“You held out your hand, and I took it without stopping to make sense of what I was doing. For the first time in almost a century, I felt hope.”

“I'm not a child, Dad. And I'm not grounded anymore, remember?''Oh yes, you are. Starting now.''For what?''Because I said so.''Do I need to remind you that I'm a legal adult, Charlie?''This is my house, you follow my rules!'My glare turned icy. ' If that's hoe you want it. Do you want my to move out tonight? Or can I have a few days to pack?'Charlie's face went bright red. I instantly felt horrible for playing the move-out card.I took a deep breath and tried to make my tone more reasonable. 'I'll do my time without complaining when I've done something wrong, Dad, but I'm not going to put up with your prejudices.”

“I stopped in the porch and took hold of his face in my hands. I looked fiercely into his eyes. "I love you," I said in a low, intense voice. "I will always love you, no matter what happens now.”

“Do I dazzle you?" I voiced my curiosity impulsively, and then the words were out, and it was too late to recall them.But before I had time to too deeply regret speaking the words aloud, she answered "Frequently." And her cheeks took on a faint pink glow.I dazzled her.My silent heart swelled with a hope more intense than I could ever remember having felt before.”

“Do you think I'll ever be better at this?" I wondered, mostly to myself. "That my heart might someday stop trying to jump out of my chest whenever you touch me?""I really hope not," he said, a bit smug.”

“I held you in my hands, Wanderer, and you were beautiful.”

“Your number was up the first time I met you.”