I cry for everything I abandoned and because I, too, have been left behind -- by Alex, by my mom, by time that has cut through our worlds and separated us.

“I was thinking of Lena. Of course. I was always thinking of Lena.”

“I know that the whole point—the only point—is tofind the things that matter, an…”

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep.If I should die …”

“My boyfriend's an idiot," I say as soon as he lurches away."A cute idiot," Ally…”