“I think that is supposed to be good, that I get less from him but I feel worthless.”

“I got an A on the third quiz in American history, an A, dammit. Last time I got a Bup from a Cand my father said,"if you can get a Cyou can get a B,if you can get a Byou can get an A."-I got an Aand my father said,"grades don't mean anything.”

“Why am I not good enough?At least he loves Darren and Yaichain some wayeven if it's horrible, he shows them attentionand I am furnitureI get nothing nothingnothingno thing”

“I am always there.But they don't care if I ambecause I am furniture.I don't get hitI don't get fondledI don't get lovebecause I am furnitureSuits me fine.”

“The foam cushionson the old couch downstairsdisintegratedailyin a hush,like each of us,small flecks ofhardening puffsraining mute to the floorwhen I flop down to study.And the more the couch gets used,the less foam it keeps--somedayjust an uncomfortable frame,springs and other inner workingsexposed.Silent.”

“Then why don't I tell on him?If they don't, why don't I?Because.Because I am safe this way,silent unnoticed.”

“If all this tree is from mom and all this tree is from himwhere do I grow my own branches?”