"That's why they're romantic. They're there and then they're gone." (Chapter 1, p. 1)

"Culture is the only thing other than death that has the power to change you." (Chapter 4, p. 51)

"'The moments before sleeping have always been my favorite time. I go between worlds.'" (Chapter 5, p. 59)

"Lorri was in her getting-psyched-for-the-game mode, deep insider herself like a real athlete, someone who could pay attention to things." (Chapter 6, p. 68)

"I drown. I'm always drowning." (Chapter 6, p. 73)

"It was May and lust came on me like a habit, an addictive condition." (Chapter 7, p. 91)

"My reflex was to get up and say hi but Jessica's body held me back." (Chapter 8, p. 104)

"I lost my faith then. Not like my faith was any big thing." (Chapter 9, p. 123)

"If sexual abuse makes people jerks then I was glad nothing happened to me." (Chapter 10, p. 132)

"Some tortured English writer with sunken eyes. Things floated...