He took each fact as it came and let it slip painlessly into the back of his mind, thinking, Okay, okay, I'll think about that one later; and that one; and that one; so that the alert, front part of his mind could remain free enough to keep him in command of the situation.
Richard YatesCan you really think artists and writers are the only people entitled to lives of their own?
Richard YatesDying for love might be pitiable, but it wasn't much different, finally, from any other kind of dying.
Richard YatesHe couldn't even tell whether he was angry or contrite, whether it was forgiveness he wanted or the power to forgive.
Richard YatesYou want to play house, you got to have a job. You want to play very nice house, very sweet house, then you got to have a job you don't like. Great. This is the way ninety-eight-point-nine per cent of the people work things out, so believe me, buddy, you've got nothing to apologize for.
Richard Yates