Roselet took out a handkerchief from her purse and gently wiped her mother's tears away. After using it, she looked at her hanky and exclaimed in a slightly dramatic tone, "I'm glad you don't wear tons of makeup; otherwise, my hanky would have been ruined." She glanced at Ethlyn, hoping for a smile, but Ethlyn remained somber.

"Feeling better?" Roselet inquired, tucking the hanky back into her purse.

"What did you just say?" Ethlyn asked with a stern expression.

"Feeling better?"

"Before that."

"I'm glad you don't wear tons of makeup; otherwise, my hanky would have been ruined."

"Before that."

"Mommy?"

"Listen, pup; I'm not your mommy. Just because you...