he carried his mothers illness like atlas carried the world , on his shoulders , knees bent in fear of the unknown . `` are you coming here to break up with me ? '' is this what people talk about in business meetings ? i could see it as plain as day in their eyes . so , it seems you have a way with big , dumb lizards . doing what i 'd asked because you promised me that you 'd keep quiet . '' after a pause , he put out his palm . 