Branch One Hundred and Seventy

They had the meal and when they came to the bottom of the pot Jessica stood up with the pot in her hand.

"You can get ready for bed while I do the dishes," she said walking to the kitchenette.

"Wait," he said almost in a shout. Startled she turned around to face him. "I'll do the dishes," he said walking up to her and snatching the pot from her hand.

"Wait I can't let you do that," she said standing in his way.

"Why? Because you think I can't do it?" he asked his eyes twinkling.

"Have you ever done the dishes before?" she asked him.

"No I have not but it shouldn't be that hard now should it?" he asked walking to the sink.

"Doing the dishes is a part of the meal preparation" she told him following behind.

"Why don't you just rest and I do the dishes? Isn't it just this one pot?" he asked holding her hand and walking her back to the room. "Stay put" he added walking back.

Jessica stood and watched him work. It was a rare situation as she had never seen him do anything of such b