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21 " The sun, sides bulging, squashed itself between two hills. It sent up a flare of golden light. The sky, patterned with a million tiny clouds like fish scales was illuminated. "
― Karen Foxlee , The Anatomy of Wings
22 " 1. The wilder Beth grew, the bluer her eyes became, and the bluer her eyes became, the wilder she grew.2. She chewed her nails. She chewed them down to the skin until they bled. 3. When she laughed she closed her eyes and tilted her head backward. She put one arm across her stomach. 4. She could melt Nanna's stony heart with one smile. After her heart was melted Nanna always said, 'What on earth will we do with you?'5. She ran away often and when she returned we all tried to act as though she had never gone. 6. She felt keenly the pain of insects and then the pain of people.7. She gave up dancing at thirteen.8. Parts of her kept disappearing. Small pieces that she gave away. 9. Sometimes she drank methylated spirits with her wine, just a dash.10. She wanted to save everything but couldn't even save herself. "
23 " I'm really disappointed about how you've turned out," shouted Mum like Beth was a slightly burnt biscuit. "
24 " After the lake everywhere Beth looked there was light. Dad, face bent over her, wore a halo. A tree was on fire with white cockatoos. The dam wall shone like a bride's skirt. The star-covered lake moved inside her. In the car our faces glowed. The sky pressed its bright face to the window.At home our mother noticed the stain on her shorts, and in the toilet even the blood on her underpants shone.'Do not be afraid,' whispered Nanna at the toilet door. She said the prayer for young girls who are menstruating.'I'm not afraid,' said Beth. "