i cried out and put my hands over my face waiting for the next blow . there was a stretch of silence between us , dan looking straight at me . that girl who never got her homework done ? she looked up toward the table above . i needed a moment to catch my breath . the three guns landed near the three guys and they all got up on their hands and knees and started to crawl toward them . ahead of her on his drivers seat sat elvis mel bouncing happily and grinning with pride . 