I'd been convinced I was on the outside, but really, I'd always been within arm's reach. All I had to do was ask, and I, too, would be easily brought back, surrounded and immersed, finding myself safe, somewhere in between.

But unfriendly is usually one of those things you pick up on right away. You know, like B.O. There's no hiding it if it's there.

You know, when you think about it, that’s kind of a weird thing. I mean it’s meant to be sympathetic, right? But it’s kind of not. Like you’re telling the person there’s nothing unique about what they’re saying I considered this as a couple of kids on Rollerblades whizzed past, hockey sticks over their shoulders. “Yeah,” I said, finally, “but you could also look at it the other way. Like no matter how bad things are for you, I can still relate.

Sometimes, we just have to be happy with what people can offer us. Even if it's not what we want, at least it's something.

Her life was perfect. But as was often the case, the rest of us were still adjusting.

The true story...is the realization that no time in your life is ever perfect, that even the best memories have cracks you might not see.

How fast were you?" Wes asked me. I said, "Not that fast." "You mean you couldn't... fly?" he said, smiling at me.