in a second-story window , someone pulled a thin white curtain back . his foot is resting on the dash and he 's stiff against the seat with his arms folded across his chest . the two descended a tall flight of stairs , slowly and cautiously , to the bottom , several floors below . well i am glad you 're home . she turned back to him , her touch gentle as she placed both hands over the wound . my husband never put his mother through what billy did to me . 