he does n't answer immediately but i can tell he 's thinking it over . i 'm trying to make the best of a bad situation and you 'd better , too . youve been a wonderful support for all of us . grand canyon , painted desert , all over . then he looked to the alarm clock . he revealed none of that pressure in his calm mien . `` the other half of the equation being punishment ? '' she asked , walking forward to sit next to him . i opened the car door and slid in behind the wheel . 