dinner was hot dogs over the campfire and potato chips . `` sounds like you have trust issues . '' one elbow was darker than the other . `` these are the ones you especially have to watch , '' he warned , nodding toward us . `` he said the mission was mine because i 'm an elf . '' once i start crying i ca n't stop , and all the way home i have to keep mashing my palm into my eyes every few seconds , smearing away the tears just so i can see where i 'm going . 