Among the problems with shame was that it in fact did not make you shorter or quieter or less visible. You just felt like you were.

See, this was the thing with Qhuinn. He could be out there and he could let his edge get away from him, but he always came back and made you feel like you were the single most important person in the world to him and that he was truly sorry for hurting your feelings.

End of the day, the quick and the dead are the same. Everyone's just looking for home.

Are you wet for me, Mary? I think you are. I think you're covered with honey.

Is he Catholic?" her grandmother asked on the way out. He's a drug dealer -- so if he is religious, he's got incredible powers of reconciliation. "He looks like a good boy," her vovo said over her shoulder. "A good Catholic boy." And that was that -- for now.

There was a heavy, dark pause of vast significance. Which Jim broke by flashing his hands and belting out, “Booga-wooga!” At least Eddie laughed. Adrian flipped Jim the bird and headed to the fridge for another beer.

Just once" Blay said softly. "Do it just once. So I'll know what it's like.