That's always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they're pretty. It's like picking your breakfeast cereals based on color instead of taste.

But what could I lose by continuing that had not already been lost?

No," I said. And maybe it was only because Alaska couldn't hit the brakes and I couldn't hit the accelerator.

No reason to be angry. Anger just distracts from the all-encompassing sadness.

I like to build places online where readers can have productive conversations about books.

That tastes like hope feels.

Radar revs the engine as to say hustle, and we are running through the parking lot, Ben's robe flowing in the wind so that he looks vaguely like a dark wizard, except that his pale skinny legs are visible, and his arms hug plastic bags. I can see the back of Lacey's legs beneath her dress, her calves tight in midstride. I don't know how I look, but I know how I feel: Young. Goofy. Infinite.