“Oh, dear Lord. I was in love with him. And there wasn’t a thing on earth, in heaven, or in hell that could have stopped me.”

“But even the worst earthly pain and heartache doesn't last into the heavenly realm. And it all serves a higher purpose.”

“Dear God!”I screamed and buried my face in my pillow.“What?!” I heard him ask. “Did you see a roach?”“Why are you naked?!” I did not dare to lift my red face.“Huh. Is that all?” he asked. “I always sleep in the buff. I don't know how you can stand all that clothing.”“Unbelievable.” I said, and without looking at him I pulled myself up and stomped to the bathroom.”

“I'm not really heaven material anyway, chickie babe. Sign me up for your team.”

“Because all I could think about was you, Anna, and how good you are, and what you'd think of me. You put thoughts into my head a Neph shouldn't have!”

“Besides, unrequited love is one of those things that all teen-agers have to go through, right?”

“I marvelled about the nature of humanity, and how something as lovely as friendship could stem from something so hideous.”