“My mom could be really fierce. A regular Frau Badass.”

“In a lot of ways, Mom is kind of badass.”

“It wasn't badass. I don't really do badass.”

“Mom actually said that?" Cassie's face shown with happiness. "She always hated my math!""Nah," Martin said. "She was just being that way for you. She thought it was what you needed to hear. If parents told us what they really think about stuff, we could figure them out like regular people.”

“What did you think was going to ensue when you chose Hagan's big ass to train me? That guy is wicked fierce and a total badass.”

“Dear Blubbo, How is it going? It is fine here. My sisters are fine. Mom is usual. Everything is regular in life except I am still seeing the burning skull heads. Yesterday Mom took me to Sears for school clothes. I told my sisters I could see the people's head bones. They said DO NOT tell Mom. A guy moved a trailer onto the empty lot by our house. His skull is spectacular, many colors glowing.”