“Then I said it. He said it too. I love you. And everything that went before meant nothing.”

“Always before, I just said no, left it solidly there. I waver now. I want to share everything with him. Want to know what he knows, feel what he feels, share the same space he's in.”

“I told her about the man, not my daddy, she said, He was only making you into a real girl. I didn’t understand. But I made myself believe her. I was a real girl now. But what was I before?”

“Face red, but brave in spite of it, Ethan offered an even smaller box. My hands shook as i opened it.Set in a gold promise ring, three small diamonds glittered. One for you, one for me, one for us, he said sweetly. I love you.”

“Before you, I believed love was making love. Waiting only makes me love you more.”

“God is love," she said. "And he respects love, whether it's between a parents, and child, a man and woman, or friends. I don't think he cares about religion one little bit. Live your life right. Love with all your heart. Don't hurt others, and help those in need. That is all you need to know. And don't worry about heaven. If it exists, you'll be welcome.”

“So when he asked about getting high, I didn't think, I agreed. We smoked some good California green. Took three tries to put me in the place he said I should be.”