“The cavalry ain't coming. You have to do it yourself.”

“The cavalry ain't coming. You've got to do this yourself.”

“Do not ask questions until you have trained yourself not to know the answers.”

“I'm here to tell you, there ain't much forgiveness in that old-time religion. That particular savior was a mean son of a bitch. If you sinned, honey, he was going to get you, no doubt about it.”

“If you don't have answers to your problems after a four-hour run, you ain't getting them.”

“Others may question your credentials, your papers, your degrees. Others may look for all kinds of ways to diminish your worth. But what is inside you no one can take from you or tarnish. This is your worth, who you really are, your degree that can go with you wherever you go, that you bring with you the moment you come into a room, that can't be manipulated or shaken. Without that sense of self, no amount of paper, no pedigree, and no credentials can make you legit. No matter what, you have to feel legit inside first.”

“Go fuck yourself," I replied, always the lady. "I'm staying here.”