laughing around mouthfuls of water , she beat at his shoulders . `` is that why you helped her ? '' to stem the tears that insisted on filling her eyes , she reflected that she needed to eat fast , before more people wanted to greet her with hugs . he was going to come , he was ready , and they 'd barely started . even with the power of five she does not have the power to stay my hand . i leaned forward to get a better look at her . 