“How so many of her needs have been gathering, pebble by pebble, into the mountain that Brian climbs every day.” — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“To have the love of this man, who knows what it is to sacrifice his life for love, I would have waited… — Mary Ann Rivers Life Copy Share Image
“This is, of course, the privilege of love, to bear witness to a strong man’s grief over…” — Mary Ann Rivers Death Copy Share Image
“But I think, maybe, I won’t look back at what you highlighted, because I won’t need to. I want to read all… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“No. I’m waiting because it’s not enough. What’s on the other side of the waiting is enough.” — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“No picture necessary. I’d recognize you, see you, anywhere. I could fill my life with you.” — Mary Ann Rivers Life Copy Share Image
“You were the first thing I had asked for, just for me, in a long, long time.” — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“If I wanted, I could choose to make my life a place that Brian could step into. He didn’t have any room… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“I have never had a first kiss like this. Is it that he’s a stranger? So beautiful? If so, I am ruined… — Mary Ann Rivers First kiss Copy Share Image
“You dole out these stolen little pieces for yourself. You’ve been doing it for so long that you not only have no… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“If I’m broken, the break will be clean and easily mended. If he breaks, I’m not sure if there will be enough… — Mary Ann Rivers Deserve better Copy Share Image
“He moves to look in my eyes and everything below the belt swoops, then his big hands are around my face and… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“And yet, every day, Brian gathers his sister’s long hair into a beautiful plait, and just the sound of his voice is… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“My life is cozy, but I'm starting to let myself think I want something wet and aching stabbed through it. I want… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“It’s just that she’s mine, you know? I get her, I know how to listen to her. Who will know her here?… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“Let’s go to that Jamaican place around the corner from you.” “Cluck You Chicken? Are you serious? The health department probably uses… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“My path is the nice one. The one filled with friends who will smile when I buy their children books for their… — Mary Ann Rivers Children Copy Share Image
“If I were there, I’d be holding your knees over my shoulders, Carrie. My mouth would be over you and I’d lick… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“The problem is that stepping away from Brian, leaving him standing under that pergola on Wednesday, is no longer enough to leave… — Mary Ann Rivers Letting go Copy Share Image
“How does he make you feel?” “Right now? Off balance. A little embarrassed. Worried. Like I don’t know myself.” “Yeah. Exactly. Carrie,… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“I can hear you shake,” he whispers. “What are you doing?” “My hand’s under my blouse, my bra. Very softly, I am… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“Then he was quiet, and Nina didn't have anything to say. But he stayed on the phone, she could hear him breathing,… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“Oh Carrie,” he breathes in my ear, “there are so many places I want to touch you.” “Above the shoulder?” “No. Though… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“The first book I ever read that made me cry. I was seven and hadn’t realized books could do that. Just finish… — Mary Ann Rivers Book Copy Share Image
“He keeps his arms away from me, but eventually, holding him, I feel him tuck his chin over my head. Then he… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“This is, of course, the privilege of love, to bear witness to a strong man’s grief over the little sister he could… — Mary Ann Rivers Every moment Copy Share Image
“I should take his kisses with me and go. But with a seeping, resolute calm, I decide to keep him. I am… — Mary Ann Rivers Calm Copy Share Image
“If I were there, Carrie, I would need to feel how soft the skin on the inside of your thighs is, first,… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“That’s just it, Carrie. I’m not going to burden you. You would take it all, I can tell. God, it’s tempting. You’re… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“Story guys are like life highlighters. Your life is all these big blocks of gray text, and then a story guy comes… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“It’s so easy to be consumed by this shamelessness with him. The way he kisses, let alone the way he touches me,… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“I would need … daisy love, you know, pretty love, sweet love that nonetheless was ubiquitous in roadside ditches in the summertime,… — Mary Ann Rivers Daisy Copy Share Image
“I will meet you on Wednesdays at noon in Celebration Park. Kissing only. I won’t touch you below the shoulders. You can… — Mary Ann Rivers Wednesday Copy Share Image
“Did you know that your mouth, your skin, is so soft? All week, every time I’ve thought about it, my hands feel… — Mary Ann Rivers Time Copy Share Image
“It’s very sad. There are no bike-riding federal contract attorneys in my apartment.” If my phone had a cord, I would be… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
“I love you. I couldn’t be more of a mess right now, but I can’t believe I haven’t told you because I… — Mary Ann Rivers Life Copy Share Image
“He pulls just an inch away, releasing with a sweet suction my bottom lip. “Your mouth is hot and tastes like honey.”… — Mary Ann Rivers Copy Share Image
