`` it 's selfish , i know , but i keep thinking 'it 's over now . ' `` well , i mean , i took a little something , em . the figure rose from the chair and whirled around . concern abandoned his features , and he gave her a warm smile of appreciation as he started toward her , but then his gaze dropped to her hand , and he slowed until he stood completely still . `` the last time i hugged him was when he graduated from high school . it would be so easy to remove them . 