it was like he no longer had the strength to stand . it was n't that high of a step but i let him help me because i enjoyed when he touched me . he liked her purity of spirit . if they were certain that i was here , they 'd break in with a dozen soldiers . `` it 's the thought that counts , '' i said as i reached for ivy 's pair , jammed into her pencil cup , and scraped a new three marks into the old silver . 