“I'll search in mythology and archeologyand in every -ology to my old name.one of the goddesses of Canaan will side with me,then swear with a flash of lightning.This is my orphan son”

“and every day I thank [God] that I am alive, not because I fear death, but because my wife has a husband and my son is not an orphan.”

“This is my first real memory of James. In every memory before that, he’s just a flash of color, a warm body with a blurred face, a comforting voice begging me not to die. When he planted himself between our father and me that day, an eight-year-old with small fists clenched at his sides, I think I fell in love with my brother.”

“Bella." He strocked my face anxiously. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here as long as you need me.""Do you swear you won't leave me?" I whispered. I tried to control the gasping, at least. My ribs were throbbing.He put his hands on either side of my face and brought his face close to mine. His eyes were wide and serious. "I swear.”

“I'll just go rub some salt in her wounds,then i think I'll run out and kick some puppies on my way to foreclosing on my quota of widows and orphans.”

“I swear...I'll deliver the message for the love of my country.”