“All of that work and all of that time just for nothing, and maybe that's how things have to be sometimes.”

“I'm not that. You of all people should know that. You should know that I would only destroy those good things about her. "Or maybe you're just scared," she says.”

“You don't confront people about things that are out of your control. You bury it inside and you move the fuck on. That's how you deal with shit. It makes you stronger. That's why I'm not weak like my mother. Laura."What?"We're all fucking weak.”

“On the one hand I think he's a stupid,conceited prick, unrelenting in his disdain for anyone who dares to challenge him. Completely and totally selfish. But on the other hand he does seem to care about some things. He seems to be somewhat understanding, out to make sure that everyone's having a good time. He's confident, not cocky, and there's a difference. It seems like he has these masks he puts on, then changes them in an instant. Part of me thinks it's just maybe who he is, this sociopath who can turn on a dime. But then another part of me wonders if maybe it's all just a game, like a real-life play where he changes his part whenever he sees fit. Some big-time plan to keep people from ever getting too close, or wanting to get close. That everything in front of him is just one big fucking game.”

“You do the shittiest things to the people you love the most. That's just the way it is. You always hurt the people you care about the most.”

“That's how this world works. To get a lot, you have to at least give a little. You have to make a concentrated effort to let it be known that you'll do whatever it takes to get ahead."Pause.My father takes a drink from his beer while I stare at him. Smirking, continuing, he says, "Once you accept this fact of life, you'll be able to do whatever you want to do and have anything you want to have.”

“I'm afraid to.Claire moves the pillow to her side of the bed. "Afraid to do what?"To sleep. I'm afraid that if I fall asleep, I'll lose this feeling. I'll start dreaming and everything good that's just happened will mean nothing.”