But what he didn't understand was that this dreamland was preferable, walking through this life half-sleeping, everything at arm's length or farther away. I understood those mermaids. I didn't care if they sang to me. All I wanted was to block out all the human voices as they called me name again and again, pulling me upward into light, to drown.

Harder to get in than out, like so little else.

D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Austin... and you. I'll be there soon.

I have to admit, an unrequited love is so much better than a real one. I mean, it's perfect... As long as something is never even started, you never have to worry about it ending. It has endless potential.

With love like that, you can't get pick about how it finds you or the details. All that matters is that it's there. Better late than never.

You want to take me to a movie?" I asked. "Well, not really," he said. "What I really want is for you to be my girlfriend. But I thought saying that might scare you off.

Told you. Everything sounds better in the car wash.