they retrieved a simple wooden table and two sturdy beach chairs from within the tent . `` a businessman like you should know , '' i said , arching my eyebrow , while the sensible part of my brain raced to catch up with whatever the hell i was doing . the man kept his arms folded and said nothing . `` i almost did , '' he stroked my hair . she wore only her hospital gown . he wondered if it had gotten quiet at the factory the day bobby lost his arm . she had never truly wanted to die . 