Home wasn't a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go.
Sarah DessenSo say Iโm your mom.' 'What?' I said. 'Iโm your mom,' he repeated. 'Now tell me you want to quit modeling.' I could feel myself blushing. 'I canโt do that,' I said. 'Why not?' he asked. 'Is it so hard to believe? You think Iโm not a good role-player?' 'No,' I said. 'Itโs justโ' 'Because I am. Everyone wanted me to be their mother in group.' I just looked at him. 'I justโฆ Itโs weird.' 'No, itโs hard. But not impossible. Just try it.' A week earlier, I hadnโt even known what color his eyes were. Now, we were family. At least temporarily.
Sarah DessenBest Friends. And I thought of what she had done all the millions of times I cried to her, collapsing at even the slightest wounding of my heart or pride. So I reached over and pulled her to me, wrapping my arms around her, and held my best friend close, returning so many favors all at once.
Sarah DessenEveryone laughed, and just like that, the conversation shifted, jumping to another topic. It was fast and furious, the talking, the emotions, the back-and-forth and forth-and-back. I realized that if I tried to focus on it too much, I got overwhelmed. So I just decided to relax into it, bumpy and crazy as it might be, and try for once to just go along for the ride.
Sarah Dessen