`` of course you 'd look even better if you lost ten pounds , '' her daughter said thoughtfully . she needed someone to pay attention to her . she tucked her goggles inside her helmet and started toward the bar . the answering machine tape cut her off . `` would you drive my car to the paint shop ? '' i felt them , i sang them for him . signs on the walls behind them announced prices and information about special orders . he scratched at his ear for a few seconds before he fixed his gaze on me . 