We couldn't imagine the emptiness of a creature who put a razor to her wrists and opened her veins, the emptiness and the calm.

People don't save other people. People save themselves.

Jerome was sliding and climbing on top of me and it felt like it had the night before, like a crushing weight. So do boys and men announce their intentions. They cover you like a sarcophagus lid. And call it love.

girls forbidden to dance would only attract husbands with bad complexions and sunken chests.

She wanted a book to take her places she couldn't get to herself.

Whenever we got a glimpse, their faces looked indecently revealed, as though we were used to seeing women in veils.

Now all the mute objects of my life seem to tell my story, to stretch back in time, if I look closely enough.