He knows it when he sees it, or he's pretty sure he does. Because he's been feeling it, and he's pretty sure Beth has too - it was difficult to miss what she was playing before, the mood of it, and there's a way she's been looking at the tree.

She wanted so much for this to be a special Christmas, it meant so much to her, but there are some things she just can't do. Some gaps she just can't fill. And it breaks his heart a little, but maybe it's also a little better than she's not the only one feeling it. If it's something they're all sharing, another weight they carry together.

Because they're family.

"Hey." He sits down next to Carl, looks from the plate to him. He doesn't need to ask if he's all right. That's not a very smart question. "Guessin' it's not the food. Ain't amazin' but it ain't that bad."