`` do n't worry about it , '' i said , stepping in front of her , to shield her from the waves of people now filling the music room . with that , i walked out and hailed a taxi after some effort . it was probably at least as long ago as the whole time id been alive . `` that 's the least of your worries ! she 'd feared something like this , but she was young and healthy and strong ; everything would be fine . i had decided to let myself fade . '' 