She knew whose love she doubted. It wasn't her parents' and it wasn't her friends: It was her own.

She wondered if maybe tragedy was what it took to make your heart capable of admitting a new member.

She got under the covers and put her arms around the bag. She could smell Tibby. It used to be she couldn't smell Tibby's smell in the way you couldn't smell your own; it was too familiar. But tonight she could. This was some living part of Tibby still here and she held on to it. There was more of Tibby with her here and now than in what she had seen in the cold basement room that day.

All I could think to do was love her. That's all a person can do.

Her body was a prison, her mind was a prison. Her memories were a prison. The people she loved. She couldn't get away from the hurt of them. She could leave Eric, walk out of her apartment, walk forever if she liked, but she couldn't escape what really hurt. Tonight even the sky felt like a prison.

Do you have any idea how much I've loved you?

I did love her. I've loved her from the first time I saw her.