“I can’t believe you’re blaming ME,” Roma said. “All I did was grow. I didn’t ask to end up like this.”

“Urrrk,” Beefsteak grumbled. “I wish I hadn’t grown so big.”

“There’s not much we can do about it now,” Rutgers, always the thoughtful one, explained.

One by one, they were picked up by the mysterious creature standing by the pot of boiling water, and tossed in.

“I thought there was more to life than this,” Black Cherry sighed.

“Quit being so emo,” Dixie Golden scolded, in her signature Dolly Parton chirp. “Enjoy what you’ve got now!”

“She’s boiling then tearing the skins off then running us through a grinder.” Cherry continued. “I mean, it can’t get much worse.”

“I’m proud to be packed in the jar today,” San Marzano trilled. Those were his last words as the vise closed around him.

An hour later, Grandma wiped the last pot clean and admired her jars of sauce all lined up so pretty, cooling.

“Thank you for your sacrifice, my dears,” she said, then tossed her dish towel into the wash bin and sat down to rest.