then another shift in the wind , and he was back on the sofa , dead to the world . jimmy leaned back in his chair . he would spend however long was necessary , holding her until it was safe enough to move her . his shirt was white and his tie was a conservative navy , green , and gold stripe . `` did you get a chance to talk to him afterwards , before he died ? '' i wondered when i 'd started thinking of it that way . `` this is not what i joined to experience . '' 