he has to pick something up , he says . the house needed to be cleaned and we needed to go to the grocery store . `` that 's not enough time , '' i responded respectfully . carry-on luggage and soon-to-be-exchanged gifts litter the walkway between crowded rows of seats . bobbing his head , he trotted off while the others jostled one another to reach the bowl . as if he were a figure carved out of ice . he licks his lips and looks over my body . 