One for the Murphys

But most of all, I'll remember how she loved me. I turn away, knowing that I might never get to see Julie Murphy again. But I will know her for the rest of my life.

Do you know what courage is? It's being afraid and doing it anyway.

All these gifts you have, Carley. All these gifts you have." -pg. 157

I feel like the things I should say are the things I can't say. And the things I could say are the things I shouldn't say.

I guess sometimes you don't know what you want because you don't know it exists.

Sometimes I wonder. On the pathetic scale, where would I land? I know other kids my age would go to the mall if they cut school, but I'm off to the library.

You regret the things you don't do more than the things you do.

If you put off a vibe that you can handle yourself, other people will start treating you that way. Everything is attitude.

We've both changed. We're tired of having the world push us into places we don't want to be. We're both scared of losing love that maybe we never had to being with. We can have whatever we want in our lives. It's only a matter of deciding. But we don't have to do it alone. We have each other.

...I realize that Toni and I feel the same way about things. That we've both changed. That we're tired of having the world push us into places we don't want to be. That we're both scared of losing love that maybe we never had to begin with. That we can have whatever we want in our lives; it's only a matter of deciding. But Toni and I don't have to do it alone. We have each other." -Carley

My mouth dries up. I know I am not apologizing for the picture. I am sorry for being there in the first place.

I begin to think that a foster mother who smokes cigars and makes me sleep in the basement would be a relief.

Would you say...that you're yourself around her? I always think that's the true measure of how good a friend is" -Mrs. Murphy

My fingers play with my hospital bracelet. I stare at my name. Carley Connors. Thirteen letters. How unlucky can one person be? I think about my mother. Still there, lying in her hospital bed like an eggplant.

Connecticut is covered with them, but in March the branches are still bare. Like long, gray fingers waving us along as we speed by.

It's just a matter of making a decision and following through.