“Love was something that sat comfortably in her dreams, so she never fully expected it to materialize.”

“She sat on the stoop alone, gazing up at an infinite sky as it held her and pushed her away all at once.”

“She looked over at her grandmother, smiling in her sleep from what she hoped was a dream about George Bailey and the angel that would eventually save him.”

“At a time when Parker might have craved the comfort of certainty, she instead held tight to her wavering thoughts; To the gravity and thrill of a new adventure; To the promise of everything and nothing all at once.”

“She smiled, not because she felt confident that she could think of a solution, but for the gratitude that she wasn’t quite so alone in her pursuit.”

“Parker sat on the opposite end of the couch, distracted by thoughts of the coming year and all the secrets it kept from her.”

“She kept public radio on so it sounded like someone was sitting next to her, engaging her in intriguing conversation.”