A tragedy's first act is crowded with supporting players: witnesses crimping their faces, policemen scribbling in pads and making radio calls, EMS guys unfolding equipment, tubes and wheels.

Diminish the influence of fate

Passion and platonic friendliness, often contrary siblings, frequently wear similar faces to hide the great distance between them.

Love wasn't a thing you fell in, but rose to. It was what stopped you from falling.

I'd violated the primary rule of junior and senior high-- don't get people talking about you too much. This was wearing the brightest shirt on the playground. This was Mom giving you a kiss in the lobby.

Things don't go away. They become you.

Sometimes one learns too early, as I did, what the world is capable of.