"I missed hearing you play." She had records, certainly, and could perform on a piano if pressed but she never cared to. It didn't have the same warmth, the same life even a detached, medicated musician could bring to the notes. "I kept track of your performances. I couldn't attend but-"

She takes a moment to turn down the burners- there's food enough for anyone else walking by. In this moment? Grace doesn't want her attention split between meal preparation and her child. The most potentially volatile- the most wronged. Part of her compliance was hard-wired, going along with what Reginald wanted but- she can't help feel as though she should have done more for Vanya. Done better."I wanted to."

Something she's never done- pulling out one of the chairs for her own use- she doesn't eat, why have a seat at the table? Why share a meal like this with the children? There wasn't a point in it but- that isn't the point of this moment. Carefully, as this is new ground, Grace offers her hand over the table. "More than once I tried to go- but I could never make it past the gate. Oh- but I was able to read your book."