And here he is again, yet things feel like they'll never be as easy between us as they once were.

It's hard to be disappointed when what you expected turns out to be true.

Because when you're posed, you know someone's watching. You put on your very best smile. You let your sweetest personality shine.

And everyone knows you can’t disprove a rumor.

A flood of emotions rushes into me. Pain and anger. Sadness and pity. But most surprising of all, hope.

And what if in the future we're at war again, or we still haven't elected a non-white or non-male president, or the Rolling Stones are still dragging their tired old butts on stage? That would depress me way too much.

Actually, I love trying to figure out why certain books become hits while others, which may be just as good, have trouble finding an audience.