she wanted to fall through the floor . a barbed wire fence stretched for miles around the property , and a metal gate blocked their path . it felt like her eyes were piercing his back and watching every move that he made . i looked to my mother for an answer . `` forgive me for asking , '' she said , sounding both embarrassed and nervous , `` but would you consider living together ? '' instantly i looked back down at my lunch box , was he just been nice to me ? 