“I wondered if I was an error of God's planning that would be fixed at the end of my life.”

“Dad,Please accept this money to fix the broken window. I’m sure it’s already fixed, considering Lydia’s house pride and her phobia about unconditioned air, butDear Al,I can’t begin to explain my actions at Lydia’s – I mean yours and Lydia’s house. When I get to Charleston, I never imagined that you would haveDear Dad and Lydia,I apologize to both of you for my irrational behavior. I know it’s all my fault, but if you would have listened to ONE THING I had to say, I might not haveDear Dad’s new family,I hope you’ll all be very happy being blond together. May people speak only in inside voices for the rest of your lives.P.S. Lydia, you wedding dress makes your arms look fat.”

“Every life I start with her, my original sin. I know myself through her.”

“If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life.”

“Carma,Here are the Pants and a little sketch I made of Leo. From memory, not from life. (And no, I'm not thinging of him day and night. God.)Funny hair, huh?He did not realize I was in his class. I think I'm making a big impression around here.Love you,Len”

“All the things she planned to feel, the way she planned to look and seem, the appropriate things she planned to say. None of them came to pass.”

“Because they forgot and I remembered. They would be lost soon enough, and I would keep going. The best I could do was hold on to them after they forgot themselves.”