“I'm a kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy.”

“I am a kind of paranoid in reverse. I suspect people of trying to make me happy”

“If or when I do start going to an analyst, I hope to God he has the foresight to let a dermatologist sit in on the consultation. A hand specialist. I have scars on my hands from touching certain people... Certain heads, certain colours and textures of human hair leave permanent marks on me. Other things, too. Charlotte once ran away from me, outside the studio, and I grabbed her dress to stop her, to keep her near me. A yellow cotton dress I loved because it was too long for her. I still have a lemon-yellow mark on the palm of my right hand. Oh God, if I'm anything by a clincal name, I'm a kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy.”

“I am a kind of paranoid in reverse. I suspect people of having good intentions.”

“It is their character indeed that makes people who they are. But it is by reason of their actions that they are happy or the reverse.”

“It's kind of a dark little life . . . being a paranoiac, but it's also not without its comforts.”