“Make me proud my little first-grader" he said, fist pumping robbie "and, remember rule number one above all""Right" he replies "don't talk politics”

“Make me proud today, Robmeister. Keep your hands to yourself and remember rule number one above all things.''Don't discuss politics.''No, the other one.'Robbie nods. 'Don't eat glue.' He drops his chin. 'It's my weakness.”

“The least you could do is offer a little conversation.” Beckett dodged a pothole, keeping his eyes on the road.“You want me to talk?”“It would be the polite thing to do.”“Okay. Let’s talk.”“Any topic will be fine.”“I’m going to sit here and silently think of one. Might take a while.”

“If I'm going to be your bloomin' tour guide, I'm gong to do it right." He held out his hand."Do you think I'd take you somewhere dangerous?""You bite people for a living.""Don't be a chicken.""If you push me over the edge, my parents will be seriously ticked."He grabbed my hand and pulled me along. "They'll probably send me a thank-you note.”

“Budge and I were sworn enemies from day one. But ever since the day I lifted the lid on the craziness that killed his best friend last fall, Budge has been extremely nice to me. We talk all the time. Like last week he said, "Hey, moron, can you pass the milk?" That's some good progress.”

“Finley, would you get Beckett something to drink, please?” Beckett caught my less-than-pleasant expression.“Water will be fine. Not too much ice. Add a slice of lemon.” He reached for my hand and electric currents blazed up my arm. “And don’t spit in it.”“That’s a lot to remember. You’ll understand if I forget at least one of those commands.”

“You can't walk on water holding all that weight, it just makes you sink right down. Let it go.”