There had never been a shortage of fools in the world

May be she’ll learn something about what death really is, which is where the pain stops and the good memories begin. Not the end of life but the end of pain.

A little arrogance (or even a lot) isn't such a bad thing, although your mother undoubtedly told you different. Mine did. "Pride goeth before a fall, Stephen", she said... and then I found out - right around the age that is 19 x 2 - that eventually you fall down, anyway.

Outside, a gusty October breeze was combing leaves from the trees and sending them across her backyard in colorful skitters.

After the 9/11 apocalypse happened in New York City, people, particularly New Yorkers, who breathed in the ash, or saw the results of that, have a tendency to keep seeing echoes and having flashbacks to it.

Eddie discovered one of his childhood's great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.

Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.