jenny 's cheeks went red , as if maya had slapped them . `` do n't you realize what could have happened ? he is not ... '' i stood up , letting the blanket fall to the floor . i know that no one at home can matter too much . tender ribs caught me off guard . it was a tender subject to speak aloud about . `` they 're probably headed south even as we speak . '' `` i 'm simply asking out of personal interest . '' 