but before he could start walking , a mass of birds swooped down upon him . `` i have n't seen you in days , '' i say . i recognize each building we pass as one i walked by every time i missed the bus home from school . second i could n't be goaded into arguing with her . she studies the toy another moment before returning it to the shelf . he climbs up onto the bed , kneeling at my side , his breath still playing across me . 