he told me so , and as you know , he never breaks his word . '' but then his eyes hardened as he gazed at something beyond her shoulder . i need you to help me remember everything about that day . '' `` you see , '' she said , `` with the axe , it 's easier to get ahead ... ... '' he stared . at some point i lost my flip-flops . she ran her tongue along the inside of her dry mouth , wishing she could take back her words . 