Different RPs

"You'll have to show me some of the stuff," James said, pushing the cart alongside her.

"I will." She smiled, grabbig potatoes, onions,tomatoes, cilantro, pomegranate for color, dates, tamarind, brown sugar...she also grabbed some green lentils

James followed alongside her staring in wonder at the weird things he never had needed to purchase. "How long have you been cooking?"

"A while...I lost my mother a long time ago...Dad did often, but as i got older, I decided I'd pitch him more so he taught me and so a couple times aweek I'd cook for us both. He worked so hard and his job wasn't pleasant..."

"Wow, you two must have had it hard," James said.

"It wasn't so bad finacially..W lived simply. His job was very stressful and emotional. He wouldn't tell me everyday what he did,because it was horrific...."

"What kind of job was it?" James asked. He lifted up a jar of green olives and set it into the cart.

"Can I tell you back at your house? It's just.you really saw the horrors with his job...he didn't like seeing all that, but he knew he was doing a good thing."

"Sure," James said and moved down grabbing a jar of peanut butter. "Hey, why don't you get some supplies for your house since we're here?

"May as well," she admitted."She grabbed some mangos. She blushed. "My weakness."

James chuckled. "Aha, now I know your weakness." He twirled what would have been an invisible moustache.

Rana laughed. She gave a pout. "Aw schucks."

James grinned, "Olive?" he offered showing her the jar.

"Let me guess...you love olives?"

"All kinds," James said with a nod. He reached out with his other hand and brushed his fingertips across her cheek. "Eyelash," he lied.

"Oh," she giggled.

"Make a wish," he said with a soft smile.

"Ok," um. She focused. She knew she couldn't have her father back, but wished things would work out for her.

James watched her then pretended to blow it away. "It will come true," he said not knowing her wish, but trying to make her feel better. "What else do we need?"

"I hope so"

She tilted her head. "Have you ever had rose milk?"

"No, it sounds like it would be pink," James answered. He grabbed some cans of ready made macaroni and cheese that just needed to be heated up and put them in the basket.

"It is, but very refreshing and sweet.'

"I'm all for sweet and refreshing," James said grinning. "I want some cookies, speaking of sweet. I'm almost out of Oreos."

Rana laughed "I love oreos.

"Here, let me help you."

"Maybe I could tell you about Daddy after we eat?"

"Sure," James said. "I bet he was so interesting." He took the bowls from her. "Have a seat."

"He was and so loving."

She blushed sitting down at the table. "Thank you."

James set her bowl down and sat across from her, reaching across and taking a paper napkin then unfolding it with a snap of his wrist and laying it in his lap. "You bring him to life when you talk about him. I can almost see him."

Rana smiled. "He was a wonderful man," she whispered, taking a napkin.

James tilted his head watching her. "Do you resemble him or your mother more?"

She thought a while. "My mother, but I have my father's eyes and a lot of his personality."

"Ah," James said. He picked up his fork and dug it into the dish. "I'm going to judge your cooking now, okay?"

"Okay," Rana giggled, smiling.

James lifted the bite to his mouth and put it in. He chewed thoughtfully. "This is really good," he said after swallowing the bite. He studied the table for a minute. "We don't have any drinks. I'll get them. I have water or, um, water."

"I'm glad." She smiled"Water is fine."

James moved to the cupboard and got out ice then water and came back to the table. "It leaves a good aftertaste," he said.

"It's one of my favorites,"Rana admitted.

James sat down again, sipping at his water. "I was thinking that you can teach me about your culture too. That could be an excuse for you to use with Ayanna."

"Like for a class project or something. James I love spending time with you, but Ayanna can be er...pushy and won't ever let me hear the end of it...so I think that would give me an excse to use with her." she smiled.

"Exactly," James said. "Don't let her push you around, Rana."

"She just doesnt know when to stop," admitted "She's a sweet girl really and a good friend..."but we are so different...."

"Do you have photos of your parents?" James asked. "I have an idea for a picture."

"Yeah back home, but I do have one of my dad here. She got up and grabbed her purse and pulled out a picture.

"That's me and Daddy. I carry it everywhere."

"You do have his eyes. He's a good looking man. I bet your mum was beautiful though."

"She was..." Rana replied, sitting down."Very beautiful and mum and dad loved each other so much."

"Sometime's beautiful things just can't last," James said. "Like they make an appearance and then the world poisons them."

Rana wiped away a tear. "At least they are together now," she whispered. She couldn't help it and started to cry.

"And watching over you," James said quickly. He stood up and moved his chair around he table then put an arm around her. "Don't cry. I bet they want you to be happy."

"I miss them...and I'm an orphan now... I miss them so much," she said, weeks of keeping everything bottled up,letting loose

"I'm sorry," James said softly. His heart was breaking at her tears. He stroked his hand down her back. "You know what, go ahead and cry if you need to."