it had followed us here , too . `` by the time james was born , my dad had almost completely opted out of family life . with each step she takes , her mouth turns up more , and by the time she reaches me , she 's almost smiling . she was beside herself with joy until she walked past her husbands room . he 's a greasy little rat , but he survives . '' just do n't make too much of a mess . '' 