But sons are a different matter to a man. More a duty than an indulgence.

She wished she were as inconsequential as the ghosts in her dreams.

...I took Advanced PowerPoint last semester. You guys are always misunderestimating me. I'm totally ready to handle the big stuff.

The sun has blessed you," Sarita used to say. "Look how he has left his kisses on your face for all to see and be jealous." "The sun loves you more," I said, rubbing my hands over her dry arms, the color of an aged wine gourd, and she laughed. But this is not India and we are not prized for our freckles here. The sun is not allowed to show his love.

There is no greater power on this earth than story.

Everything is randomly connected.

But the past cannot be changed, and we carry our choices with us, forward, into the unknown. We can only move on.