i shake my head , trying to drown out the sweet , soothing sound of his voice as he inches closer to me . for the first time in my life , i felt alive ... and safe . you need to tell your mother . `` he wants me to come over for dinner tonight . '' instead she 'd tackle the house , packing what she could , and making some of the decisions that had to be made . but they would , and they will . `` i wonder if alexander looks like his mother or his father . '' 