“On those trains you’ll be taking across Europe. A book light always comes inhandy.”

“You’re in Europe. You’re young. Young people have been going to Europe on a shoestring for a hundred years.”

“Book light,” Grandma grumbles as I hurry her away from Dad’s boss and his wife. “Who the hell wantsa book light?”“Lots of people,” I say. “They are very handy things to have.”

“As if I would EVER give birth. I suppose a well-mannered little six-year-old would be all right, but they simply don’t COME that way. You have to TRAIN them. Too tiresome. I can understand your anguish.”

“Why had I taken all those useless classes like bio and German when I should have been taking lipreading?”

“See? Anger can be healthy. When the time comes–and it will come–remember that. And what I said. Embrace your powers–love yourself the way Nature made you, and you will prevail. Always.”

“I hope you’re not planning on kicking me,” he said,not even bothering to look up from his book, “as hardas you did those doors.”“I will,” I said, “if the next words out of your mouthare Pierce, you just need to relax.”