Phyllis was let in second, to her umbrage. She held her son’s hand, staring down in what was an exaggeration of labored politeness, until Ruth, who was hovering nearby in shock and bewilderment, realized that Phyllis wanted her to leave the room. Ruth had no fight left in her, so she left, and, as she did, she heard Phyllis lean into Carl, who had begun to cry, and say, “Listen to me, boychick. This happened to your body. This did not happen to you. Don’t let it in.”
