"That's why I spared you this time," she chuckles, supervising the assembly of their plates until she's satisfied, considering his offer - that he'll help her. She wants to take another crack at this, at making it taste exactly like her abuela's, because this batch doesn't. She has no idea what she's missing.

She'll have to try again, so she nods. "Sure. I won't even twist your ear or smack your knuckles," she teases, but it's fond. She loved her family, when she still had them. It feels nice to have this connection, even if she simultaneously cautions herself not to get attached.

"We'll ease you into it," she decides, going back to her stool, taking her water since Jacob has volunteered to help bring over plates. "I still remember which peppers are the hottest. I won't let them hurt you."