Nesah maintained her disapproving look while she ate some more of her bread. But as she looked at his posture and his words sank in, her expression softened. Had he actually been hurt by the lack of communication? Had he actually missed them?

Dear Uriel. Despite his size, he really was the gentlest and most sensitive of them all. Zech was courteous, but underneath all the civility it was clear as day that she was an unwelcome guest. Menachem had lost his mind and seemed to hate the entire world. Penina was busy with her family, and Nesah always felt like a burden when she visited (and her dreadful children were certainly a burden on Nesah). Most of her siblings were too busy to bother with her. Had Uriel... actually cared?

"That's not what I said," she said, her voice more quiet and unsure. "I had not thought you would care much anyway, being so busy with university and all... I'm sorry." And she meant it.