“It had never occurred to me that I could do something without permission. 'May I' was a way of life for a girl like me.”

“It had never occurred to me that I could lose Amy twice, but that's what it felt like. It felt like I was losing her all over again.”

“With Catty and Patrick's images in he side mirror waving from the steps of that house like Jethro and Ellie Mae, it occurred to me that something extraordinary had happened. I had effortlessly found a place of acceptance -- a place where people had taken me for me, not for what I could give them -- and I had left it.”

“It occurred to me that I was unhappy. And it didn’t feel so very terrible. No urgency, nothing. I could slip out of my life on a slow wave like this—it didn’t matter. I don’t have to be happy. All I have to do is hold on to something and wait.”

“Listen to me. They may control what you do, but no one can pee on your soul without your permission.”

“You ran into my life, this beautiful, amazing girl who changed everything. I finally saw what my world could be. What being normal and happy could look like. You’ve given me everything I never thought I could have! It scares to me think of life without you. Of not seeing your smile or hearing your voice.”