her body felt like it was falling into a black void . they all had to tread cautiously , to be careful not to drive her away . father swung his son 's bedroom door open . past the gazelles and antelopes , which stirred as we approached . now that i 'm older , i would just assume that she was scared . his back , covered in a black leather vest , stretched over the table like an awning that could be instant shelter for anyone else . 