“I imagine giving someone such a gift and then having it returned. Parents are always giving things that are not taken.”

“Parents are always giving things that are not taken”

“This is a cruel thing to do because when someone knows your story they know you. And they can hurt you. It's why I give mine away in pieces, even to Cassia.”

“Ky gives me three gifts for my birthday. A poem, a kiss and the hopeless, beautiful belief that things might work. When I open my eyes... I say, "I didn't give you anything for your birthday, i don't even know when it is." And he says, "Don't worry about that" and I say, "What can I do?" and he answers, "Let me believe in this, all of this, and you believe it too."And I do.”

“Every minute you spend with someone gives them a part of your life and takes part of theirs.”

“I can trust in my parents' love. And it strikes me that is a big thing to trust, a big thing to have had, no matter what else happens.”

“I wonder if I will ever have the strength to hold onto something. Or if I will always be someone who destroys.”