“We mutinied quietly, using every lesson we’d been taught by every person who’d ever used us for their own benefit.” — Laura Wiess Lesson Copy Share Image
“My father’s release date was given to all the local cops, school administrators, and youth group leaders.” — Laura Wiess Father Copy Share Image
“Ignorance of the outcome doesn't exempt you from the consequences.” — Laura Wiess Consequences Copy Share Image
“How can you make someone love you when they won't? And what if that person happens to be your mother?” — Laura Wiess Love Copy Share Image
“The distant threat of eternal damnation pales in comparison to the immediate gratification of corrupting young skin.” — Laura Wiess Damnation Copy Share Image
“A victim soul is a pious individual chosen to absorb the pain and suffering of others.” — Laura Wiess Pain and suffering Copy Share Image
“I am shrunken and shriveled inside, a rotten chestnut hidden beneath a deceptively smooth shell” — Laura Wiess Copy Share Image
“Rape is not a mistake! He did it on purpose, over and over again because he wanted to, because he off on… — Laura Wiess Failure Copy Share Image
“There are worse things in life to be than fat, and one of them is ignorant. Another is prejudiced. Another is deliberately… — Laura Wiess Copy Share Image
“Meredith's a big girl. She knows how babies are made, don't you, Mer?" I nod, numb and weary. "'Course I do. Same… — Laura Wiess Meredith Copy Share Image
“Yeah, I know I've changed. Nothing gets to me anymore. Well, okay, except for stuff in the past. Back then I was… — Laura Wiess Copy Share Image
“That's what innocence is, you know. A blissful oblivion of what's coming, of what you'll lose and what you'll gain, and what… — Laura Wiess Blissful Copy Share Image
“But when I looked for good, evil came; and when I waited for light, darkness came. My lyre is turned to mourning,… — Laura Wiess Darkness Copy Share Image
“The law says they aren’t allowed to share the info with anyone else, but of course they did—who wouldn’t?—so now we’re marked… — Laura Wiess Internet Copy Share Image
“My mother plants her hands on her hips, peevish. “Is that the best welcome you can come up with? Why don’t you… — Laura Wiess Mother Copy Share Image
“He shook his head and gave this laugh, a good laugh, and just looked at me. "You always this happy?" "No," I… — Laura Wiess Copy Share Image
“We wait to be rescued, but for whatever reason, no one comes. We figure that if no one protects us then we… — Laura Wiess Dogs Copy Share Image
“Maybe it's true that shared trauma brings people closer together-a common hardship, a battle to survive-because when times are quiet people relax… — Laura Wiess Quiet people Copy Share Image
“If not for you or your daughter, then for Nicky? Couldn't you do it for Nicky?' I stop breathing. My mother pales.… — Laura Wiess Children Copy Share Image
“So I leave proof of my existence behind me like a snail trail with the small hope that years of talking at… — Laura Wiess Hope Copy Share Image
“We wait to be rescued, but for whatever reason, no one comes. We figure that if no one protects us then we… — Laura Wiess Dogs Copy Share Image
“I would not willingly peel back the scar tissue protecting the deepest chambers of my heart and reveal the bruised hollows pooled… — Laura Wiess Old wounds Copy Share Image
“What's the point of obsessing over cholesterol or bike helmets or even cigarettes when the biggest threats to our children are being… — Laura Wiess Copy Share Image
“Time is not your friend. It doesn't care if you live fast or die slow, if you are or if you aren't.… — Laura Wiess Friendship Copy Share Image
“And maybe love is terrifying. I'm terrified now, but not in the way she would think. I'm terrified because I hate who… — Laura Wiess Children Copy Share Image
“I learned to move silently in the background, a dirty, neglected little kid with no voice, no wants, and who made no… — Laura Wiess Survivor Copy Share Image
“That goes for old wounds, too, you know. I really wish we'd had the chance to talk before this," he says, cracking… — Laura Wiess Copy Share Image
“If she'd said she loved me and still did all those cruel and careless things, would my child mind have decided to… — Laura Wiess Copy Share Image
“We have babies because we want them to love us, to make us important, but the only make us tired and fat… — Laura Wiess Babies Copy Share Image
“When someone threatens suicide, when they tell somebody they're going to do it beforehand they're reaching out, hoping someone will stop them.… — Laura Wiess Hard time Copy Share Image
“Now, I learned a long time ago how to be quiet on the outside while I'm freaking on the inside. How to… — Laura Wiess Copy Share Image
