in the low light of the afternoon with the paint on the windows that shouts all neon and bold , with the floor that is gouged and the tea kettles that screech high , with the tables that have moisture rings and notches that people trace absentmindedly with their fingers , in the midst of all this stands eddie who palms the back of his head with his right hand and says thanks mary in a voice that doesnt betray the fury and tumult in his stomach .