"Katie dear, if you were hungry why didn't you say so?" says a voice behind Kate.
"Cor... busted!" she says to herself. She turns expecting to see a very cross mother about to scold her, even at her age of 23. Instead she sees her mother simply smile at her.
"It's all right Kate. I understand. I've understood for a good 35 years or so. Let me fix you something."
"Um, thanks mum. And sorry if I woke you and dad."
"Not a problem at all. We all have to adjust to your condition now. How you holding out kiddo?"
"I think the rate of cravings has increased exponentially, just as the Doc said it would. I just don't like how fast it's happening though."
Cass nods as she prepares a "light" meal. When Kate gets nervous she talks in scientific jargon.
"How's the mobility?" she asks finally.
"Getting harder with each added pound." sighs Kate. "But I have to wait until 31st October for the vibration frequencies to be spot on with what I plan to do."
"Still going on about that eh?" asks Cass as she lies the sushi down before Kate. Kate immediately grabs it.
"Yeah. No offense to anyone with the Hunger, especially you mum, but I can't be immobile. How am I going to take time trips weighing a ton or more? It's just not me."
"Honey. It's okay. I understand and fully support you." Cass now lies the lasagna down.
"Besides it's not like I'm trying to regress myself back to when I was a teen, although that would be so awesome!"
"I wish you could regress me back to a teen." smiles Cass as she puts down the roast chicken.
"Too many years equals too mush power mum, you know that. That level of power could kill both of us."
"I was only joking dear. Eat up."
"Oh, right." says Kate as she starts to devour everything.