cheese looked over his shoulder desperately , then at the walls holding him in , the thick glass between us . `` i do n't think there was any hope of that . being at roof level would take him out of range of most of their fixed positions . and so she did , as well , grandma did . but there was something comforting about coming home with someone there . why would anyone be laughing while they 're getting done like that ? '' in an effort to bring back his smile , she placed her hand on his thigh . 