Ike and Bobby, pages 144-152

Mrs. Sterns is an old lady who is missing her child. She sees that the boys need a female figure to take their mind off of things and bring them back to childhood. She entrusts them with a keep and says about her wallet, "you know where it is" suggesting that they are already fmailiar and comfortable with each other. Her hair reminds me of the description of Bone's friend in "Bastard outr of Carloina." Like an older lady, she shows affection through baking. It is a good, warm chapter. I think if the author meant otherwise, he would have done somehting along the lines of spoiling the milk or making it sour. Like a mother breastfeeding, Mrs. Sterns nourishes the boys with glasses of milk.