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

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

“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. ”

“i did what heartbroken, lost soldiers have done for centuries. I made my way home to my mother."- Richard Von Schaumburg”

“You are the expert of your child, no one else is.”

“I clutch to William’s hand. “I can do this.” He nods and pulls me tight into his arms. “I know you can. I believe in you.” I hug him tightly. I don’t want to lose this … I don’t want this to change anything; I still want to love this man when this is over. “Take care of the others.” He whispers in my ear. “I will.” He picks me up and kisses me, deeply and desperately, for a long time. When we finally release our lip lock, we’re both in tears. His voice is barely a whisper. “I love you, Alanna.” I stroke his cheek. “I love you.” It’s the first time we’ve both said it out loud at the same time. Something about that makes me feel very hopeful, despite the circumstances.”

“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.”