Why doesn't Sal comfort Phoebe when she's is crying?

Sal doesn't comfort Phoebe when she's crying because she feels overwhelmed by her own emotions and struggles to process her feelings about her mother's absence. Additionally, Sal is uncertain about how to approach Phoebe's pain, as she is dealing with her own grief and confusion. This emotional distance reflects Sal's internal conflict and the complexity of navigating relationships during difficult times.