at the time , i thought that i was hiding it well , but now i had to ask myself whether or not i really had . now , if you stay your hand , you win the greatest victory . she hit the play button and listened to the first and only message . i 'd been a vampire for less than three months . that meant he 'd not had a woman in six weeks . there were only gray streaks , like streaks of dust on laura , s white gown . this is the united states , right ? '' 