Even though Sallie's kitchen has a cut-out view to the dining room, the old woman is nowhere to be seen, from the boys' perspectives from the dining room table.

She'd crouched, stuffing her hands in her apron pockets as she looked for --

Her hand brushes metal and cord, and a pendant is pulled out, resting in her palm.

They want to help

They never want to help

They'd hurt before helping

The pendant goes around Sallie's neck, eyes closed until the pendant lands with a light tap against her sternum which lands like a ton of bricks.

The old woman's eyes snap open, and wrinkles pronounce as the woman moves

-- unsmiling -- there's no smiling here, ever -- even when she fakes it it never hits the eyes --

to pick up the utensils and the heavy ceramic pie dish, with a cheery: "Coming, boys."