It was like meeting someone out of your dreams, or fantasies, or a beloved character from a favorite book.

I mean, who cares about SpongeBob SquarePants? I'm sitting here with Wolverine! -random kid talking to Ari

We is always so much better than I.

Sometimes a happy delusion is better than grim reality.

What I'm really addicted to is getting people to understand that if their kids aren't competent readers coming out of middle school, it's really going to be hard for them in high school.

He nuzzled my neck, inhaling deeply. “Mmm. You smell so good.” “Oh, yeah,” I said, smirking. “I call this new perfume ‘Le Jungle grime et tropical BO.’ ” “Dirt and sweat. Very sexy.

I don't damsel well. Distress, I can do. Damseling? Not so much.