“I wonder how much shame people can hold before they ignite.”

“Sometimes a moment defines you, defines how people see you for the rest of your life. You can accept it or fight it. If you're lucky, you'll recognize the moment when it happens.”

“I’m two hours late when I pull in to the driveway. It won’t matter that I’m always on time. People never see how good you are. Fuck up once, and it’s like you are wearing a neon sign.”

“We talk later,” he demands. “Or now, with everyone listening.”“Go to hell,” I say. It worked before, but not this time.His voice soft, he asks, “Aren’t we already there, Q?”

“I've learned that things can always suck worse than they did five minutes ago.”

“That’s war, kid. You can hate the guy next to you, but he’s always got your back.”

“His laugh sands the rough edge inside me, and I smile.”