But inside or out, I was alone, and I was beginning to wonder if I always had been, if I always would be.

Clancy had taught me well.

Try to imagine where we'd be without you, darlin', and then maybe you'll see just how lucky we got.

That was the Liam Stewart way of saying, Hi, darlin', missed you something fierce.

Because she knows what it's like to live in a world of black, and black, and the tiny bit of white, but when she escaped it, she didn't find the rainbow of colors, the dresses, the singing, the dancing. She only found ugliness.

I was just an okay person.

I had to be alone for a little while, but I'm okay now." "All right. But next time, don't go where I can't find you.