at first , mother said , i was like you are now , scared that hours were disappearing , terrified to find a piece of paper in my hands with odd words and odd handwriting , but then i listened . 'do n't talk to me about the guy down the street , pretending you 're like everyone else . ' i opened my mouth to ask her , but she nodded before i could ask it . the caring and trust she gave him was not complete . the first half was a good contest , evenly fought all the way . 