it 's about one step above a potluck ! emma could barely say the words aloud . he said he would be here , and he has to come . well see you a bit later , replied dad . joey 's mouth dropped open , snapped closed , and then he reached for his phone . `` anyway , i wanted to see how ice was doing . '' he could just make out the pale pool of her face . he caught her hand in his . god drown the lot of them . it just sounded funny to me . '' 