i lost contact with my man in the group forty-eight hours ago . she had two black eyes and her nose was swollen . `` yes , '' he replied , gently this time . james dried me but left us both nude , pulling me to the elevator by the collar . please look forward to your results in the mail . okay , so what 's next , you stubborn old goat ? down on the highway , city-bound traffic roared by , people rushing to work . the thought turned her stomach , and she wandered out under the trees . 