“Geeky people often have. . . . a mind with its own heartbeat.”

“Not that there’s anything wrong with geeky," Link says before Dad has a chance to. Geeky is one of Dad’s favorite words, and I listen with glee to my brother’s imitation of our father: "Geeky people often have that which is most valuable in this life." Link pauses here for effect, so that James and I can join in, shouting Dad’s favorite phrase, "A mind with its own heartbeat.”

“People with the smallest minds often have the biggest mouths.”

“I have people in my life, of course. Some write; some don't. Some read; some don't. Some stare vacantly into space when I talk the geeky talk and walk the geeky walk, but they make killer chocolate chip pancakes and so all is forgiven.”

“A heartbeat without anything to supportA body that fears its own warmthYou who hates their own reflectionAre you unable to face forward anymore?”

“There’s no conscious thing on the face of the world that doesn’t know dread more intimately than its own heartbeat.”