she grabbed the pack and opened it , pulling out a towel-wrapped bundle of bread and cheese . uncle russ sucked in a sharp breath . after a few seconds of silence , cherry said , `` i ca n't connect mentally either . he had never spoken to anyone about his story , and he never planned to . i slam my back up against the wall and stare up in fright . `` it 's disappointing after you put in so much work , but it 's the right thing to do . '' 