then it was confusion , questions , worry . no need to make a scene in front of the lovely raven . '' my voice sticks in my throat , a jagged lump that feels like it might tear a hole through me . his smile seemed to say , thats mine , fellas . i raced to get the luggage to the curb , then waited anxiously while the man counted out the bills and handed them to me . `` want to put a leash on me too ? '' `` no one should be allowed to have legs this long . '' 