i was pretty drunk and had lost a ton of blood ; plus it 's embarrassing . she let my arm go and muttered so softly i almost did n't hear her , `` thank you for coming home . '' the count dropped oats on to the floor again . `` this does n't have anything to do with you . '' `` um , sorry , '' she said , glancing back down at her schedule . my heart skips a beat , or three , as brooks ' words sink in . 