"Mama, stop." The need to remain in the present, at least for a little while longer, was strong for her. Ruth intentionally gripped Irene's hand harder in order to pull her back from trying to figure it all out. There was something she and Irene both knew, trying to figure it out could easily consume the mind. Besides, they were trying to spend time together.
"It'll keep." Ruth took her coffee with her other hand and sipped it gingerly in spite of the fact it had gone chilly as they sat there. "It'll keep."
This time they had together didn't need to be sullied with the awareness that their future was dark and bleak. There was enough of that in the time outside. For now, they should talk about other things.
"Better to think of smiles and happiness now." How wonderful things were when they were oblivious.