i work so hard to keep people 's thoughts out of my mind that i have n't thought to listen in on what 's going on in alec 's head . he either had to cut back on his drinking or take the car the next time he came here . what if she was getting the flu ? he left out the embarrassing details that made me look like an emotional wreck , bless him . my father lit a fire , poured water into a pot , and placed the pot on the hook inside the hearth . 