no telling what was under the snow-fallen trees , tangles of brambles . dad puts his hands on my shoulders and looks me up and down . i have money saved , and i feel confident that no . she had given them plenty to cluck and whisper about over the years . i mean , what makes you think that he loves me , or that he even can ? '' to the red-white-and-blue-striped flags dangling over the bar . i kiss him all over , trying to break down his resistance . 