mother lies with her knees bent at an odd angle on her side crying . so when my phone buzzed that i 'd received it , i read it without preparing myself . the others settled into similar postures . she brought it around and lifted it as far as the chain would allow . anybody else would have kept the information to themselves . i will give them the chase of their life , he grinned . how would you feel about me not wearing one ? '' she asks , popping open a box of refrigerated chocolates . 