the air here smells clean , a complete contrast to the smell of pollution and pee in new york . her dirty fingernails dug into my skin . her dad shook his head , as if coming out of a trance . i shivered a bit , she reminded me of my first grade teacher - the one who would n't let me go out to recess . it could get you in trouble . '' with those words , i stepped outside and shut the door behind me . 