Molly was a little alarmed when he made a noise and looked over her shoulder somewhat guiltily, since she'd hoped not to wake them. But she gave him that small tricksy smile she sometimes had when she picked up the pot from the floor and reached to set it on the table. It was closer than the mini-stove. And there was no water in it yet anyway.

"People said it all the time at the markets. Grandma Suresh didn't think I heard."

Of course she had, though. She was observant and curses were easy to understand in any language.

There was a package of pasta on the table, the kind that was butterfly-shaped, and some broccoli.

"Do you want to help? We can surprise Matt."