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81 " Buenooo, the best way to learn to swim,is to jump into a body of water that wants to kill you. "
― Elizabeth Acevedo , Clap When You Land
82 " But one thing I learned from the Saints, when the crossroads are open to you, you must decide a path. I will not stand still while the world makes my choices. "
83 " Here, despite the bad & ugly, is my home. & now I wish that I could stay. Does anyone ever want to leave the place they love? "
84 " she is the only person who can understand what I feel,but she is also at the root of the hurt I'm feeling. "
85 " You can't run from what hurts you, or like a dog smelling fear, that grief will just keep chasing with ever-sharp teeth. "
86 " Just let yourself mourn, sweetie. You can’t run from what hurts you, or like a dog smelling fear, that grief will just keep chasing with ever-sharp teeth. "
87 " Swimming might be the closest to flying a human being can get. There is something about your body displacing water in order to propel through space that makes you feel Godtouched. That makes me understand evolution, that we really must have crawled up from the sea. "
88 " ... to walk this world you must be kind but also fierce. "
89 " not to dog-ear any of the pages "
90 " It is strange to go from being an only child to seeing someone wearing your own face. "
91 " didn’t have a quinceañera at a country club. I’m American-adjacent. With a father who makes—made— enough money to keep me in the school uniform but not enough to contribute to the annual fundraiser or to send me on any of the international trips or to give me a brand-new car over Christmas "
92 " There is an artist my mother loved,Juan Gabriel, who was once askedin an interview if he was gay.His reply: What's understood need not be said. "
93 " If tension is a winged monster, it's cast its feathers on the roof of my house. "
94 " Tía is older, with little money. She is respected in the neighborhood & beloved by the people to whom she offers care, but El Cero occupies a world of men who care little of healers, & even less of the girls who represent little more than dollar signs. "
95 " She asks me how I'm doing. Stupid fucking question.I want to tell her some days I wake upto find dents on the inside of my palmsfrom where I've fisted my hands while sleeping,my nails biting into the skin & leaving angry marks. "
96 " Their marriage wasn't easy, & she has so muchshe's dealing with. Yano was a great father to you,& I know you loved him, but he wasn't always a great husband.& I don't know how one man can be so many different thingsto the people he was closest to. But I nod. "
97 " in my heartof hearts I knowwhatever I need to findI'll need to go. "
98 " Papi extended it to Mama. She said he had his heart in it. "
99 " We stack our faith up like spinal discs to hold us upright; it gives us language to fill our mouths & hearts & ears. "
100 " Never let them see you sweat. & even if you have to forfeit, smile. "