You tell Heart "I understand if you thought it was not time for me to meet your parents yet, but I don't want to turn down an invitation like that. We can still do other things you planned after." She signs, "What do you mean it's not time to meet yet? Is that something you postpone? Doesn't that lead to trouble getting along?" "I suppose it does." You think about it. "I should try to impress your mother, then." You turn to her mom. "Should I ask your name, or call you 'Mom', or...?" "Yellow Flower," she signs, "but I like 'Mom' too, if you're comfortable with that." "I see. Can I be direct?" you ask. "What kind of person were you hoping Beating Heart would find?" "Someone who is kind," Mom tells you, "and who can help feed her future children." You tell her "I ended up here because I needed to take any job, but I think things will be better for me by then. It's still very early to think about." Heart signs, "That's not what she means." "What?" you ask. Heart carefully considers what to tell you. "It's something I've been told not to sign to humans. She is complimenting what she knows about you, not making demands." "What? Now I'm curious." "Think about the height our eyes are at." You look down. You see. "Oh. I don't think those work the way she thinks they do." Mom gets up. "I think I'll be better at feeding you than knowing what to sign."