“Tame my heartbut give me wingsso I can fly from hereto you.”

“Don't lie to me.Don't fake it.Don't touch my heart.You'll break it.”

“The funeral was held on a rainy Tuesday at the church where the Brendan family were members. The high school was excused for the day so the teachers and students could attend if they wished, and many did. Avivah's parents mourned their only child from the front pew, tears falling as steadily as the droplets outside, smattering faces as well as painted window panes.After the eulogy, a song about heaven began to play over head, and as the song played, the Brendans lit a candle by the photo of their daughter, then returned to their seats. More than a few people in attendance were found dabbing at their eyes as the song came to a close. The group of mourners made their way slowly to the cemetery and laid the girl to rest, black umbrellas dotting the vivid green of the grass, grey sky bright, despite the rainfall.”

“SilverThe liquid ebony stretches outand mingles with the midnight skywhere high above,as on a throne,is perched that perfect sphere of silver.She looks upon the lapping waves,the calm, all serene;She looks upon the rocky shore,watching dark nothing break in two and becometiny globs of light.The soft white foam creepsupon the smooth beige landto darken it but for a moment,only to retreat back to itsblackened home and hide among the vastness.The silver moon smiles openly,casting a healthy grinupon the rippled water below,sending gifts of silverto float on seas of woe.”

“I still think about the letter you asked me to write. It nags at me, even though you're gone and there's no one to give it to anymore. Sometimes I work on it in my head, trying to map out the story you asked me to tell, about everything that happened this past fall and winter. It's all still there, like a movie I can watch when I want to. Which is never.”

“I used to teach at an abused children's home. I told the kids, "You all have a manure pile of memories. Nothing you can do about that. Now you can drown in the stink or turn it into compost and grow a garden. I wouldn't't be as good a teacher to you if I didn't know what you're going through. That way, I make my memories do good instead of letting them eat me. I'm like Herbie from Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. I pulled my Bumble's teeth. He's still big and scary but he can't bite me anymore.”

“Umm…Jinx is it? I have no idea why you thought you needed protection from me before, but if you call me bitch ever again, you’ll be needing protection from me in the future because I will be shoving my foot up your skinny little ass. Comprende?”