“No one puts his hand on my boy. Not like that. Get me?”

“I put my forehead on his collarbone, place one hand on his chest. Its rhythm reassures me: He is real, and he is now.”

“Sadie, please, come talk to me.” “I need to get to work.” He reached out for my hand, and I immediately snatched it back and pocketed both of my hands. “Sadie, please.” I hated the insecure, little boy I saw in his eyes and the fact it got to me. Dang it.”

“I could hardly get a boy to look at me. All right, they'd look, they'd even take me out, but no one asked for a second date. I was too nasty, a real wise guy, and all the boys could tell what my rotten disposition was. Deep down, I wanted a commitment with a capital C. To get anywhere with me, a boy would have to sign his undying loyalty with his own blood.”

“No one but me ever put a hand on me to feel that baby. No one wanted to put his ear against it and listen...You shouldn't have a baby if there's no one who wants to feel it kick or listen to it move.”

“Me: “Ngh”Cal: “Well put.”...... Every Boy's Got One”