it brought too much comfort , too much of an ache in her chest . `` be a good girl and listen to your mother , '' hank told me , flashing a perfectly straight , perfectly white smile . but she was gone , no doubt down at the creek bathing without her faithful lookout . they were probably celebrating their victory somewhere . someone yelled and another was already dialing . they obeyed instantly , their features crumbling in a pout . she 'd left me in an empty field . didnt you say he did not keep his last appointment ? '' 