my fingers twisted through long blonde strands of her hair as my mind drifted for a moment , convinced this was only a dream . by driving , i was a few minutes late , which was a good thing . of course you are , she said . and dad , '' i pause , not sure how to say what else it is i want to say . `` i 'm not sure ... '' `` i promise to return it . '' she was , but i could n't tell him that . 