Hale picked up a strand with his fork, but it slipped off before it reached his mouth. "Daddy, the noodles are too soft."
"Uh… soft ones are easier to digest," Ned said awkwardly.
Alex took one bite and put his fork down. "It's way too salty. Kids shouldn't eat food this salty."
Ned tasted it himself—indeed, far too salty.
He picked up the sauce bottle and checked the label. It said "Recommended amount: ¼ bottle," but he had used nearly half the bottle.
"I'll make a new batch. Don't eat this." He stood up and cleared all the plates from the table.
Alex watched his busy figure in the kitchen, then sat back down quietly.
For the second batch, Ned carefully controlled the heat and timing, cooking the pasta to the perfect firmness. He followed the bottle instructions precisely and used only a quarter of the remaining sauce.
Alex took a bite, then paused.
"How is it?" Ned asked, a little nervous.
