`` i 'm told they hurt and you wo n't be able to touch them . otherwise , you will never let anyone love you . '' i then told of the mother ship and the five cutouts . he forced a brave smile , but his hands were digging into the bark behind him . how she hoped now that he would just leave and yet at the same time she knew she herself could not . maybe i was doing the right thing with her if she could remember even that much . did he think she was some kind of dog ? 