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41 " When was the last time you ever did anything without expecting something in return? "
― T.J. Klune , Under the Whispering Door
42 " This felt like a test, and he didn't trust this man as far as he could throw him. Wallace had never thrown a man before, and he didn't want to start now. "
43 " helps to laugh, even when you don’t feel like laughing. You can’t be sad when you’re laughing. Mostly. "
44 " She said that life was more than dirty socks. "
45 " We don’t always see what’s right in front of us, much less appreciate it. It’s not until we look back that we find what we should have known all along. "
46 " We don’t interfere with death. We can’t.” “Why not?” “Because it’s always there. No matter what you do, no matter what kind of life you live, good or bad or somewhere in between, it’s always going to be waiting for you. From the moment you’re born, you’re dying. "
47 " Good tea is patience. It’s not about instant gratification, not like the bags with the little strings. Those can be fleeting, here and gone again before you know it. Tea like this makes you appreciate the effort you put into it. The more it steeps, the stronger the taste. "
48 " Growing tea isn’t for everyone,” Hugo said. “Most tea plants don’t mature until around three or four years. You can harvest the leaves before then, but something’s missing from the flavor and scent. You have to put in the time and have patience. Too early, and you risk killing the plant and having to start all over again. "
49 " There was no need for flowers. What was the point? They were pretty at first but then they died, leaves and petals curling and rotting, making a mess that could have been avoided had they not been sent in the first place. "
50 " They reached the end of the village a short time later. The buildings stopped, and the road that stretched before them wound its way through the coniferous forest, the scent of pine reminding Wallace of Christmas, a time when all the world seemed to take a breath and forget—even just for a little while—how harsh life could be. "
51 " On the last day, he gave up. It didn't hurt, really. The end. He was only numb. And then he was gone. "
52 " I try to be the best ferryman I can be because I know people are counting on me. I think that’s all anyone can ask for. I’ve learned from my mistakes, even as I continue to make new ones. "
53 " The first time you share tea, you are a stranger,” Mei said. “The second time you share tea,” Nelson said, “you are an honored guest.” Hugo nodded. “And the third time you share tea, you become family. It’s a Balti quote. "
54 " She crossed her arms and pouted. “Nothing’s stopping us. You told me that we should always try to achieve our dreams.” “I didn’t have murder in mind when I told you that,” Hugo said dryly. “That’s because you think too small. Go big or go home. "
55 " All I wanted to do was tell you that you mattered to him. Even when all was said and done, you mattered. "
56 " It's a lot for anyone to realize that we go on, even when our hearts stop beating. That the pain of life can still follow us even through death. "
57 " —and if you’ll let me, I’ll just put a little poison in her tea,” Mei was saying to Hugo as they entered the kitchen. Apollo sat next to her, ear flopped over as he looked between the two of them. “Not enough to kill her, but still enough for it to be considered a felony for which I’ll absolutely accept jail time. It’s a win-win situation.” Hugo looked horrified. “You can’t ruin tea like that. Every cup is special and putting poison in it would ruin the flavor. "
58 " We had a good life. She loved me, and I made sure she knew every day I loved her, even if I had to pick up after her. "
59 " This story explores life and love as well as loss and grief. There are discussions of death in different forms—quiet, unexpected, and death by suicide. Please read with care. "
60 " Death has a beauty to it. We don’t see it because we don’t want to. And that makes sense. Why would we want to focus on something that takes us away from everything we know? How do we even begin to understand that there’s more than what we see? "