“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.”

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

“I'm sorry, I had a meeting"I stand behind his chair. "Liar," under my breath."You weren't at a meeting," take a breath, gain speed, bursting,"You were with Angie in the office.I saw you. I saw you. You clamp us down, you think no one knows.You hurt my brother! My sister!You hurt my friend! Small trusting prey, huh?You had to squash some weak person already in pain, thinking she loved you.You could have chosen to hurt me!But I'm not worth enough, I never am and you picked poor Angie, you were going to RAPE her, I SAW YOU TRY TO RAPE ANGIE, you fucking MONSTER!”

“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.”

“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”

“With all the dizzy galaxies hot gases dust at the speed of light neutrinos running through everything,no matter how powerful someone is here on Earththey are just as small as me to the vast greatness ofouterspace.”