Life, she realized, so often became a determined, relentless avoidance of pain-of one's own, of other people's. But sometimes pain had to be acknowledged and even touched so that one could move into it and through it and past it. Or else be destroyed by it.

Sometimes it just seems that love is not enough, does it?

Nothing is permanently perfect. But there are perfect moments and the will to choose what will bring about more perfect moments.

There had to be a reason why they were not going to marry. They had both been so adamant about it. What the devil was the reason?

Fear is a powerful beast, if it is allowed the mastery.

I wish," he said, "I had known at eighteen what I know now - that there are some things on which one does not compromise.

Perhaps she was just looking for love in the wrong places. In all the safe places. What if love was not safe at all?