his gaze shifted off to the right and he petted her hair in a long slow sweep that traveled over her shoulder and down her arm . he put an arm around my waist . it was a statement , an announcement of something he meant to do . this was the countryside , after all . you can help by staying safe , he said . does she even hear the order i put that all in ? `` this will help if you need something to hold on to . '' she considered telling her mother the punch bowl was n't there . 