"Melisa, let's split the remaining food in half and finish it. Tomorrow, Mommy will take your father's gun and go out to find bread and noodles for you!"
Gabrielle Olsen made up her mind and divided the last few roots into two portions. She closed her eyes, grabbed one portion, and placed it in her mouth. Then, with great difficulty, she chewed a few times before taking a hard gulp of water, forcing the roots down her throat.
The bitter taste of the roots mirrored her desolate mood hopeless and bleak.
Seeing her mother eat the roots, Melisa obediently grabbed her share and stuffed them into her mouth. The roots were intensely bitter, carrying a strange grassy flavor that left her mouth dry and unpleasant. In the past, she would have spat them out immediately, followed by a haughty tantrum, swearing never to touch such garbage again.
But now, she ate them with relish.
The roots, washed down with water, eased the gnawing hunger in her stomach somewhat.
