Well . . ." St. Vincent walked slowly with her to the crowd of dancers. "I'm a wicked man who can, on occasion, be just a bit nice. And I've been searching for a nice girl who can, on occasion, be just a bit wicked.

Where's your instruction manual?" I asked him. "What's the baby customer-service number?

I suppose now I'm obliged to wish you happiness in your new life. Although happiness in the absence of indoor plumbing is a debatable concept.

He'll survive," he answered her. "Just as he's survived everything else in his life. But he'll never be the same.

When you love a child, you forgive her before she can even ask. Basically you've already forgiven her for things she hasn't even done yet.

Sometimes life has a cruel sense of humor, giving you the thing you always wanted at the worst time possible.

If I never have anything from him except this one moment I am going to take it. Take it now, or drown in regret later.