and when she had beaten me , he had stopped her when he 'd caught her . his arms relaxed as he brushed his lips against her temple . something dies inside me , but i keep the image of my mother in my mind , and my voice is clear and strong . she had a picnic with them in the living room . `` as i said , dad , it 's good to be prepared . '' jennifer watched his jaw tighten as he ground down on his teeth . reaching the piece of art , painter knelt beside it . 