I felt beautiful but also interrupted. I wasn't used to being so complicated.

She laughed so easily when she was happy. But also when she was sad.

The best you'll ever do is to understand yourself, know what it is that you want, and not let the cattle stand in your way.

The sound of her laughter was sticky as sap, the smell of night-blooming jasmine soft as a milk bath.

We have no home, she told me. I am your home.

I wanted to tell her not to entertain despair like this. Despaire wasn't a guest, you didn't play its favorite music, find it a comfortable chair. Despair was the enemy." -white oleander

She would buy magic every day of the week. Love me, that face said. I'm so lonely, so desperate. I'll give you whatever you want.