That was enough to tell her what she needed to know. Rose didn't forget her. She closes her eyes and smiles with relief, maybe even gives a little prayer of thanks. She still doesn't know that anyone's actually listening, and it's weird to think about when she catches herself doing it, but it feels nice to spare the thought whether anyone receives it or not.

"We've all had to make sacrifices as we grew up. Some harder than others." But it's hardly the clothes she's talking about.

The grumbling behind her makes her uncomfortably aware that she's holding up the line. Something more personal will have to be arranged. "It's an excellent book, of course, but quite a godless one." Okay, maybe not exactly, but the kind she means don't tend to have tentacles. "You should spend more time in church." And she hands Rose a card for a shelter and orphanage in the Lower East Side, The House Of Our Blessed Virgin. The administrator named on it is Sister Mary Karmilla.