my hand slid to his chest instead , feeling the muscle behind his shirt . he looks at me , almost confused , like he did n't even remember i was there . every time i 'd written to her had been to express something i could n't say to her face-something that was dear to me but i could n't get out in person . i knew it could have only been one person - my dear echo . `` does he have long black hair and a curly mustache ? '' pappy had to get his boots wet to retrieve the stick . 