“Another long run, hoping to put distance between me and everything else. The farther, the better. Only problem is, the distance is just temporary, because no matter how far I go, I always have to come back.”

“Running doesn't just make me happy. Running keeps me alive. When I'm running-the blood pumping through my veins, the tunes playing in my ears, the muscles tightening on the inclines- the problems of the world disappear. It's just me, the sidewalk, and God.”

“It brings me back to the moment, and I want to livethe moment with everything I’ve got.”

“People always saychocolate makeseverything better.I say friends make everything better.”

“Cade motions with a nod to follow him. He's holding the pole, and I'm the fish on the line. Just how far will he pull me in?”

“Was it hard?” I ask.“Letting go?”“Not as hard as holding on to something thatwasn’t real.”I gulp. “Can I ask how you did it?”“I just decided, Ava.That’s all.I just decided.”

“What I believe is that lifeis music and fabulous foliage,but it's also cancer and wars. That's just how it is. Maybe God could do better. But shit, so could we. ”