He hated crowds, never liked punk. He couldn't handle the nakedness of the rage -his own so sophisticated and finely tuned. He could never see the similarity between himself and Donnie Draino screaming into a mic.

She’s never where she is,' I said. 'She’s only inside her head.

Panic was the worst thing. When you panicked, you couldn't see possibilities. Then came despair.

this was the wonderful thing about strangers. they were big blank pieces of paper, you could draw watever you like on their impresionable surfaces

You were my home, Mother. I had no home but you

The night crackled ... Everything had turned to static electricity in the heat. I combed my hair to watch the sparks fly from the ends.

Being in the library is so addictive for me that I really have to exercise self-control so I can get some writing done at home.