the wild beating of her heart was slowing-stopping- `` no ! '' it was late afternoon , and the sky was pink beneath the lowering gray clouds . `` please tell me , what 's the deal ? '' he did n't bother offering me any . amazingly , i finished the first painting of him , a record for me . thank you for your never ending support and encouragement . he gave her a kiss and then he squeezed her hand . `` that window can not stay open , '' i said , rising from the couch . 