Everything seems simple until you think about it.

The cure might be worse than the problem

I look at him, look at the book, remember, this book, this moment, the first book I ever loved

The kissed surprised him because it had been so long since he'd kissed anyone but Elspeth. It surprised Valentina because she had hardly ever kissed anyone that way - to her, kissing had always been more theoretical than physical. Afterwards she stood with her eyes closed, lips parted, face tilted. Robert thought, She's going to break my heart and I'm going to let her.

What is more basic than the need to be known? It is the entirety of intimacy, the elixir of love, this knowing.

We are often insane with happiness. We are also very unhappy for reasons neither of us can do anything about. Like being separated.

I wanted someone to love who would stay: stay and be there, always.