“Something in her is still drowning a little from loss.”

“He unknowingly throws me a lifeline with those words. I am not drowning in worry anymore. I am neck deep and it still washes over me in cold waves, but now I can breathe.”

“Because I feel no anger toward my mother. Only loss, and loss is a feeling you can’t fight your way out of as easily.”

“You're not coming with us," I say, realizing."If things were different, I would," Indie says, and when she looks at me, it's hard to hold her honest, longing gaze. "But they aren't. And I still have flying to do." And then, fast, like a fish or a bird, she disappears from the entrance to the hold. No one can catch Indie when it's time for her to move.”

“I don't fool myself that I hold her together—she does that on her own—but holding her keeps me from flying apart.”

“Cassia and I sit as near to each other as we can. She leans into me and I keep my arms around her. I don't fool myself that I hold her together- she does that on her own- but holding her keeps me from flying apart.”

“They both have in common their conviction that they are still learning, still growing, when in fact they have long ago lost that ability.”