i looked at his face , embarrassment coloring mine . as i did so , i felt something hard in the pocket of the gown . inch by inch , i raised my head until i could peek into the kitchen window past the ruffled curtains . it continued snarling and scratching at the door for about a minute before losing interest , then everything went silent again . hanging around his neck , over his sweater , is a gaudy cross . and what would happen to her when they did ? i may not be able to guide you back . 