“‘It’s something that makes produce stay fresher. Longer.’

‘Ah. I see.’ She nodded in understanding, her eyes suddenly warmer, and I wondered what she knew.”

Rue is explaining her research to Nyota and when Rue registers her reaction, she realizes that Nyota may know about the struggles that she once had with food insecurity. By combining subtle body language with pointed narration, Hazelwood creates a nuanced portrait of her characters’ unspoken vulnerabilities and emotional insecurities. This scene represents one of the first references to Rue’s past and subtly foreshadows the issues that she will exhibit with food in subsequent chapters.

“I was born without a sense of humor.”

In this flat, unadorned statement, Rue reveals her poor opinion of her own social skills to Eli when they first meet, and her unapologetic admission indicates that she refuses to mask who she is for the sake of building a new social connection. Ironically, however, he is instantly attracted to her serious demeanor and blunt communication style. Her conviction that she lacks a sense of humor also proves ironic when she delivers jokes in a dry, sarcastic fashion. However, it is also clear that she does not show this side of herself unless she trusts someone.