“What are you wishing for?' Grace interrupted. 'To kiss you,' I said to her.”

“What were you thinking about? When I came in?""Being Sam," I said."What a nice thing to be," Grace said. And then she smiled, bigger and bigger, until I felt my expression mirror hers, our noses touching.”

“Cole made a hissing sound. "Are you inside yet? God bless America and all her sons. What is taking you so long?" The front door was locked. "Here, talk to Grace" "Mommy isn't going to give a different answer than Daddy," Cole said, but I handed her the phone anyway.”

“Grace,” I said, very softly. “Say something.”Sam,” she said, and I crushed her to me.”

“Because I knew it wasn't for forever." Grace touched his hair and he bent his head to kiss her, quiet as a secret.”

“Shouldn't you be looking at other cars? You know, car shopping usually involves ... shopping.""I don't shop very well", Grace said. "I just see what I need and get it.”

“Grace," I said, my vision swirling now because of her blood smeared across my wrists, "Can you hear me?" She nodded then stumbled to her knees. I knelt beside her; her eyes were huge and afraid and my heart was breaking. "I'll come find you, I said. "I promise I'll come find you. Don't forget me. Don't-don't lose yourself.”