he put the cheese down he made a joke about being scared to get
his fingers too close to Helen?s mouth.
?You?re one to talk,? Pandora grumbled. ?Just two weeks ago I
had to count the silverware after every meal to make sure you
hadn?t swallowed any of it.?
?You were healing two weeks ago?? Helen asked, and then remembered
that Hector and Pandora had arrived later than the rest
of the family.
103/395
So much had happened in just a few weeks that Helen felt like
every day had telescoped out into a week in itself. As she marveled
at how much her life had changed, she noticed that a silence had
fallen over the kitchen. Apparently, Helen had stumbled on to a
touchy subject because everyone was exchanging nervous glances
over her head.
?Sorry. I don?t mean to intrude,? Helen amended quickly.
?No, it?s fine. It?s just that Hector?s recent heal is part of
something much bigger,? Noel said. ?Right now, you eat.?
At first she felt the lingering reticence of a new guest, but as soon
as the lentil stew was put down in front of her, Helen?s whole being
was lost in a flavor blur. She was vaguely aware of other people
pulling up chairs or standing around by the stove while they tasted
this or that, got themselves a plate, or just hung out to talk, but she
was far too focused on the ever-changing dishes in front of her to
pick individuals out of the crowd. Noel kept the food coming. A few
times, Helen was aware of Cassandra shuttling trays up and down
the stairs, but it didn?t sink in that those were for Lucas until Helen
was falling asleep over something sweet and nutty made out of
dough.
?Ready for ice cream?? Noel asked her, absentmindedly pushing