As always the first thing to catch her attention were the amazing smells. Street food and pork were pouring off the streets. International district was abuzz with sights and sounds that had been poorly missing from the stale Chato package that she had chosen. Life in your happiest time, thats what her friends in the frame had recommended. Here she was, a cold rainy day in Vancouver, the sound of the ships in the harbor. Rossa's mouth watered in anticipation of the noodles.
Ding Ding, the shop bell sounded as she pushed the door open. Above the door the small cat like statue with the bronze bell in its belly always let the shopkeep know she was coming. Kim's noodles were the best.
"Well hello stranger" the shopkeep said clearing a plate from the table. There were two other patrons in the tiny establishment. Tucked in between two larger more popular restaurants the street noise subsided as Rossa stepped in.
"Ms. Kim, its been too long" Rossa said as she walked over and hugged the shopkeep. Kim chuckled as she wrapped her arms around Rossa.
"Girl, it has been, but you can always come visit" Kim jostled. The two held the embrace for a moment, then Kim holding two dishes wiggled free and went behind the counter. She placed the dishes in the sink and rubbed her hands on her flower adorned apron.
Rossa had always loved this place, the hole in the wall refuge when she wasn't filming a new show. All the major places didn't quite have the alluring flavors of Kim's hole in the wall.
"The usual... Udon?"
"Kim, what you know I love your spicy noodle"
"Ohh... sorry been so long" A twinkle appeared in her eye. "Well let me check, its been a busy day but I might have a little something left over"
"Delicious as always" one of the patrons said leaning over. "You know your stuff if its the spicy noodle"
"Yes yes" Rossa said waving her hand.
"Rossa" the patron leaned over, she had dressed down compared to the crowd that was outside, her brown hair slick from the rain outside, was sloped over hiding a bit of her face.
"Claire, I could hardly recognize you, my god I am sorry"
"Isn't that the point" she responded.
"What are you doing here? I haven't seen you since. Well since that ComicCon was it?"
"Battalion One, special..."
"Battalion One, the Special Session" Claire connected the dots.
"So famous" Kim interjected, she pulled back the lid on a large pot behind the counter and started to stir a ladle in her secret sauce.
The two movie stars looked around the room with wide eyes. "Kim, shhh someone might hear"
"All right, All right... " Kim waved her hand over her shoulder as she went to pull fresh noodles out.
"Well I'm sure this is you time away" Claire brushed her wet hair "I don't want to bother you"
"Noo, noo. I knew Kim was here, I know the rules."
Kim dropped the noodles in a wok and pointed at the sign hanging on a beam that split the kitchen and the counter.
Be Present
Be Polite
Be Real
"There are rules and there are decency" the star chuckled.
"Ok, well its good to know you haven't changed"
"Quantization affecting me?" Eyebrows and pitch of voice raised together as Claire placed her furrowed hand on her chest.
"My dear, there are but two things I can't stand in this world. Wasting other peoples moments, and wasting our own." Rossa responded.
"My god, no one ever remembers that movie"
"That line, you could tell there was something in your experience so authentic"
"I, I just. My mother was on her death bed. Weather had been inexplicable, much like today." She straightened her wet hair for a moment. "I had to fly last minute from a set, my sister had been there. You know no amount of grief for the one who is away while the other one is watching..." Claire trailed off for a moment.
"Anyways, I arrive, told we only had days. She held on to see me I think. I walk in and she looks at me... I can only imagine the pain she had to hold on to see me one last time." She closed her eyes, paused and rubbed her forehead.
"Before I could start, she said don't. We only have so much time, I don't want these last moments to be regret." her hand was shaking a bit. Rossa reached out and placed her hand on the star's hand.
"Of all the things... It makes sense in that scene you pulled from this."
"Well, she had a life lived and in so many ways I wish I could be that strong at the end"
"Don't we all Dear" Kim said, she placed a hot bowl of noodles gently in front of Rossa. Then placed a hand on Claire's shoulder.
"No Filter" Claire composed herself, wiping the tears from her face that had mixed with the remnants of the rain from her hair.
"Well do you want to try the noodle" Kim said bluntly to Rossa. The two stars burst out laughing.
"All right, let me" Claire grabbed Rossa's hand before she took a bite.
"Its her grandson, hes at the shop"
"What" Rossa blinked
"Its her grandson, i'm just letting you know, hes at the shop. Hes the current taster. The first one can be disorienting if you haven't tried it"
Rossa hesitated for a moment.
"Its the real thing" Kim said, "Authentic"
"Its fine, I just didn't want you to be startled" Claire squeezed Rossa's hand.
"Eat Eat" Kim waved her tongs in the air like a conductor leading an orchestra.
Rossa took up the chopsticks, the noodles were still steaming a bit as she took up a large portion. She turned her head and closed her eyes taking in the aromas, then took a big bite. A flood of sensation filled her the smokiness of the noodles filled with the chili flakes and sesame oil portioned to perfection. Her digital memories could do no justice to this. The flavor lingered for a moment. As it died off she opened her eyes.
In the mirror in front of her she saw Kim's grandson looking back at her. He sat at the counter next to Claire and his smile mirrored her own. But his eyes were closed.
Reading Claire's face, Kim commented "I tell him less scary if he leaves his eyes closed"