cutting firewood helped this process along , but they still had to pull the stumps out of the ground . that hopeless instant when they snipped the last thread and dropped into the abyss . the peace in her gaze washed over me and i felt myself returning to normal , my previous painful moment pushed back . then : remember that beetle i showed you ? why is your damn work more important than baxter ? '' i walk to the dresser and pull open the top drawer , taking a handful of socks and underwear . 