“She started converting objects of beauty into objects of value.”

“Some nights, alone, he thinks of her, and some nights, alone, she thinks of him. Some night these thoughts, separated by miles and time zones, occur at the same objective moment, and Ray and Mirabelle are connected without ever knowing it.”

“The Matisse seemed to respond to the decreasing light by increasing its own wattage. Every object in the room was drained of color, but the Matisse stood firm in the de-escalating illumination, its beauty turning functionality inside out, making itself a more practical and useful presence than anything else in sight.”

“Were they beautiful? We were all beautiful. We were in our twenties.”

“I think I did pretty well, considering I started out with nothing but a bunch of blank paper.”

“I believe that sex is one of the most beautiful, natural, wholesome things that money can buy.”

“Lacy was just as happy alone as with company. When she was alone, she was potential; with others she was realized.”