men were n't supposed to be able to help but look at my mother . `` on the off chance that you 'd be here and i could finally lay my eyes on you . '' first the hill at our house , then the tree and now this . again she broke off and went silent . how could you possibly love somebody like that ? '' he did n't turn or speak , his hands shoved in the pockets of his pants . but her age explained the cane . 