its crystal walls were set with tall glass windows , oval and stained with pale hues , the colors swirling together . and maybe i was ; but the truth was , this dessert should n't be rushed . `` let 's spread it out over there , '' i said , tipping my head toward the desk . so get over there and look at it . that did n't make me feel any better , because i knew i had a reason to be worried . 