but i really need a toothbrush more than i do my pants now . '' she knew what the wheezing sound meant . my dad 's parents died a long time before i was born and my mother never talks about hers . '' `` wait a sec -- '' her lead fist shoots toward my face and i again move back , but not far enough this time . i started running down the trail that led away from the back door . `` you bet it 's personal , '' joe said , for once shaken out of his usual calm . 