“I respect the hell out of her for how hard shes working to be okay. I just wish shed let me show her how to let go, how to let herself hurt. I want to take her pain.”

“Hot heart-blood leaked from my face. From my eyes and my nose and my mouth. Not tears, because those would never stop. This was just liquid heartbreak seeping from my pores.”

“But we have to learn to be free. We have to, Nell. Doesn't mean happy all the time, or okay all the time. Its okay not to be okay. I told you that, but I'm relearning it myself. But not being okay ...”

“But I think youre beautiful. Youre lovely. I shifted uncomfortably under the intense scrutiny and prickling heat in his eyes. Thanks? He thinks I'mlovely? The idea that Kyle thought I was not just ...”

“It wasn't supposed to. It was just supposed to stop you from hurting yourself. It helps No it doesn't. It just pushes it away temporarily. Just like the booze. But I need You need to let yourself f...”

“Its not okay, I tell her. This gets her attention; its not what she was expecting. You dont have to be okay. What do you want from me? Her voice is ragged, desperate. I want you to let yourself be ...”

“I respect the hell out of her for how hard shes working to be okay. I just wish shed let me show her how to let go, how to let herself hurt. I want to take her pain.”

“But we have to learn to be free. We have to, Nell. Doesn't mean happy all the time, or okay all the time. Its okay not to be okay. I told you that, but I'm relearning it myself. But not being okay ...”

“She closes her eyes, and I can see the moisture. Shes deep-breathing again, and I notice her hands are clutched around the opposing wrists, nails digging in deep, hard, scratching. Pain to replace ...”

“On some dimension or other, every event in life can be causing only one of two things: either it is good for you, or it is bringing up what you need to look at in order to create good for you. Evol...”

“Give me loveGive me loveGive me peace on earthGive me lightGive me lifeKeep me free from birthGive me hopeHelp me cope, with this heavy loadTrying to, touch and reach you with,heart and soul”

“Everything can change in a heartbeat; it can slip away in an instant. Everything you trust, and treasure, whatever brings you comfort, comes at a terrible cost. Health is temporary; money disappear...”