But it was okay not to fit in everywhere, as long as you did somewhere.

See, Colie, it's all about understanding. We're all worth something.

But I'd long ago learned not to be picky in farewells. They weren't guaranteed or promised. You were lucky, more than blessed, if you got a good-bye at all.

You should never be surprised when someone treats you with respect, you should expect it.

What," I said, "is that a crime here or something? Like only buying one thing at the Gas/Gro?

And the rest is history,' I said. Nah.' He shook his head. 'The rest is now.

Outside, the ocean was crashing, waves hitting sand, then pulling back to sea. I thought of everything being washed away, again and again. We make such messes in this life, both accidentally and on purpose. But wiping the surface clean doesn't really make anything neater. It just masks what is below. It's only when you really dig down deep, go underground, that you can see who you really are.