“One of Lila’s iron rules,” Grace said. “ ‘No whining in public. The story gets lost. All they remember is that you’re a whiner.’ ” Grace gave a half nod. “I liked them so much, I wanted them to like me.” She paused to find the exact, right words. “They mean a lot to you, and they love you.” Ruth blinked back tears. “I love them, too.” “Another Lilaism,” Grace said, “her daily-life take on Newton’s third law. Life tends to be reciprocal.”
