“People need space; families need air; love needs light. Like Mrs. Anastagio always said, ―You need enough rooms to love someone properly.”

“Your life needs an airbag. I swear, Anastagio, you should have come equipped when you were born.”

“He needed me to make it okay.”

“You tell him for me: if he fucks with you, if he lays one Russian knuckle on you, your buddy is coming after him and someone's gonna need a screen door to fish out the pieces.”

“I want you to move in with me, man.""Nah. I appreciate it, but I need to get a place of my own. I'm a grownup.”

“Because people should not be punished for loving and hoping and holding their hearts open.”

“The smile on her face was almost Dante's. Tears pricked his eyes, then hers, while all those impossible things passed between them. While the truth was sending down roots and throwing out branches until it filled the silent room with impossible blossoms.I love him.”