Cabin Rules #104

The smell of chili floated through the cabin. It had been building for hours, mingling with the perpetual aroma of sawdust. A single bead of sweat clung to Fornell’s forehead.

“Are you a beans or no beans guy?”

“Actually, I read sun-dried tomatoes add umami,” Phil said.

“No,” Gibbs said, barely looking up.

“You really gotta try it. I picked some up at the market—let me just—”

“I’m not sure that’s the best idea,” Fornell said.

“Oops.”

Phil had already poured them in.

“Are you two done yet? Or are we gonna eat at sunrise?”

“We should really let the pot simmer—”

Gibbs stood, crossed to the stove, and grabbed a spoon. He plunged it into the pot, tasted.

“Good enough for me.”

Fornell frowned. “I really don’t think the flavors have blended yet.”

Gibbs picked up the ladle and filled three bowls.

They stood there and ate in silence. Until.

“I think it’s salty,” Fornell said, frowning.

No one spoke about the sun-dried tomatoes.

Rule #104: Don’t talk during chili.