Mother calls up the stairs to ask what in the world I'm typing up there all day and I holler down, 'Just typing up some notes from the Bible study. Just writing down all the things I love about Jesus.

Because ain’t that white people for you, wondering if they are happy enough.

Babies like fat. Like to bury they face up in you armpit and go to sleep. They like big fat legs too. That I know.

I reckon that’s the risk you run, letting somebody else raise you chilluns.

You is kind. You is smart. You is important.

Bosoms are for bedrooms and breastfeeding.

Stuart stands and says, 'Come here,' and he's on my side of the room in one stride and he claps my hands to his hips and kisses my mouth like I am the drink he's been dying for all day and I've heard girls say it's like melting, that feeling. But I think it's like rising, growing even taller and seeing sights over a hedge, colors you've never seen before.