“I asked her about life, and it was as if she rummaged around in a dusty chest to get me the answers.”

“All I could do is lie there and think about how much her voice changed when she asked me if she was pretty, and how much she changed when I answered.”

“Reesee answered my cell?” Dusty was silent. “Dusty,” he called. “My daughter answered your cell?”“If I say yes, are you gonna get pissed at your girl?”“Uh… yeah.”“Then I decline to answer.”Fuck.”

“Meg forgot about cautioning him to be quiet. She forgot about everything but watching the care with which he wrapped a blanket around Mama Warner before gingerly lifting her into his arms and cradling her against his chest."Comfortable?" he asked."You know how to hold a woman so she feels precious. Makes me wish I was sixty years younger.”

“She couldn't breath around the pain in her chest. "Tell me I'm the only one.”

“Off I go, rummaging about in books for sayings which please me.”