the bull had caught scent of a familiar but disturbing smell in the river . `` any time , '' she said , taking his hand and squeezing it with both of hers . when i recognized the number , i sank onto the bed and swallowed hard . weak as she was these days , it made more sense for mary jo to go home with grace . bring whiskey and water , lilacs and worms . 'it 's a pretty stupid joke , ' she muttered . 