“Shame is always easier to handle if you have someone to share it with.”

“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can't survive.”

“Sharing your secret with someone means you involve them in your problems. It may make things easier for you, but your family could end up suffering for it too.”

“The hardest thing in the world is believing someone can change. It's always easier to go along with the way things are than to admit that you might have been wrong in the first place.”

“I know how you feel," I said. "You run into something you totally don't get, and it's scary as hell. But once you learn something about it, it gets easier to handle. Knowledge counters fear. It always has.”

“But there are only so many times you can handle heartbreak with someone before you have to start protecting yourself.”