it was the first physical contact we 'd had so far that night . she was n't sure how either meeting was going to go , but she was sure neither would benefit from an audience . i changed the window to look at another brochure . and a trip to the dentist for you . voices muffled by his exhaustion , hands clutched , tugging the rope , pulling him through the tunnel 's mouth where he dropped his head down to the earth as if in prayer . she sat down next to me as if she needed to feel better too . 