Redhawk Caldera disconnect the dots

I could've sworn I started writing a reply to this, but the draft is nowhere to be found. Womp womp!

The comment about "miscellaneous extras," made Fox feel instantaneously guilty. Without really thinking about it, she found herself looking at the pups, one by one. Which one was which? They were just potatoes with legs. She was staring blankly at them as Elwood and Peregrine went back and forth for a minute before the former asked how she was doing. “Fine, fine,” she replied with a weak smile, “Just tired.” Another lie, but she wouldn't fess up to being a poor mother.

What if she never loved them? What if she continued to feel this distance between herself and them? They were just... she couldn't even put a toe on it. Fox blinked, then refocused her attention on Finley, who'd been asked a question.