i pointed toward the kitchen and then watched as he set the bag hed been holding on the counter . i let the words trail in the wind and glare at the ocean . as he stood , he adjusted his glasses with his free hand and then gave her a sharp nod . she could make out what the closer ones were whispering to one another . he ran his tongue along the outline of her ear . `` she 's the tenth child , '' he says . he was dead and i was here . 