she reached for the phone on the end table . `` i wish that were true , but ... '' she lifted her shoulders , then dropped them again . `` and what if i make a lot of racket and pass out if you bite me ? '' `` hey , pal , '' i said , `` want to go to the playground ? '' you know it was a peculiar thing that happened the other day . youve always been the one person i could talk to . 