Too Clever By Half

"It's called Kappa. It's named after a goblin who was fond of it," said Abby. She felt pleased with herself at using the word, "goblin," and briefly thought how few people would utter it at a Sushi Train.

Lou, who was down from the country and had not eaten sushi before, turned to her and asked, "Why don't we have vegetables named after goblins ?"

The kappa maki, strips of seeded cucumber wrapped in vinegar rice and seaweed, moved slowly past Abby. "Our goblins were carnivores," she said and reached out for the red plate carrying the kappa maki.

"It's like diet sushi." Abby looked across at the sushi chef as she ate. "Only seventeen calories per roll." Lou lunged at the next passing red plate carrying more kappa maki.

"Irasshaimase," shouted a young waiter as a couple sheepishly took their seats. The rest of the waiters and the chefs joined him in chorus. "They look like they're on a date," thought Lou. She thought she saw the boy blush as he sat down.

Abby pulled a piece of paper from the blue manila folder poking out of her shoulder bag. The shoulder bag was beige and made of hemp. Abby had bought it from Community Aid Abroad and imagined it confirmed her environmental credentials. Lou called it "Abby's hessian sack."

"I finished my poem," said Abby flapping the piece of paper excitedly in Lou's face.

"Let me read it then, great poet. Come on," Lou replied.

She read the first line. "The stone is still breathing."

She dipped her kappa maki into the wasabi and started eating. "Only seventeen calories," she thought.