“It doesn't matter how long it takes." She thought of him, of them, the lifetime already shared. "It's how long it lasts.”

“It doesn't matter, that's the point. It doesn't matter that things don't always work exactly the way you thought they should. Moments matter. People matter, how they feel, how they connect. Who they are alone and together. All that matters, no matter how quickly the moment passes. Maybe because it passes.”

“I don’t think you ever learn everything about anyone, no matter how long you know them, or how well. There’s always another pocket somewhere.”

“How long are you staying?"This time she did laugh. "Always gracious.A few days," she told him. "No more than a week.No,please." She held up her hand, palm up. "Don't beg me to extend my visit; I simply can't stay any longer." She knew he would scowl and swear and open his house to her for as long as she needed.He finished off the last of his eggs. "Okay, you can drive into town for supplies while you're here.""Always happy to be of service," Shelby muttered. "How do you manage to get every major newspaper in the country delivered out here?""I pay for it," he said simply. "They think I'm odd.""You are odd.”

“I thought it was just a longing for you, and that would be enough for both of us. I do long for you, but it's not enough and it's not all. Oh, this is where I want t be.”

“Hello,Dad.""Well,well,well, so you're still alive." The booming, full-bodied voice was not so subtly laced with sarcasm. "Your mother and I thought you'd met with some fatal accident."Alan managed to keep the grin out of his voice. "I nicked myself shaving last week.How are you?""He asks how I am!" Daniel heaved a sigh that should have been patended for long-suffering fathers everywhere. "I wonder you even remember who I am. But that's all right-it doesn't matter about me.Your mother, now, she's been expecting her son to call. Her firstborn."Alan leaned back.How often had he cursed fate for making him the eldest and giving his father that neat little phrase to needle him with? Of course, he remembered philosophically, Daniel had phrases for Rena and Caine as well-the only daughter,the youngest son.It was all relative.”

“Memories are nice little possessions. As long as you don't ignore the present when you take them out to play.”