"She's cute," Beth says, letting the cat settle and then scratching her ears. "Not as cute as Anthony, but I think I have to say that or Daryl'd be mad at me for thinkin' another cat is cuter than his."

She's quiet for a little while, stroking the cat's ears and just sitting in comfortable silence with Noah. "How come you haven't been out much?" she asks finally. If he doesn't want to tell her, it's okay, but she wants him to know he can.