Candles Burning

I suppose Mama did show him some mercy; she only relieved him of two thousand dollars. She didn’t marry him.

Adults were people who had lost the innocent greedy joy of Christmas morning.

it certainly is remarkable how the childless always know everything there is to know about child rearing.

When somebody wants to kill somebody else, motivation is justification, that’s all.

You have to be careful what you love because love has to be paid for.

Manipulation was a second language to me, learned at Mama’s knee.

"But it seems to me that you love her very much, and that you love her despite whatever reservations you may entertain of her character and conduct.”
“She’s my mama. I’m supposed to love her.”
“‘Supposed to’? Whose rule is that?”
“Mama’s.”