`` in the end , rita 's death and our family 's story of loss is probably what won him the election . '' my mother saw the flashing lights as the squad car pulled into the driveway . i put my hands on my hips and sighed . it must have recently snowed , because a fresh layer of white coated the grass and trees . his eyes went soft and he touched her now-healed face , smoothing some of the sand off . march cuts me an amused look . 