“Lately, when asked, I have tended to say that I'm Mexican. I like the word because it still makes so many people flinch.”

“Mother, father, there is no passing the cup. I want to be a troublemaker when I grow up.”

“No one lacks voice. Not even the dead. But many lack ears, the ability to hear those stories out of which the most destitute of people are forging their destines, breathing life into bleached bones. ”

“How about I give you a hin instead?""Sure. I'm sure a hint's all I need anyway.""You think you're pretty smart then?" he said, his voice somewhere between playful and cocky."I only have to be smarter than you think I am, right?""...well now I'm in a position where I have to make it impossibly hard if I don't want to insult you. That wasn't smart at all.""Oh, wow, just give me the hint already.”

“I like the scars because I like the stories. Bravery, stupidity, pain—none of them come free.”

“That's to British," I countered."What is?""Making sweeping generalizations about Americans because that makes you feel better about having a national inferiority complex the size of the Atlantic Ocean. I was just trying to be helpful, but if folding your pizza threatens you sense of patriotism, you probably shouldn't do it.”

“I wouldn’ t change anything…absolutely anything!” J.R. says. “I do believe everything happens for a reason, and I’m extremely grateful for that day because it led me into this life!”