I reread An Imperial Affliction until Mom woke up and rolled over toward me around six. She nuzzled her head against my shoulder, which felt uncomfortable and vaguely Augustinian.

“It's easy to like someone from a distance. But when she stopped being this amaz…”

“Formerly full of potential. Currently full of shit.”

“Mientras leía, sentí que me enamoraba de él como cuando sientes que estás quedá…”

“You can't just make yourself matter and then die, Alaska, because now I am irre…”