“Here you go, Apple,” Jet said, deftly transferring what appeared to be zucchini tempura onto Julia’s plate. “Let me know when you need more, Watermelon.” Jet called Banana any fruit other than Banana which Banana found hilarious—Julia, not so much.
“Let’s get to work!” Banana said through a mouthful of tempura. She pounded her fist against the table, scowling at each of us in turn.
“Banana!” Julia said, aghast at her daughter’s behavior. Julia was more perturbed when the rest of us burst into laughter at the sight of Banana perfectly imitating her mother when Julia got in a snit or a panic. “What?” Julia scowled, causing us to really laugh it up. She and Banana were the spitting image of each other.
“Oh, Julia, if you could see your face,” Anu said, delicately brushing the corner of her eye with her fingertip. “That is so priceless, Banana.”
“Thank you, Auntie,” Banana beamed, taking another bite of her tempura. Now that she’d gotten what she’d wanted, she was the picture of placidness.
“You’re not saying I act like that!” Julia said, pointing a finger at her chest. Her perfectly proportioned face screwed itself up, looking more like Banana when the latter was having a temper tantrum. Julia patted her blunt cut which looked strangely good on her. “I exhibit perfect decorum no matter what the circumstances.”
“Oh please, Yamamoto,” Jet said, rolling his eyes. “You can be so mean when things aren’t going your way.” The rest of us nodded our heads in agreement. “Banana is only imitating what she sees every time we come over.”
“It’s not like the rest of you are angels, either,” Julia protested, her eyes darkening. “If I do scream like that, and I find it highly unlikely, it’s only because the rest of you are such slackers.”
“I’ll get it done by next time, honest,” Banana said, looking hangdog. She dropped her head in mock-shame before peeking up at us, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Busted, Bobby!” I crowed, clapping my hands in delight. Bobby was always late with his reports, though he managed to meet his outside deadlines on time. I supposed I should be thankful he kept us waiting and not the public, but it was damned frustrating.
“What, were you talking to me?” Banana’s expression became puzzled as she looked from one to the other. “Oh, um, ok.”