“I steeled myself for the next response. I knew it was going to be one of the Zen life lessons. [...]Instead he kissed me.”

“Do not do that again," he said stiffly."Don't kiss me back then," I retorted.He stared at me for what seemed like forever. "I don't give 'Zen lessons' to hear myself talk. I don't give them because you're another student. I'm doing this to teach you control.""You're doing a great job," I said bitterly.”

“Elena's lesson is not one of death and cancer; instead it is one of hope and life. She taught me how to live, how to love, and how to laugh. I will never forget that lesson.”

“I got hard and he was there and the next thing I knew he was on his knees. I mean, I was going to step away, but he licked me.”

“What made me love freedom so much, forgive myself finally for one life and one death? But I knew. I knew it was you.”

“I steeled myself to focus only on the present yet remain alert to what might come next.”