Melody got Becky onto the floor, but the child lingered near her with one hand on Melody's leg. Sarah looked as though she wanted to come get Becky, but came no closer.

"No," Melody said. "Not like this, at least."

"I guess now that you're ... living on your own you can choose to ... have children or something."

Melody shrugged. "I'm sterile."

"Oh," Sarah, said, fidgeting with her collar. "I guess that would be a popular feature." She paused. "Becky, really, we need to go."

"Can Melody come visit us some time?" Becky said, slowly pulling away from Melody and walking to her mother.

"Maybe, dear. Melody and I can talk about it later."

Sarah and Becky walked back out of the lunch...

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