“Captain looks at Janie closely. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph," she says. "You're gonna have a heck of a shiner by the time the day's over. Did you black our?""I...uh..." Janie shrugs. "I really have no idea.""Yes, I think she did." Cabel cuts in. "I'm going to need to watch her all day. And probably all night, too," he adds. Very, very seriously.The captain throws a rubber eraser at him and sends him out for coffee.”

“Janie: Did you ever sell drugs?Cabel: Yes. Pot. Ninth and tenth grade. I was, uh...rather troubled back then.Janie: Why did you stop?Cabel: Got busted, and Captain made me a better deal. Janie: So you've been a narc since then? Cabel: I cringe at your terminology.”

“Do you think Cabel knows?"Have you thought about asking him?"Janie glances up to read her face. Bites her quivering lip to still it. "We're not exactly on speaking terms right now."Captain sighs. "I gathered that." Carefully she says, "Cabel has his own demons and if he doesn't get on with killing them soon, I'm going to kick his ass...”

“Cabel smiles and hangs up. "Guess what."What," Janie says.We can go out on our first date."Woo hoo!"And guess what else- You're buying."Me? Why?"Because you lost the bet."Janie thinks for a moment. Punches Cabel in the arm. "You did not fail five quizzes or tests!"I did. I have proof.”

“Janie calls Cabel."Hi, uh, Mom," she says.Cabel snorts. "Hello, dear. Did you make it through the blizzard?""Yeah. Barely." Janie grins into the phone.”

“Cabel regards Janie and sighs. 'I know you can handle it, Janie. You're such a damn martyr. It's tiring, really, having this same argument with you every time you've got shit happening. Just let it go. I'm not leaving.' He smiles faux-diplomatically.”