No one remembers her beginnings. Mothers and aunts tell us about infancy and early childhood, hoping we won’t forget the past when they had total control over our lives and secretly praying that because of it, we’ll include them in our future. (Chapter 1)

I’d never seen men hold each other. I thought the only things they were allowed to do was shake hands or fight. (Chapter 3)

After the storm, the sky stayed dark but across the horizon was a brilliant rainbow. […] Leroy bet me I couldn’t find a pot of gold at the end, and I told him that was stupid because the rainbow was enough. (Chapter 3)

I don’t care whether they like me or not. Everybody’s stupid, that’s what I think. I care if I like me, that’s what I truly care about. (Chapter 4)

Learn from your old man. I never did a goddamned thing... (Chapter 8)