“I'm getting a girlfriend soon," said Michael in a serious tone, and everyone laughed."You've got plenty of time for that, kiddo," said his father. "No need to rush.""Well, I don't want a boyfriend, Daddy," said Madeline. "Boys are dirty, and they make a mess when they eat.""I'd imagine the six-year-old ones would." Xavier chuckled. "But don't worry, they get better at it.”

“I've never been on a date before," Isabella said to Mary as she got ready that night. "You've been on plenty of dates," Mary said. "No," Isabella said. "I've been out to eat with boys who were my boyfriend, but that's not dating. That's just parelle eating.”

“I want everyone to get plenty of rest tonight, because tomorrow, we make plans to bury the new council chair. And don't worry about the shovel shortage," I said, glancing from face to determined face. "Because Calvin Malone has dug his own grave.”

“Nic's going to be an old maid," Michael said, giggling."What?" she snapped. "How do you even know what that means? You're like, four years old.""Mommy said it," Michael answered. Bernie coughed, nearly choking on her food as Peter and Xavier laughed into their napkins.”

“I got an A on the third quiz in American history, an A, dammit. Last time I got a Bup from a Cand my father said,"if you can get a Cyou can get a B,if you can get a Byou can get an A."-I got an Aand my father said,"grades don't mean anything.”

“One day I told him about the boys of the neighborhood, about their mocking.He said, "That's because they don't understand.""They should understand, I said. I didn't want to cry, but I was crying."If your mother had diabetes, what would they say?""I don't know.""This is like diabetes. She's not well. That's all."Was that what he told himself? That she was not well? That she might get better? I don't know.”