“Unfortunately, I can’t run from my heart. It hurts, deep inside my body. And I know I’ll never be the same.”

“I wish my life was a John Grisham novel. His heroes always seem to be one step away from death but come up with a brilliant plan. Unfortunately, real life can’t be wrapped up with a nice little bow”

“I start to walk out of the room, but I hear him start to panic and his breathing gets labored. He reaches out to me. “Don’t go. Please.”I sit next to him on the bed, wondering if he’s afraid of being abandoned. He slings his arm around my thigh and rests his forehead against my knee. “I have to protect you,” he says softly.“From who?”“El Diablo.”“El Diablo? Who’s that?” I ask.“It’s complicated.”What does that mean? “Try to rest,” I tell him.“I can’t. My entire body hurts.”“I know.” I gently rub the arm that’s slung around me until his breathing slows. “I wish I could help you,” I whisper.“You are,” he murmurs against my knee. “Just don’t leave me, okay? Everyone leaves me.”

“Unfortunately, real life can’t be wrapped up with a nice little bow.”

“I want a one hundred percent guarantee that they’ll all be fine.” Itell Mrs. Garcia.She pats my knee. “Unfortunately, there are no guarantees in life.”

“I can't sleep. Too many thoughts running through my useless head.”

“I gave you my heart, but it wasn't enough.”