Me: There's flowers in my salad
Ruth: Those are nasturtium. They're beautiful, aren't they?
Me: I hate to eat this. It's like a work of art.
Ruth: That's part of how starved you've been. I think you're afraid that this is the last beautiful thing that's going to happen to you, and you want to hold on to it.
Me: How did you know that?
Ruth: I'm your neighbor. It's a wonderful salad, Jess. I made it just you to enjoy. But the next one will be luscious too.
Me: You know when your leg falls asleep how it hurts when the circulation starts again? I'm not sure I want to hope. I don't want to get disappointed again.
Ruth: We both already know all about disappointment. Let's not anticipate it.
Me: This is just why you didn't want to let me in, isn't it? Why are you being so nice to me now?
Ruth: I'm sorry I was so cold. I misunderstood you. I thought you were frightened and confused and I was afraid you'd sap my strength. After you backed off I realized I couldn't figure you out - that's a very attractive quality in my book. You seemed to be so much stronger and calmer than I'd first given you credit for. So I changed my mind. It's a woman's prerogative.