with one powerful stroke , shadow shot up into the air and over the treetops . i grew up in the northeast , but for as long as i can remember there 's been a certain pull about this part of the country . '' below his note , lois had added a p.s . the creaking sounded out again , near the chair , almost as though it came from the door in the wall . i doubted he knew how to survive on his own out there , away from his father . and , there would n't be any more kissing . 