[The only really nice thing about the problems with her gift is the silence. After years of hearing everything going on for miles around herself, just being able to concentrate on the sounds in the kitchen is a wonderful thing. Her uncle's choice to be silent is noted, too, and appreciated.

But they had never really talked, had they. Dolores' tendency to hold herself a little distant from the rest of the family notwithstanding, approaching Bruno had always felt a bit... odd.]

No. [She chuckles faintly, shakes her head.] Sometimes... I wondered what you might do if I talked back. If you knew that I knew. [Dolores starts picking at her breakfast, keeping her eyes down.]

But I didn't want to drive you away completely. I know that you... did what you did because it felt like the only choice you could make.