopping.
>"So, you're a friend of Rebecca's? I think that's wonderful. I'd like to see her meet new people and branch out a little more. I'm glad you made it here safely in this sudden blizzard! And I'll check on your friend Raquel in a little bit. If she's not looking better soon, perhaps I'll take her to the hospital."She adjusts her glasses and smiles at her new kitchen helper.
>"You can call me Claudia, by the way. What's your name?" 