She nodded once, satisfied, and returned to her book. Our conversation was apparently concluded. I was being dismissed by a girl in a silk robe who communicated primarily in tea preferences and cryptic observations, and I had started to find this completely normal. That was probably something I should think about.
I didn't think about it.
The foyer was quiet. Mrs. Tanaka appeared from the side hallway as I passed, pressed a paper bag into my hands without comment. It was warm. It smelled like the teriyaki chicken from last night and also possibly croissants.
"Mrs. Tanaka, you didn't have to."
She gave me the look that meant she had already decided and my opinion was noted but irrelevant.
"Thank you," I said.
She nodded and disappeared back around the corner.
