Page 58 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“Out here,” Echo called from the living room.

He detoured back into the hall and found Echo seated on a massive pillow between the couch and glass coffee table, where he was doling noodles out onto two plates. No spaghetti like Mael had ever had before. It appeared to have vegetables in it. There was no red sauce, either. Although, it did seem to be the source of the pleasant aroma. He placed the salad bowl and bread down on the extra-long coffee table and took a seat on the pillow beside Echo. “What the heck is that?”

“Pasta Carbonara,” Echo replied.

“There’s green stuff in it.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re one of those steak and potatoes guys who won’t eat vegetables.”

Mael curled his upper lip. “And what’s wrong with that?”

“It’s peas, one of the least offensive vegetables. Even five-year-olds eat those,” Echo said. “If you try it and you don’t like it, I’ll make you something else.”

“No,” Mael said. They’d had a long day after little sleep the night before. No way was he making Echo cook again. “I’ll be a big boy and try it.” He pointed to something pinkish-brown in the dish. “What’s that?”

“Pancetta.”

“That’s like ham, right?”

“Sort of. Closer to bacon.”

Mael nodded. “I can do bacon. And peas. Any other weird ingredients I should be prepared for?”

“Just noodles, parmesan, and egg.”

“Egg?”

“Just try it,” Echo murmured.

Mael took a deep breath before spinning his fork in. He took a small bite and wasn’t sure at first, but as the food hit the back of his tongue, he smiled. “Not bad.”

Echo appeared to relax. “Thank heavens.”

“I eat in orca form most of the time. That doesn’t expose me to many human dishes, I’m afraid.”

“Really? So sitting down for dinner isn’t something you do often?”

Mael shook his head. “Not often, no.” He took another bite and smiled inwardly. The pasta was growing on him. “We don’t have a ton of resources on the island. Besides seafood, we have to ship most food and beverages in. Eating straight out of the sea saves us from astronomical food delivery costs. We do get deliveries, but infrequent and mostly staples when we do.”

“I wish you’d told me. We could’ve gone for a swim instead.”

“No,” Mael whispered. He leaned closer and pressed his lips to Echo’s. “I rather like this. It’s a rare treat.”

“Well, we’ll dine out in the ocean next time.”

“We don’t have to,” Mael said. “I actually think I like this pasta… what did you call it?”

“Carbonara,” Echo said before taking a bite himself.

Mael picked around his pile as he chewed another bite. “I don’t see any egg, though. Did I not get the egg?”

“It’s what makes the sauce.”

“Ohhh,”Mael said. “Well, shockingly, I like it. Even with egg in it.”

“Not an egg fan?”

“Meh,” Mael said. “They’re fine in some things.” He hefted another spoonful. “Like this.”

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