“This time I really am going to light the world on fire,' she said, laughing. 'I finally have a fucking match.”

“What good did it do to light the world on fire if she had to watch the glow alone?”

“Unaware of Nina, the woman paused at the riverbank and looked out over the scar on the land where the water should run. Her expression sharpened, turned desperate as she reached down to touch the child in her arms. It was a look Nina had seen in woman all over the world, especially in times of war and destruction. A bone-deep fear for her child’s future…Someday her portraits would show the world how strong and powerful women could be, as well as the personal cost of that strength…She heard Danny come up beside her. “Hey, you.”She leaned against him, feeling food about her shots. “I just love how they are with their kids, even when the odds are impossible. The only time I cry is when I see their faces with their babies. Why is that, with all we’ve seen?”“So it’s mothers you follow. I thought it was warriors.”

“Then he left her there, standing along, surrounded by word ghosts; things she could have said.”

“Hey, Meg," she said without preamble. I need you to write a letter of recommendation for me. I'm applying for grad school."Meghann screamed into the phone. "Oh, my God! I'm so proud of you. I'm hanging up now; I have to draft a letter that makes my best friend sound like da Vinci in a bra and panties.”

“It's going to be an interesting ride, seeing who they become in the next four years.Interesting for you, she said. You're in the stands, watching the game. I'm down on the field, taking the hits. I'm terrified something will go wrong.What can go wrong? They're smart, curious, loving kids. They've got everything going for them.”

“Marriages go through hard times. Sometimes you have to get in there and fight for your love. That's the only way for it to get better.”