he plucked a couple of handfuls , squashed them together , and started smearing the juice on his body where the skunk had peed on him , letting the juice soak into the mud . his chest was solid beneath her hand , slightly cooler under his shirt . he smiles at me before he answers . becoming quite serious , she stopped hopping and just walked . i wash my hands before shuffling back away , startled by the sound of the voice as soon as i step into the room . 