but when he 'd returned yesterday , i 'd made the decision that it was in the past . the leather was stiff without being brittle . she took half a dozen steps toward the door , felt her legs give way , and fell to the floor . chuck said , `` kiss your wife good-bye . i smiled , and he set the cream cheese on the counter and moved to me . freedom to come and go when i wanted . `` i 'd forgotten about that , '' aunt pol said with a thoughtful frown . 