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

Lena knew she had spent too much of her life in a state of passive dread, just waiting for something bad to happen. In a life like that, relief was as close as you got to happiness.

But like everything else, love changed.

People sometimes talk about the power of first impressions, and believe me, there is truth to it.

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.

Everything I ever said to you was true and is true.

The path of your life can change in an instant.