“There was a difference, I had decided, between knowing and believing. And I wanted both.”

“I wanted the syrupy taste of this small rebellion. And this stupid machine was denying that bit of freedom to me . . . just like everyone else.”

“Shoulders slumped in defeat, I turned to walk away. The drugstore had caved under the force of my criminal will, but the Coke machine was virtuous. Inviolate.”

“I was afraid to be Outside alone, without Elijah. But, no matter what, I would have to get used to his absence. I would have to prove to him and to myself that I could.”

“I wasn't threatened by fantasy.”

“His eyes widened. "You didn't go back to town, did you?""No. I went to church.""Ah, well. That explains it," he blurted. "I mean...well...Two hours of sermons is enough to dim anyone's sparkle.”

“I was a hypocrite. When the roof came down, it was going to fall on me first.”