he was hard where it counted , yes , but also where it did n't , his muscles petrified into stone . marlin stopped laughing once he realized the truth of alexs words . mentally , that might be another story . what would they do if they knew they had an audience ? i think she believed it might be a clue for me to follow . i was afraid i might have to spend another night out in the open . no , youre just too scared of growing up ! she said , my father called you his friend . 