i do n't guess i can count on you being there at al , huh ? '' i demanded , wondering if meeting jack had been a bad idea . what replaced it was a dull pulse of anger . i cant make it out - the noise from the main road drowns everything out . when she wobbled , she popped her eyes back open and made a sound of distress . i'l meet you there when you get back . '' i turn to the pool and step gingerly onto the first step in the shallow end . 