how old were they , how many of them were there ? his mother was going to have a fit . `` it 's an offer he wo n't turn down . '' why the f**k had n't he nipped this worship in the bud earlier ? super-duper , one-hundred-percent gay ! '' did n't want to be part of something small and second-rate . the thought snatched my breath from me . i was thirty-five and i had lived a careful , quiet , risk-free life . 