The big reason why folks leave a small town,' Rant used to say, 'is so they can moon over the idea of going back. And the reason they stay put is so they can moon about getting out.' Rant meant that no one is happy, anywhere.

You're safe because you're so trapped inside your culture. Anything you can conceive of is fine because you can conceive of it.

Parents are like God because you wanna know they're out there, and you want them to think well of you, but you really only call when you need something.

Yes, these are bruises from fighting and I'm okay with that.

I figure if Eve could get us into this mess, I could get us out. After all, God really likes to see a go-getter.

And it's funny how when somebody saves you, the first thing you want to do is save other people. All other people. Everybody. The kid never knew the man's name. But he never forgot that smile. "Hero" isn't the first word, but it's the first word that comes to mind.

Everyone has something wrong. And for a while, her heart just sort of flat lined.