too soon , she drew back and stared . you know how talented she is , and how shy . `` j.c. , '' i said instead , `` is ex-navy seal . i just kept my mouth shut and did as i was told . that did n't sit well , though , settling like expired milk in my gut . `` just to stir up the mud around us . after that , the group talked about him , as if he werent in the room . the climb up the steep stairs was a cruel torture for their aching limbs . 