She narrowed her eyes slightly as she gazed at him. It was clear from the look on his face that he most likely wouldn't remember her answer, even if he heard her. His question was more of a proper pleasantry. She could have fun with this. Indeed.  Leaning forward on the counter, closer to him, a sly smile on her lips she whispered, "Honestly? Do you really wanna know?" A pause, as if she were truly waiting for a reply. "It's truly none, okay none, are you with me, none of your business." The last word she yelled before pulling away and playfully whacking him on the back of the head. "You look like you just rolled out of bed, and you gonna stand there and question me? What's the matter with you? Where you been? More to the point, who you been with? See? I can ask questions too." The smile had grown on her lips. Playing around with him was fun, and much like the know sister stereotypes, she loved to tease him. "Just make sure you wrap your salami there alright. Don't want any little ones running around."<br/><br/>She mad her way around the island, coming to rest behind him. Her hands taking his shoulders and rubbing them, working his muscles. The bustle of people had been swept under the rug before, blinded by his question. His question alone was one that could have landed her in hot water. Working? On the day of a family dinner? Her mother certainly would not approve, at least that was her fear. Then there was him. Her fingers began to work his muscles harder. "Your tight you know. Wait. I'll bet you say that to all the girls," she teased. "What have you been up to. No pun intended." Her eyes continued to scan the room as she listened. She couldn't stop the one question burning through her mind. 'Where is he?'<br/><br/>"Yeah," she called out, forgetting her manners and her place as she was snapped from her own thoughts by her mother's voice. "I can add....the veal," she said, feeling that even the words must sound somehow bad coming from her lips. Her fingers released him and gave him a playful pat on the back before heading over to the bubbling, smoldering stove. It was so busy, so alive with activity, and now she was a part of it, as if she were some subservient woman back in time, meant only to cook and clean. She thought of her mother than that, but her mind couldn't help loathe the concept of women being regarded in that manner. She was a woman. She owned that fact, but there was so much more to her than cooking and cleaning, at least she wanted there to be.