She had been a solitary child, and then solitary as a woman, drawn into an orbit of her own that took her away from others, even those who would be her friends.

Irritation for some men was their response to strain.

A hand fought best when it made a fist.

most hated by the dark, for their name is light.

In this world, where we find ourselves, we need compassion more than anything, I think, or we are all alone.

Dave hung up. And unplugged the phone. With a fierce and bitter pain he stared at it, watching how, over and over again, it didn't ring.

There are no wrong turnings. Only paths we had not known we were meant to walk.