“She looked like she believed in something, or wanted to, and I hoped to hell it wasn’t God, not in the way The Dad believes, because all that does is make him forced and desperate. No, it was something else,… — Brad Barkley Copy Share Image
I pu my finger to her lips. "You have to hush a minute so that I can tell you something." "What?" she says, bites my finger. I look at her. "I love you." She gets quiet, the kind of quiet that sinks into her, softens her. "Well that works out," she finally says, her voice deeper and breathless, her eyes… — Brad Barkley Copy Share
You asked me if I believed in magic, and I said yes, and that's how. You just step out, start pulling your life out of the air. You make friends, you find work you really like doing, you find places. You find diners and Laundromats. You find beaches. You find a junk car and drive it for a month, then… — Brad Barkley Copy Share
But how he acts, and what he says, and what he does, and who he is, they don't line up anymore, and the lie… — Brad Barkley Copy Share Image
Cal," I whisper into her sleep, "if you go, you know what? You'll break my liver." I want to pretend that it's a joke, that she will wake up and laugh with me, throwing her head back the way she did last night, bit this time the words are true . . . she will break my liver, break my… — Brad Barkley Copy Share
“I know all the magazine tell you to do everything for yourself, but that's not how I think it really works. I think you… — Brad Barkley Copy Share Image
“Here is where they tell you, if you only believe, you, too, can live happily ever after.” — Brad Barkley Copy Share Image
“Okay, Ella. Is it possible for you to be any more vague?" "Maybe," I say, smiling at her.” — Brad Barkley Copy Share Image
Don't tell anyone this, but I have never been to Disneyworld. I don't know if I ever will, but I would like to. — Brad Barkley Copy Share Image
“When you grow up the way I do, and the biggest thing in your life so far has been getting dunked in a glass… — Brad Barkley Copy Share Image
I want to show you something,” I say. What?” He dabs at his lips with the napkin, and for a moment I’m wishing so… — Brad Barkley Copy Share Image
“Cal: "I'm really sorry, Professor, but how do you explain these ? Swiss Cake Rolls. That doesn't rhyme; it's not cute; it's not childlike.… — Brad Barkley Copy Share Image
