`` you should n't have to keep protecting me , '' she said . or , you could just take me home . he is falling toward a boiling red-black pit of fire . she could take exception to my change . a large pear-shaped man stood on the porch peering down at him , his body covered by blue jean overalls and dingy white t-shirt . im telling you , she went on . i have a generator , but it died this morning . he stared at me with empty eyes . 