"Hmm. Good." Is she referring to the ribs or the visit? It's initially hard to tell. "Then you will want to maintain all semblance of that normalcy for at least three weeks, if not a month." ..Visit. "They will likely observe you closely, to ensure you weren't faking things for their sake."

Which he was. Just exactly what he was faking isn't going to be what his family expected. She sways close, clapping one hand to his shoulder, before pushing past to fetch a napkin or five. She may not be using cutlery but she's not a savage.