“I thought I was having a fucking stroke," I say as they free me from my coated elastic prison, making them laugh even harder.”

“You should probably stay away from me," I say, resting my head on my knees. "I'm a mess.”

“She beams at me and it’s almost enough to make up for the fact that I’m harder than trigonometry right now. Almost.”

“Hey back,' I say, my voice low beside her ear. She shivers. I love that.”

“Does this public display of affection with my daughter on my front porch mean I'm stuck with you now?" he asks, opening the screen door for Harper.I'm not sure if I should laugh, so I hold back. "I'm afraid so.”

“He was the person all of us should be, but most of us aren't. And if I could have taken his place to buy him a little more time in the world, I'd have done it. I'm sorry I couldn't.”

“I don't know if my life will ever be completely normal again, but something like normal is a good start.”