“I could feel myself shrinking. I couldn't move, not even to blink or breathe. Soon I'd be nothing at all.” — Jessica Martinez Grief Copy Share Image
“Cute kid. Dimples, curls, he’s like a male Shirley Temple.” — Jessica Martinez Cute Copy Share Image
“Lots of things could kill you. Fire. Ice. Why not sadness?” — Jessica Martinez Sadness Copy Share Image
“I like the scars because I like the stories. Bravery, stupidity, pain—none of them come free.” — Jessica Martinez Courage Copy Share Image
“He'd said all the right things today. He'd been exactly who I needed him to be, dug through all the layers to… — Jessica Martinez Copy Share Image
“Burger.” Soup scrapes a patty off the grate for me and deposits it onto the open bun. “Extra juicy just for you.”… — Jessica Martinez Big sister Copy Share Image
“Mo drives to his house. We both get out and meet around front of the truck’s bug-smeared grille. He hesitates, then hugs… — Jessica Martinez Feels right Copy Share Image
“I can’t be the only one. There have to be other people out there who see the Mr. Twister mascot for what… — Jessica Martinez Charlie chaplin Copy Share Image
“You okay?” she asks. “I think so. You?” “Yeah.” The courthouse looks like it’s burning under the morning sun. The flame-orange shimmer… — Jessica Martinez Bad thing Copy Share Image
“I wait. I don't know how long it will take his reproductive organs to decide life is worth living again, but I'm… — Jessica Martinez Death Copy Share Image
“I don’t know a thing about jazz.” “That’s okay.” He pulled me toward the door and opened it. “You know music. Jazz… — Jessica Martinez Jazz Copy Share Image
“I glance away from the road to her face again. She’s got that look—the I don’t care if it’s bad for me,… — Jessica Martinez Drinking poison Copy Share Image
“The violin wasn't alive. It wasn't a baby or an animal, not living. But that would be easier to believe if I… — Jessica Martinez Violin Copy Share Image
“That's to British," I countered. "What is?" "Making sweeping generalizations about Americans because that makes you feel better about having a national… — Jessica Martinez Atlantic ocean Copy Share Image
“I’m going to be late. I get home exactly sixteen minutes before my shift starts, which only gives me six minutes to… — Jessica Martinez Late Copy Share Image
“That church . . . it reminds me of one in downtown Chicago. Do you remember? That beautiful one with the courtyard… — Jessica Martinez American Architecture Copy Share Image
“He probably hadn't written it. I knew that. I certainly hadn't written mine. But after yesterday, his pompous sneer was permanently imprinted… — Jessica Martinez Carmen Copy Share Image
“So we have a deal,” she says. “We have a deal.” I take my right hand off the steering wheel, spit in… — Jessica Martinez Note to self Copy Share Image
“And where's my ring? She laughs, drops her fists in her lap. 'Your Ring? Where's my ring? And why aren't you down… — Jessica Martinez Copy Share Image
“The conversation is too mind-numbing, so I devote my attention to fiddling with the fancy backseat temperature controls instead. There’s only so… — Jessica Martinez Children Copy Share Image
“How about I give you a hin instead?" "Sure. I'm sure a hint's all I need anyway." "You think you're pretty smart… — Jessica Martinez Copy Share Image
“I look over at Satan’s Cat in the corner, and of course she starts it again. She widens her eyes. I sigh… — Jessica Martinez Cats Copy Share Image
“Which color?” he asks, holding up a green and a yellow ball. His knuckles are flecked with a different-colored paint now. Eggshell… — Jessica Martinez Food Copy Share Image
