Uyo walked into the kitchen. Tival stood at the counter, intent upon the carrot positioned under his knife. Without warning, a rhythmic bap-swee-crunch-bup began and just as quickly ended as Tival’s knife and hands flowed over the carrot.
“Why do you chop them like that?” asked Uyo, collapsing into a chair at the small table by the window.
“Like what? How should I chop them?” Tival asked as another carrot fell prey to his knife.
“I don’t know…less — abruptly, maybe?”
“Oh,” Tival said with a chuckle. “Just keeping my skills how I keep my knife. You never know when you’ll get a runner.” When no laugh or even groan emanated from the direction of the table, Tival set the knife down and turned to look at Uyo.
“Ah, picked up the sedra, did you?” asked Tival.
Uyo nodded.
“Rough way to start the day,” said Tival. “But I’ve got something that will help.”
Picking up the knife, he crossed to the opposite window and cut a slice from a loaf he’d baked earlier. He set it on a plate and spread a generous amount of sweet cream butter on it from a crock nearby.
“Here you go. Eat this,” said Tival, setting the plate in front of Uyo and taking the chair next to theirs.
“What is it?” Uyo asked as they watched the butter disappear into the still warm bread.
“Date bread,” said Tival. “It will give you strength to fight the sedra.”
“It’s delicious, Tival,” mumbled Uyo with a mouth full of butter-soaked bread.
“And the sedra?” asked Tival.
“The same,” said Uyo around another bite.
“Did you try offering it a piece?”
Uyo paused in their chewing to throw a withering look at Tival.
“What?” asked Tival, raising his hands in mock defense. “It’s good bread. If you’re not having success fighting the sedra, it can’t hurt to try feeding it, can it?”
“The sedra isn’t hungry,” said Uyo, popping the last bite into their mouth and licking butter and crumbs from their fingers. Uyo stood. “I should get going. Otuam will be waiting for me.”
“Oh. Well, I’m sure you’ll have the sedra sorted out by midday,” Tival called after them as Uyo opened the door.
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