“Not that I was incapable of friendship. 'Don't be shy', the teachers coaxed. I was not shy, only extremely choosy. And Denise shone like a diamond. If you had to ask me to define paradise, I would have said a desert island which Denise could visit, on a boat.”

“You'll always love him" he said, as if he'd read her mind. "That doesn't die just because he did, or because you now love me. Your love for him is part of who you are. It's a beautiful part, Denise. Don't be sad of it, and I will never be jealous of it". Denise's eyes overflowed again. Spade was right.”

“My real mom died when I was born—hemorrhaged to death while giving birth tome, which has never been one of my favorite memories—and Dad married Denise before I’d turned a year. Without even asking my opinion on thematter. Denise and I never really clicked.”

“Come away with me, he said, we will live on a desert island. I said, I am a desert island. It was not what he had in mind.”

“Children ask me sometimes what book I'd take to a desert island, but I think I couldn't go to a desert island unless it had a library.”

“You eat the room service employees every time?” Denise asked, shocked. “Of course. But don’t fret on their behalf. I always tip well.”