A Bastogne of Blankets

Beth compares her illness to the suffering of American soldiers in winter-time Bastogne during WWII.  Beth dislikes mysteries because she dislikes the world "mystery."  Michael doesn't care much for fiction but has a hard time not droning on about Tolkien.  Beth often defiantly and confidently says or writes the wrong thing. Michael lets embarrassment of her own making rain down on her for a good long while before drying her off with the truth.