`` up you go , catnip , '' he says , in a voice he 's fighting to keep steady , and then he carries prim off toward my mother . when she finished , they sat in silence for a few moments , both of them looking off into the distance . she said people listen to you . '' heart pounding , willow wrapped her arms around his neck and stepped into him , slowly massaging the nape of his neck and smiling at him . i had no idea how hard that would be for you . 