The last move (the best move, the worst move, The Move) was almost four years ago

Sugary tears leak out of every crack and

Pen mark in the bathroom Wall

There is nothing profound about any of this. There is everything beautiful about all of this.

As we approach the river, the sight between its two bridges is my worst nightmare.

With plates of food in hand, you are forced to greet vaguely familiar faces.

"Bye," she says. "Love you!" 

I freeze, almost tripping down the steps. 

I don't even know if our sweet little lilac, right in the corner of the garden, still blooms in summer. 

A falling star taught her how to wish, but a falling star apple trunk taught her something else. 

I am coming of age in a world that doesn't make sense to me. I will turn eighteen quietly, without a party, without my extended family. 

Jill climbed the dusty, rotting steps, and her upper half disappeared into the gloom. 

"But Dad, a dog is the animal for me - 

I'll take him for walks and I'll make him his tea."

We walked along the small terrace of grass, the blinding heat of the sun forgotten . . .

There was a girl in class that Rose really wanted to play with, but she didn't know what to say.