Out of the Dust: 106. My Life, or What I Told Louise After the Tenth Time She Came to Dinner Summary & Analysis

Billie Jo tells Louise that although she looks like her father, she has her mother’s hands—“piano hands.” She tells Louise about how much she loves playing piano even though hers is covered in dust. She also talks about her mother’s love of apples; apparently, she used to put apples in a bowl and place them on a shelf near the piano. Additionally, she tells Louise that she and her family, although they struggled, were happy before her mother’s accident.

Louise listens to Billie Jo calmly, meeting her gaze with confidence. Billie Jo continues discussing her life. She talks about how her hands are starting to hurt less now and how she hopes to play her piano again if she can clean the dust out of it. As Billie Jo talks, she notices that Louise just listens and nods. She never tries to give Billie Jo advice or tell her what to do. Billie Jo appreciates this about Louise. Louise understands everything Billie Jo says and some of the things she doesn’t say.