In "Motherless Brooklyn," author Jonathan Lethem portrays a scene where Carlotta, a nurturing figure, closely observes a meal shared among characters. As they enjoy her meatballs, she expresses her affection through gentle touches, creating an intimate atmosphere. The characters are aware of her attention yet choose to pretend they are not affected, highlighting their mixed feelings of embarrassment and longing for warmth.

This dynamic illustrates the complexity of human relationships, where love and care can be both comforting and painfully vulnerable. The characters crave nurturing, yet they struggle with the fear of exposing their own emotional needs in front of one another, revealing a deep layer of human experience related to connection and identity.