I’m reminded of a book my father used to read me,” she said. “A bunch of elves and things get into a huge war over a piece of jewelry that everybody wants but nobody can wear.

-Most people would say that she's beautiful. -That's because she's been with most people.

They were almond cookies, although they could have been made of spinach and shoes for all I cared. I ate eleven of them, right in a row. It is rude to take the last cookie.

Never mind what my name is,” the man said. “No one can pronounce it anyway. Just call me Sir.

It is almost as if happiness is an acquired taste, like coconut cordial or ceviche, to which you can eventually become accustomed, but despair is something surprising each time you encounter it.

...there's nothing wrong with occasionally staring out the window and thinking nonsense, as long as the nonsense is yours.

The only thing he cares about.