i 'd always been made aware of the fact ( by her ) that my mother had a mission in life that was far more important than just being one boy 's mommy . `` i can talk backwards , '' he says , explaining the clutter of words that just came out of his mouth . but it seemed desperate and terrified , the sound of it chilling . the woman stared at him as they drove by . i had n't been face-to-face with her in eleven years . he 'd meant to get a haircut yesterday . 