another person 's opinion might help her sort some of this out . i just wanted the earth to open and swallow me whole . i spotted the waitress and lifted my glass . the chair next to cord 's squeaked as a big body flopped beside him . how much can we pretend not to know ? buttercup scowled , backing away from the edge of the water to avoid getting splashed . he was above such nonsense as all this . `` my god , rio ... it 's a miracle you 're standing here with me at all . '' 