“I know. You can be fine, and then,out of nowhere,a memory blindsides you.”

“What's your favorite movie?...that should be our question. When we don't know what to say. Movies are a safe topic. What's wrong with the standard 'how's it going?' because all you get is 'Okay' or 'Fine', and then what? You're back where you started. It's a useless question. Like anyone is going to tell you how it's really going.”

“The more you can share,the less lost you feel. ”

“When he opens the door, I step in and an army of memories comes at me from all sides.”

“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.”

“I like the memories because they remind meI haven't always beenthis girl,constantly mad or scaredor confused.”

“I journeyed to a place where it's always raining cupcakes. I didn't need a passport, but I met a lot of interesting people and experienced new things. Even though the trip was a little bumpy, I got there just fine.”