“Sometimes men pick fights just for something to do-just to feel something like the threat of harm and the possibility of triumph.”

“People can talk tough without having to do the primitive math of violence, because they believe that law enforcement will either intervene and stop or punish an attacker.”

“Mother is a verb. It's something you do. Not just who you are.”

“I became amazed at how much my men would tolerate if someone just took the time to explain the why of it all to them.”

“I knew there was going to be pain whether I did anything wrong or not – so maybe I should do something to actually deserve it.”

“That's stupid." I stopped to look at him. "why would you want everyone assuming something that isn't true?" "Why should I care?" "So you can ask someone you're interested in to go to the dance with you," I replied, not expecting his lack of concern. "I just did.”

“My world was delicately balanced, but the scales never hung even. When something improved, something else had to crumble.”