The radio comes back even louder than you remember it.

Part of the reason I wrote the book was I wanted to understand for myself why such good people let themselves get treated so badly.

I look at people holdings hands in the hallways, and I try to think how it all works. At the school dances, I sit in the background, and I tap my toe, and I wonder how many couples will dance to ‘their song.’ In the hallways, I see the girls wearing the guys’ jackets, and I think about the idea of property. And I wonder if anyone is really happy.

Nobody felt sad as long as we could postpone tomorrow with more nostalgia.

And I guess I realized at that moment that I really did love her. Because there was nothing to gain, and that didn't matter.

So what's the point of using words nobody else knows or can say comfortably? I just don't understand that.

I'm going to be who I really am. I'm going to figure out what this is.