she knew the book club met on the first and third wednesdays . `` curses are traditionally broken by returning the offering . '' i tilted my head back and stared at his blurry face . exhausted , i slumped against the sheets and closed my eyes . is there someone you know who has had a near death experience ? `` i 'm thinking three little birds in a nest . '' and what lovely charms they are . though , to the happiness of their parents , the boys seemed to prefer going alone with their dad . 