Chapter 40

• There's a cacophony of crashing, banging, and splattering clam chowder, accompanied by a hysterical squeal as Sophia finds herself completely drenched in hot, lumpy, fishy liquid. The chaotic scene unfolds as dishes and soup cascade around her ankles, splattering her trouser legs and the surrounding walls and doors. The explosive mixture of seafood and soup manages to find its way into her eye and up her nose simultaneously, adding to the disarray.
• "Sadie!!! NO!! I told you to stop running around," one of the village women scolds her unruly child, offering no assistance to the distraught Sophia, who stands there covered in six servings of their food. The scalding liquid soaks through her thin attire, causing an uncomfortable skin reaction. Shocked and on the brink of a furious outburst, Sophia stands dumbfounded, the mounting anger evident on her face.
• "Ughhhh, Sadie, baby. Kitchens are not a playground," Glenda intervenes, appearing at the door with a towel in hand, exuding sympathy and dismay as she assesses the chaotic situation. Sophia snatches the towel from her, turning her attention sternly to the mischievous child—fuming, drenched in a mixture of substances, and acutely aware of the restaurant patrons' curious gazes.