she was sitting down and rocking gently , sobbing quietly and holding her stuck foot just above the ankle . charles ran his stubby fingers down his face . if the schoolyard were a coral reef , then the outer edge near the fence was the equivalent of shark infested water . `` although i do feel much more rested now . '' she crossed his name off and gave him a ticket . he 'd talking to my dad and a few other guests now . his head bowed as his shoulders shook . 