even in the library , sitting in one of my all-time favorite window seats with the heavy velvet curtains drawn around me , it still seemed like i was a long , long way from home . i do n't care if it was a year ago . jack stared at the simple card in his hand as his friends , sister and mother stared at him . im ready , she says as she crawls into bed . i turn my back on her and act busy at the sink so that i 'm not tempted to respond . 