“
I’ll find you—
Keep calling for me, Viola—
Cuz here I come.
”
”
Patrick Ness (Monsters of Men (Chaos Walking, #3))
“
one thing I don’t need
is any more apologies
i got sorry greetin me at my front door
you can keep yrs
i don’t know what to do wit em
they don’t open doors
or bring the sun back
they don’t make me happy
or get a mornin paper
didn’t nobody stop usin my tears to wash cars
cuz a sorry.
”
”
Ntozake Shange (For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf)
“
Now I know who you are
U got nothin' on me, I see
I should've known it from the start
You can't tell me lies
Don't even try cuz
This is goodbye
Goodbye
”
”
Demi Lovato
“
Back of a bike is comin' for ya and soon too, cuz baby the way you’re lookin’ at me is tellin’ me you want it. And you want it bad."
- Deuce to Eva (Undeniable)
”
”
Madeline Sheehan
“
When it comes to you darlin’ I got no fuckin’ sense. You fuckin’ pull me in until you’re all I can fuckin’ see and suddenly I can’t fuckin’ breathe but I don’t care cuz, babe, you’re you, and I ain’t never met anyone as fuckin’ perfect as you.
”
”
Madeline Sheehan (Undeniable (Undeniable, #1))
“
I wanna get back
To the old days
When the phone would ring
And I knew it was you
I wanna talk back
And get yelled at
Fight for nothing
Like we used to
Oh kiss me
Like you mean it
Like you miss me
Cuz I know you do
I wanna get back, get back
I wanna get back, get back
I wanna get back, get back
Get Back
”
”
Demi Lovato
“
I am Preachers little girl. And I'm gonna be just like him when I grow up. I'm gonna have a Fatboy but I want mine to be sparkly and I want a pink helmet with skulls on it. And instead of being the club President, I'm gonna be the club Queen cuz I'm gonna marry the biggest, scariest biker in the whole world and he's gonna let me do whatever I want because he's gonna love me like crazy.
”
”
Madeline Sheehan (Undeniable (Undeniable, #1))
“
Well.. Is that all you've got?.. I hope not..cuz you haven't finished entertaining me yet..
-Gaara to Rock Lee during the Chunin preliminary
”
”
Masashi Kishimoto
“
Viola?
Keep calling for me–
And I’ll keep searching for you–
And I’ll find you–
You bet yer life on it–
I’ll find you–
Keep calling for me, Viola–
Cuz here I come.
”
”
Patrick Ness (Monsters of Men (Chaos Walking, #3))
“
Don't turn around.
'Cuz you will get punched in the face.
Don't make this worse.
You've already gone and got me mad.
It's too bad, I'm not sad
It's casting over.
Just one of those things you'll have to get over it.
”
”
Avril Lavigne
“
Will you walk with me out on the wire, cuz baby, I'm just a scared and lonely rider, but I gotta know how it feels... I want to know love is wild, babe, I want to know love is real.
”
”
Bruce Springsteen
“
Sometimes I feel like I don't belong anywhere, & it's gonna take so long for me to get to somewhere, Sometimes I feel so heavy hearted, but I can't explain cuz I'm so guarded. But that's a lonely road to travel, and a heavy load to bear. And it's a long, long way to heaven but I gotta get there
Can you send an angel?
Can you send me an angel...to guide me.
”
”
Alicia Keys
“
I could have guessed it all along, cuz now some drama queen is gonna write a song for me
”
”
Emilie Autumn
“
I want to see the front of you.”
“That’s what all the girls say.”
“Do you expect me to roll you over? ’Cuz I will.”
“Your mate’s not going to like this.”
“As if that’s going to bother you?”
“True. It actually makes it worth the effort.”
With a groan, he shoved his palms into the shimmering silver pool of blood beneath him, and flopped over like the side of beef he was.
“Wow,” she breathed.
“I know, right? Hung like a horse.”
“If you’re really nice—and you live through this—I’ll promise not to tell V.”
“About my size.”
She laughed a little. “No, that you assumed I’d look at you in any fashion other than professionally.
”
”
J.R. Ward (Lover Reborn (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #10))
“
Manchee comes outta the bushes and sits down next to me cuz I’ve stopped right there in the middle of a trail. He looks around to see what I might be seeing and then he says, ”Good poo, Todd.”
”I’m sure it was, Manchee.”
I’d better not get another ruddy dog when my birthday comes. What I want this year is a hunting knife like the one Ben carries on the back of his belt. Now that’s a present for a man.
“Poo,” Manchee’s says quietly.
”
”
Patrick Ness (The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1))
“
I rolled my eyes. “I feel like a zoo animal.”
Travis watched me for a moment, noted those staring, and then stood up. “I CAN’T!” he yelled. I stared in awe as the entire room jerked their heads in his direction. Travis bobbed his head a couple of times to a beat in his head.
Shepley closed his eyes. “Oh, no.”
Travis smiled. “get no….sa…tis…faction,” he sang, “I can’t get no….sat-is-fac-tion. ‘Cuz I’ve tried…and I’ve tried…and I’ve tried…and I’ve tried…,” he climbed onto the table as everyone stared, “I CAN’T GET NO!”
He pointed to the football players at the end of the table and they smiled, “I CAN’T GET NO!” they yelled in unison. The whole room clapped to the beat, then.
Travis’ sang into his fist, “When I’m drivin’ in my car, and a man comes on the…ra-di-o…he’s tellin’ me more and more…about some useless in-for-ma-tion! Supposed to fire my im-agin-a-tion! I CAN’T GET NO!
”
”
Jamie McGuire (Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful, #1))
“
It’s a trick Ben taught me to help settle my Noise. You close yer eyes and as clearly and calmly as you can you tell yerself who you are, cuz that’s what gets lost in all that Noise.
”
”
Patrick Ness (The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1))
“
VIOLA
Cuz she's here -
She came -
She came for me -
And she calls my name -
And I feel her strength coursing thru my Noise like a fire -
And the Mayor staggers back like he's been punched in the face by a row of houses -
"Ah, yes," he grunts, his hand to his head. "Your tower of strength has arrived."
"Todd!" I hear her call again -
And I take it and I use it -
Cuz I can feel her there, riding to the end of the world to find me, to save me if I needed saving -
Which I did -
”
”
Patrick Ness (Monsters of Men (Chaos Walking, #3))
“
Spackle!” Manchee barks, tho he’s too chicken to attack now that I’ve held back. “Spackle! Spackle! Spackle!”
“Shut up, Manchee,” I say.
“Spackle!”
“I said shut up!” I shout, which stops him.
“Spackle?” Manchee says, unsure of things now.
I swallow, trying to get rid of the pressure in my throat, the unbelieveable sadness that comes and comes as I look at it looking back at me. Knowledge is dangerous and men lie and the world keeps changing, whether I want it to or not.
Cuz, it ain’t a Spackle.
“It’s a girl,” I say.
It’s a girl.
”
”
Patrick Ness (The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1))
“
i am really colored & really sad sometimes & you hurt me
more than i ever danced outta/ i am ready to die like a lily in the
desert/ & i cdnt let you in on it cuz i didnt know/ here
is what i have/ poems/ big thighs/ lil tits/ &
so much love/ will you take it from me this one time/
please this is for you
”
”
Ntozake Shange (For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf)
“
Now that’s what I call magic—seein’ all that, dealin’ with all that, and still goin’ on. It’s sittin’ up all night with some poor old man who’s leavin’ the world, taking away such pain as you can, comfortin’ their terror, seein’ ‘em safely on their way…and then cleanin’ ‘em up, layin’ ‘em out, making ‘em neat for the funeral, and helpin’ the weeping widow strip the bed and wash the sheets—which is, let me tell you, no errand for the fainthearted—and stayin’ up the next night to watch over the coffin before the funeral, and then going home and sitting down for five minutes before some shouting angry man comes bangin’ on your door ‘cuz his wife’s havin’ difficulty givin’ birth to their first child and the midwife’s at her wits’ end and then getting up and fetching your bag and going out again…We all do that, in our own way, and she does it better’n me, if I was to put my hand on my heart. That is the root and heart and soul and center of witchcraft, that is. The soul and center!
”
”
Terry Pratchett (A Hat Full of Sky (Discworld, #32; Tiffany Aching, #2))
“
Thanks cuz your hate is what gave me this strength.
”
”
Eminem
“
Todd!” she says again but this time in a way that asks me to look at her and I do and she stops Angharrad at the edge of the square and she’s looking at me, looking right into my eyes–
And I read her–
And I know exactly what she’s thinking–
And my Noise and my heart and my head fill up fit to burst, fill up like I’m gonna explode–
Cuz she’s saying–
She’s saying with her eyes and her face and her whole self–
“I know,” I say back to her, my voice husky. “Me, too.”
And then I turn to the Mayor and I’m filled with her, with her love for me and my love for her–
And it makes me big as an effing mountain–
And I take it and I slam all of it into the Mayor–
”
”
Patrick Ness (Monsters of Men (Chaos Walking, #3))
“
Once upon a time, I believe it was a Tuesday when I caught your eye, we got onto something, I hold on to the night. You looked me in the eye and told me you loved me. Were you just kidding, cuz it seems to me, this thing is breaking down we almost never speak. I don't feel welcome anymore. Baby what happened please tell me cuz one second is perfect now you're halfway out the door.
And I stood at the phone, you still haven't called. And you feel so below you, can't feel nothing at all. And I flashback to when he said forever & always.
”
”
Taylor Swift
“
There's something I have to say," I said seriously, looking her in the eye.
She smiled. "Oookay." She was mocking me-mocking my tone-but I didn't care.
"Okay. Here it is. I love you," I said. "And I never, ever wanted to hurt you. It's like, the number one thing I never want to do, but somehow, I keep doing it. And I'm sorry, I just...that's all I wanted to say all this time. All I was trying to do...with that thing with your dad, not telling you...was not to hurt you. And I'm sorry that I did.
Alley stared at me.
"And I'm sorry that I did it again. With the Chloe thing. Which was stupid. Like, really, really, stupid. And I-"
"Can you just stop, for a second?" Ally said, holding up a hand.
"What?" I said.
"Can you say the first part again?" she asked, rolling her fingers around for a rewind.
I racked my brain.
"Um...I love you?" I said.
"That's the part, Cuz I love you, too.
”
”
Kieran Scott (He's So Not Worth It (He's So/She's So, #2))
“
There once was a man who was sore
'Cuz his wife wouldn't open the door.
Celibacy
is just not for me
Let me in, you cock-teasing whore.
”
”
Jake Wizner (Spanking Shakespeare)
“
I want to wear his initial on a chain round my neck not because he owns me but cuz he really knows me, which is more than they can say. - Call It What You Want
”
”
Taylor Swift
“
Russell?”
“Yeah! You got my back now?” Russell asks in a sour tone, looking over the railing from the tower above. “’Cuz one of them freaky demon things almost ate me after y’all left!”
“A Riser nearly ate you?” Reed asks with humor in his tone
“Yeah, whatever—it’s not funny!” he calls down, sounding irritated. “Next time, I want Zee for my wingman.”
“That is because I am the ultimate assassin,” Zephyr replies from behind Reed.
”
”
Amy A. Bartol (Incendiary (The Premonition, #4))
“
He jumped down, and then leaned across the table into my face, “And I’m tryin’ to make some girl….tell me, uh baby better come back, maybe next week, ‘cuz you see I’m. On. A losin’ streak! I CAN’T GET NO! Uh no, no, no!
”
”
Jamie McGuire (Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful, #1))
“
My rock candy passion is bittersweet
And armed to the teeth
Cuz she would rather fall in chocolate
Than fall in love.. Especially with me!
”
”
Owl City (Owl City - All Things Bright and Beautiful Piano, Vocal and Guitar Chords)
“
Hazel's immortal steed, the lightning-fast Arion, gave me the side-eye and nickered as if to say, This fool ain’t no Apollo.
“Good to see you too, cuz,” I grumbled.
”
”
Rick Riordan (The Tyrant’s Tomb (The Trials of Apollo, #4))
“
Buddhism suits me 'cuz nobody's in charge. Nobody's decidin' for me if I'm good or bad, goin' to heaven or hell. It's just me workin' on my head, you workin' your head, the friggin' Dalai Lama workin' on his head.
”
”
Ramez Naam (Nexus (Nexus, #1))
“
JESUS: Judas! … Judas, don’t you know what would happen the very instant you got down on your knees?
JUDAS: Why on my knees? They shoulda buried me standing up—’cuz I been on my knees my whole life! You left me.
JUDAS is slowly reverting to his frozen catatonic state.
JESUS: I’m right here.
JUDAS: I would have never believed that you could have left me.
JESUS: I never left you.
JUDAS: That you didn’t love me.
JESUS: I do love you.
JUDAS: Why … didn’t you make me good enough … so that you could’ve loved me?
JESUS: … Please take my hands, Judas. Please.
JUDAS: Where are they?
JESUS: Right here.
JUDAS: I can’t see them.
JESUS: They’re right here.
JUDAS: Where are you going?!
JESUS: I’m right here.
JUDAS: Don’t leave me!
JESUS: I’m here.
JUDAS: I can’t hurt …
JESUS: I love you, Judas.
JUDAS: I can’t …
JESUS: Please stay.
JUDAS: I can’t hurt …
JESUS: Please love me, Judas.
JUDAS: I can’t.
JUDAS is frozen again.
”
”
Stephen Adly Guirgis (The Last Days of Judas Iscariot)
“
I love being white. Seriously, I really do. If you're not white, your missing out. 'Cuz this shit is thoroughly good. Let me clear this up by the way: I'm not saying white people are better. I'm saying that BEING white is clearly better. Who could even argue? If it was an option I would re-up every year! 'Oh yeah, I'll take white again. Absolutely.' Here's how great it is to be white: if I would have a time machine I could go to any time and it would be awesome when I get there! That is exclusively a white privilege! Black people can't fuck with time machines! .
”
”
Louis C.K.
“
The shirt was a screen print of a famous Surrealist artwork by René Magritte in which he drew a pipe and then beneath it wrote in cursive Ceci n’est pas une pipe. (“This is not a pipe.”)
“I just don’t get that shirt,” Mom said.
“Peter Van Houten will get it, trust me.
There are like seven thousand Magritte references in An Imperial Affliction.”
“But it is a pipe.”
“No, it’s not,” I said. “It’s a drawing of a pipe. Get it? All representations of a thing are inherently abstract. It’s very clever.”
“How did you get so grown up that you understand things that confuse your ancient mother?” Mom asked. “It seems like just yes-terday that I was telling seven-year-old Hazel why the sky was blue. You thought I was a genius back then.”
“Why is the sky blue?” I asked.
“Cuz,” she answered. I laughed.
”
”
John Green (The Fault in Our Stars)
“
Give Your Heart A Break lyrics
The day I first met you
You told me you'd never fall in love
But now that I get you
I know fear is what it really was
Now here we are, so close
Yet so far, haven't I passed the test?
When will you realize
Baby, I'm not like the rest
Don't wanna break your heart
I wanna give your heart a break
I know you're scared it's wrong
Like you might make a mistake
There's just one life to live
And there's no time to waste, to waste
So let me give your heart a break
Give your heart a break
Let me give your heart a break
Your heart a break
Oh, yeah yeah
On Sunday, you went home alone
There were tears in your eyes
I called your cell phone, my love
But you did not reply
The world is ours, if you want it
We can take it, if you just take my hand
There's no turning back now
Baby, try to understand
Don't wanna break your heart
Wanna give your heart a break
I know you're scared it's wrong
Like you might make a mistake
There's just one life to live
And there's no time to waste, to waste
So let me give your heart a break
Give your heart a break
Let me give your heart a break
Your heart a break
There's just so much you can take
Give your heart a break
Let me give your heart a break
Your heart a break
Oh, yeah yeah
When your lips are on my lips
And our hearts beat as one
But you slip right out of my fingertips
Every time you run, whoa
Don't wanna break your heart
Wanna give your heart a break
I know you're scared it's wrong
Like you might make a mistake
There's just one life to live
And there's no time to waste, to waste
So let me give your heart a break
Cuz you've been hurt before
I can see it in your eyes
You try to smile it away
Some things, you can't disguise
Don't wanna break your heart
Baby, I can ease the ache, the ache
So, let me give your heart a break
Give your heart a break
Let me give your heart a break
Your heart a break
There's just so much you can take
Give your heart a break
Let me give your heart a break
Your heart a break
Oh yeah,yeah
The day I first met you
You told me you'd never fall in love
”
”
Demi Lovato
“
Travis watched me for a moment, noted those staring, and then stood up. “I CAN’T!” he yelled. I stared in awe as the entire room jerked their heads in his direction. Travis bobbed his head a couple of times to a beat in his head.
Shepley closed his eyes. “Oh, no.”
Travis smiled. “get no….sa…tis…faction,” he sang, “I can’t get no….sat-is-fac-tion. ‘Cuz I’ve tried…and I’ve tried…and I’ve tried…and I’ve tried…,” he climbed onto the table as everyone stared, “I CAN’T GET NO!
”
”
Jamie McGuire (Beautiful Disaster (Beautiful, #1))
“
Nobody knows what horrors I have saved the world from 'cuz people can't see what never happened. All evil flows from independence, and independence is your choice. If I were to simply revoke all the choices of independence, the world as you know it would cease to exist and love would have no meaning. This world is not a playground where I keep all my children free from evil. Evil is the chaos of this age that you brought to me, but it will not have the final say. Now it touches everyone that I love, those who follow me and those who don't. If I take away the consequences of people's choices, I destroy the possibilities of love. Love that is forced is no love at all.
”
”
William Paul Young
“
Pain,without love
Pain, I can't get enough
Pain, I like it rough cuz I'd rather feel Pain than nothing at all.
You're sick of feeling numb
You're not the only one
I'll take you by the hand and I'll show you a world that you can understand
This life is filled with hurt
When happiness doesn't work
Trust me, and take my hand
When the lights go out you will understand
(repeat)
Anger and agony are better than misery
Trust me, I've got a plan
When the lights go off you will understand
(chorus)
I know (4)
That you're wounded
You know(4)
That I'm here to save you
You know (4)
I'm always here for you
I know (4)
That you'll thank me later
Pain,without love
Pain, I can't get enough
Pain, I like it rough cuz I'd rather feel Pain than nothing at all.
Pain,without love
Pain, I can't get enough
Pain, I like it rough cuz I'd rather feel Pain than nothing at all.
Rather feel Pain than nothing at all
Rather feel Pain!!
”
”
Three Days Grace (Three Days Grace - One-X (Recorded Versions Guitar))
“
Cuz I can count on one hand the men who’ve loved me, not in the Biblical sense—I don’t have enough digits for that—but who have truly loved me.
”
”
Shannon Celebi (After Spring Comes (Small Town Ghosts))
“
And tonight I'm feelin like an astronaut, sending sos from this tiny box,and i lost the signal when i lifted off, now i'm stuck up here and the world forgot, can i please come down? Cuz i'm tired of drifting round and round....can i please come down? Now I lie awake and scream in my zero gravity...and its starting to weigh down on me....lets abort this mission now....CAN I PLEASE COME DOWN? So tonight I'm calling all the astronauts, all the lonely people that the world forgot, if you hear my voice, come pick me up, cuz ur all i've got...
”
”
Simple Plan
“
I wil never fight you,” she replies in a stern tone, like I have said somethin’ completely ridiculous.
“Why not? You thought I was gonna hurt ya, why not fight back?” I retort, rememberin’ how she cringed like I was gonna hit her and the shame of what I just did is back ful force.
“You’re my best friend,” she says, like that is an explanation.
“Yes, but ya thought I was gonna hurt ya so I’d say, at that point, al bets should be off,” I state clearly.
point, al bets should be off,” I state clearly.
“No. I won’t fight you for real. Ever. We can practice together, but I can’t look at you like you’re my enemy. It’s impossible for me,” she says firmly.
“So y’al would let me hurt you, rather than defend yerself?” I ask, like she has lost her mind.
“Yes,” she says.
“Why?” I ask again, ‘cuz I have to understand her reasons before I tel her how stupid I think she is for havin’ them.
“Because you’re my soul mate and I love you,” she says like I’m dense.
”
”
Amy A. Bartol
“
Will: What do I wanna way outta here for? I'm gonna live here the rest of my fuckin' life. We'll be neighbors, have little kids, take 'em to Little League up at Foley Field.
Chuckie: Look, you're my best friend, so don't take this the wrong way but, in 20 years if you're still livin' here, comin' over to my house, watchin' the Patriots games, workin' construction, I'll fuckin' kill ya. That's not a threat, that's a fact, I'll fuckin' kill ya.
Will: What the fuck you talkin' about?
Chuckie: You got somethin' none of us have...
Will: Oh, come on! What? Why is it always this? I mean, I fuckin' owe it to myself to do this or that. What if I don't want to?
Chuckie: No. No, no no no. Fuck you, you don't owe it to yourself man, you owe it to me. Cuz tomorrow I'm gonna wake up and I'll be 50, and I'll still be doin' this shit. And that's all right. That's fine. I mean, you're sittin' on a winnin' lottery ticket. And you're too much of a pussy to cash it in, and that's bullshit. 'Cause I'd do fuckin' anything to have what you got. So would any of these fuckin' guys. It'd be an insult to us if you're still here in 20 years. Hangin' around here is a fuckin' waste of your time.
”
”
Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting)
“
I knw that babies stare at me cuz they're curious or whatever, but I still kinda want to fight them. #RudeAssBaby
”
”
Gabourey Sidibe (This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare)
“
Well, if you asked me what my favorite fruit was before last night, I would've said strawberries. But that's cuz I didn't know oranges could taste so good.
”
”
Cassie Mae (Friday Night Alibi)
“
mad maddie: I GOT ACCEPTED TO SANTA CRUZ!!!!
SnowAngel: omg!!!
zoegirl: maddie!!!! yay!!!!!
mad maddie: i know! it's incredible!
SnowAngel: *squeals and hugs sweet maddie*
SnowAngel: tell us every single detail!!!
mad maddie: well, i got home from school and saw this big thick envelope on the kitchen counter, with "Santa Cruz Admissions Office" as the return address. i got really fidgety and just started screaming, right there in the house. no one was there but me, so i could be as loud as i wanted.
zoegirl: omg!!!
mad maddie: i took a deep breath and tried to calm down, but my hands were shaking. i opened the envelope and pulled out a folder that said, "Welcome to Santa Cruz!" inside was a letter that said, "Dear Madigan. You're in!"
mad maddie: isn't that cool? i LOVE that, that instead of being all prissy and formal, they're like, "you're in! yahootie!"
SnowAngel: oh maddie, i am sooooo happy for u!
mad maddie: i ran out to my car all jumping and hopping around and drove to ian's, cuz i knew neither of u would be home yet. i showed him my letter and he hugged me really hard and lifted me into the air. it was AWESOME.
zoegirl: i'm so proud of u, maddie!
SnowAngel: me 2!
”
”
Lauren Myracle (l8r, g8r (Internet Girls, #3))
“
I hate you, too,” he whispered, his mouth hovering right above mine, his body sinking deeper and deeper into me. “I hate you cuz I wanna get bored with you, but I can’t. I hate you cuz I wanna get tired of yo’ pussy, but I can’t. I hate you cuz I wanna feel annoyed when you say my name, but I can’t. I hate you cuz my muhfuckin’ dick wouldn’t even work because she didn’t smell right or feel right or sound right.
”
”
Elle Kayson (Demon's Dream)
“
Pamela Anderson: 'He called and called, leaving about twenty messages, just drunk dialing. One of them was him singing his version of the Oscar Mayer theme song:
"My baloney has a first name, it's L-A-R-G-E. My baloney has a second name, it's P-E-N-I-S. I like to use it every day and if you ask me why, I'll saaay, 'Cuz my Large Penis has a way with P-U-S-S-Y today!"
Actually that was the message that got me interested.
”
”
Tommy Lee (Tommyland)
“
Why did the first settlers come?" Hildy asks me. "Why does anyone look for a new place to live?"
"Cuz the place yer a-leaving ain't worth staying for," Tam says. "Cuz the place yer a-leaving is so bad ye gotta leave.
”
”
Patrick Ness (The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1))
“
At first, I just wanted to see the adults suffer as a result of wedding me to an immature Sejabin. But now, even without that, I'm glad I got married... Who knew it would be this fun to torment you? (Especially cuz you're slow-). Ah... If I keep having this much fun, I may never give you your divorce, no matter how much you beg and cry.
”
”
So Hee Park
“
I told you. I'm hiding. I didn't want a repeat of last night you might have a heart attack or something.”“Yeah,cuz just the voice puts me much more at ease.”
There was a brief silence between them.
“You?re being sarcastic, aren?t you?
”
”
L.A. Gilbert
“
Mom sez I like talk radio, teaching, and consulting 'cuz they ensure captive audiences. True or not (let Freudians decide), I'm driven by a "four eyed" mission to inform, instruct, intrigue, and inspire. Moreover, I like interactivity: If you're listening, I'm listening. Talk with me!
”
”
Lisa Tolliver
“
lady in blue one thing i dont need is any more apologies i got sorry greetin me at my front door you can keep yrs i dont know what to do wit em they dont open doors or bring the sun back they dont make me happy or get a mornin paper didnt nobody stop usin my tears to wash cars cuz a sorry i am simply tired of collectin ‘i didnt know i was so important to you’ i’m gonna haveta throw some away i cant get to the clothes in my closet for alla the sorries i’m gonna tack a sign to my door leave a message by the phone ‘if you called to say yr sorry call somebody else i dont use em anymore’ i
”
”
Ntozake Shange (for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf)
“
That’s it, Red, get mad. That’s the girl I know. I don’t know the other girl who walks around like a ghost,” he says angrily, “The girl who has given up everythin’ that was ever important to her just ‘cuz her boyfriend dumped her.” “I’m sorry I haven’t been yer friend. I’m sorry I busted the firewall ya bought me… and I’m sorry yer heart got broken,
”
”
Amy A. Bartol
“
Hey. Remember what I said when Shigaraki made swiss cheese outta me? 'Stop trying to with this on your own.' But I had more to say. I needed to tell you that I got stabbed cuz my body moved on its own.
You know, I always looked down on you cuz you were quirkless. You were s'posed to be beneath me...
...But I kept feeling like you were above me.
I hated it. I couldn't bear to look at you. I couldn't accept you the way you were. So I kept you at arm's length and bullied you. I tried to act all superior by rejecting you...
...But I kept losing that fight. Ever since we got into U.A....
...Nothing's worked out how I thought it would. Instead, this past year has forced me to understand your strength and my weakness.
Now I don't expect this to change a thing between us, but I gotta speak...
...My truth.
Izuku...
I'm sorry for everything.
There's nothing wrong with the path you've been walking down since inheriting One For All and following All Might's lead.
But now... You're barely standing. And those ideals alone ain't enough to get you over the wall your facing.
We're here to step in when you can't handle everything on your own. Because to live up to those ideals and surpass All Might...
...We gotta save you, the civilians at U.A., and the people on the streets. Because saving people is how we win.
We get it."
~Katsuki Bakugo -aka- Great Explosion Murder God Dynamite
”
”
Kohei Horikoshi (僕のヒーローアカデミア 33 [Boku no Hero Academia 33])
“
Dont Hate Cuz You See Me Stunning I Was Born A Young Stunner Puerto Roc
”
”
puerto roc
“
Her immortal steed, the lightning-fast Arion, gave me the side-eye and nickered as if to say, This fool ain’t no Apollo. “Good to see you too, cuz,” I grumbled.
”
”
Rick Riordan (The Tyrant's Tomb (The Trials of Apollo, #4))
“
And I’ll find you– You bet yer life on it– I’ll find you– Keep calling for me, Viola– Cuz here I come.
”
”
Patrick Ness (Monsters of Men (Chaos Walking, #3))
“
You have a pretty smile, cuz,” he tells me. “If you stay, I’ll make you smile some more.
”
”
Penelope Douglas (Credence)
“
I saw you got sick in a accident. You should get better! And you should come back cuz Mommy says nobody always is gone. It will make you happy and me too. Love, Maddie
”
”
J.M. Darhower (Ghosted)
“
I stood in the doorway, taking that image in: a Brannick, cooking breakfast for two demons. Who could have imagined that?
Nick saw me and grinned. Well, tried to. Like me-heck, like all of us-he still had that haunted look in his eyes that made friendly expressions seem sad. “’Morning, Sophia. I saved you a slice of bacon. You too, Jenna,” he said, glancing over my shoulder. His eyes flicked to my other side. “Sorry, cuz, you’re out of luck.”
Archer gave a little snort of amusement, but there was still something wary in the set of his shoulders as he moved into the kitchen. He also took the chair farthest away from Nick when he sat down. I wasn’t sure Archer and Nick could ever have anything approaching a normal relationship, but that was probably to be expected. After all, Nick’s parents had murdered Archer’s, and Nick had tried to kill Archer not once, but twice.
That would definitely make for awkward family reunions in the future.
It also didn’t help that the people who Archer considered family were now determined to kill him, too.
”
”
Rachel Hawkins (Spell Bound (Hex Hall, #3))
“
I got a calling, y’all—you should try giving me a shout if ya ever need it, ‘cuz my name is Saint Monica, I’m the mother of Saint Augustine, one of the Fathers of the Church, and ya know what? My ass gets results!
”
”
Stephen Adly Guirgis (The Last Days of Judas Iscariot: A Play)
“
Dear . . . God,” she blurted as she recoiled. The hallway beyond was filled with the males of the house, the Brothers and other fighters and Manny sitting on the floor with their backs to the bare walls, their legs stretched out, propped up, crossed at the knees or crossed at the ankles. Apparently there had been quite a bit of drinking going on, empty bottles of vodka and whiskey littered around them, glasses in hands or on thighs. “This is not as pathetic as it looks,” her Butch pointed out. “Liar,” V muttered. “It so fucking is. I think I’m going to start knitting for reals.” As the females emerged with her, each one of them registered shock, disbelief, and then a wry amusement. “Is it me,” one of the males groused, “or did we just perform our own mass castration out here?” “I think that just about sums this shit up,” somebody agreed. “I’m wearing panties under my leathers from now on. Anyone joining me?” “Lassiter already does,” V said as he got to his feet and went to Jane. “Hey.” And then it was group-reunion time. While the other pairs found one another, Butch smiled as Marissa came over to him and put out her hand to help him off the floor. As they embraced, he kissed her on the side of the neck. “Are you out of love with me now?” he murmured. “’ Cuz I’m pussy-whipped?” She leaned back in his arms. “Why? Because you pined after me while I was watching a dirty movie with my girls that wasn’t all that dirty? I think it’s actually— and brace yourself— really pretty cute.” “I’m still all man.” As she rolled her body against him, she let out a mmmm as she felt his erection. “Yes, I can tell.
”
”
J.R. Ward (Blood Kiss (Black Dagger Legacy, #1))
“
I broke his heart cuz he was nice... He was sunshine, I was midnight rain. He wanted it comfortable, I wanted that pain. He wanted a bride, I was making my own name, chasin that fame, he stayed the same. All of me changed like midnight...
”
”
Taylor Swift
“
Down through the dark trees,
You can really save me.
You're so wonderful,
And you're so beautiful.
You're like no one on earth,
It appears...
For all of my life I've been waiting, for you...
And I want to be the one,
that you take home.
Let me be the one,
cuz I'm so lonely...
Take me home.
In time you'll love me like one of your own.
Take me home, with you.
No one on earth thrills me like you do.
Take me home, with you.
No one other knows me like you do.
I'm going home...
”
”
José N. Harris
“
Hey baby love I need a girl like you
But tell me if you feel it too
I'm in delusion every minute every hour
My heart is crying out for you
[Bridge:]
I feel in heaven when I look in your eyes
I know that you are the one for me (one for me)
You drive me crazy cuz
You're one of a kind
I want your lovin'
And I want it right now
[Refrain:]
Ooh baby you're so fine
I'm gonna make you mine
Your lips they taste so sweet
You're the one for me
You're my ecstasy
You're the one I need
”
”
Backstreet Boys (Backstreet Boys -- Backstreet's Back: Piano/Vocal/Guitar)
“
Law, but ain’t the colonel full of surprises? When he told me to fetch yo’ things cuz he wanted you up here tonight, I was almost as surprised as when he hightailed it out o’ here to carry you back from Smitty’s Fort. I figure he’ll be askin’ to marry you next.
”
”
Laura Frantz (The Colonel's Lady)
“
I hope you’re ready for me,” he rasped, rolling her under him, “‘cuz in about five seconds, I’m gonna be inside you.”
“Ray Morgan, I was born ready for you,” she breathed against his ear, even as she guided him to her entrance.
He slid home with one strong thrust. Both of them froze.
”
”
Norah Wilson (Saving Grace (Serve and Protect, #2))
“
Curtis grew up to become King Cuz. A gangster well respected for his brain and his derring-do. His set, the Rollin’ Paper Chasers, was the first gang to have trained medics at their rumbles. A shoot-out would pop off at the swap meet and the stretcher-bearers would cart off the wounded to be treated in some field hospital set up behind the frontlines. You didn’t know whether to be sad or impressed. It wasn’t long after that innovation that he applied for membership to NATO. Everybody else is in NATO. Why not the Crips? You going to tell me we wouldn’t kick the shit out of Estonia?
”
”
Paul Beatty (The Sellout)
“
When I first met you, I knew, somehow, that you were going to change my life. I just didn’t know in what way. I didn’t know that you’d make me love you. And most importantly, I didn’t know that you’d make me love me. Baby, you make me see the good in myself and the good in everything on this damn earth. You chase my ghosts away, and…” He cleared his throat, and to my surprise, I saw his eyes were watering. Oh fuck. Please don’t cry, Dex, cuz I will fucking lose it. He swallowed hard, blinking tears back. “And you bring me peace. I can’t thank you enough for being in my life. And I want you there for the whole journey. Through everything—the good and the bad, the batshit crazy and the sane, the scary and the sexy. Especially the sexy. Just you and me, baby, until death do us part.” Somehow I found my voice. “Even though we’ve only known each other for eight months?” I asked quietly, afraid of his answer. But he just smiled up at me. “Time has no bearing on the truth. And what we have, that’s true as fucking anything.” He gave my hand a squeeze and reached into his pocket. I sucked in my breath, feeling all my emotions flood me at once, and watched as he took out a beautiful, sparkling ring, and held it poised at my finger. He gazed at me, and it was like I saw every moment we had with each other captured in his eyes. “Perry Palomino, kiddo, baby—will you be my wife?” I didn’t even have to think about it. “Yes!” I blurted out in a sob as the tears started
”
”
Karina Halle (Ashes to Ashes (Experiment in Terror, #8))
“
All right, see,” Wayne said, “I’ve got it figured out. I’m gonna be a rich fellow. Made loads off of the sweat and blood o’ lesser men. Only I won’t say it like that, ’cuz I’ll be in character, you see.”
“Is that so?” Marasi said, starting up the steps.
“Yup,” Wayne said, joining her. “Even brought me fancy hat.” He held up a top hat and spun it on his finger.
“That hat belongs to Waxillium.”
“No it don’t,” Wayne said, putting it on. “I gave ’im a rat for it.”
“A … rat?”
“Minus the tail,” Wayne said. “On account of this hat bein’ kinda dusty when I took it. Anyway, I’ll be the rich fellow. You be my younger brother’s daughter.
”
”
Brandon Sanderson (The Bands of Mourning (Mistborn, #6))
“
I was in the car with Trace and heard his side of the conversation with you. Sounded clear enough to me.”
“Apparently not, cuz I’m not sweet on her. What kind of dumb-ass thing is that to say? I like her, sure, even though she’s not the easiest lady to be around.”
“No?”
Jackson didn’t seem to hear her. He continued on as he pulled food from the tiny fridge and piled it on the counter. “She has her reasons for being prickly, and I know it.”
“Those reasons are?”
“And there isn’t a man alive who wouldn’t want her. She’s about the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.” He shook his head. “But I’m not sweet> about anything.” He scoffed. “That sounds like some adolescent bullshit or something.”
“You have a very limited vocabulary.”
“My balls still hurt. It’s affecting my brain.”
“Your brain is located a little low, isn’t it?”
He paused, then laughed. Shaking a loaf of bread at her, he said, “Good one. I’ll have to try to remember this sharp wit of yours.
”
”
Lori Foster (Trace of Fever (Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor, #2))
“
Billy’s voice is sarcastic, drawing her fire away from me. “Hey, Delores, it’s good to see you too. I’m great, thanks for asking. The album? Doin’ awesome—triple platinum. California? Fabulous, couldn’t be happier. Again . . .” He cups his hands around his mouth, megaphone style, “. . . thanks for asking.”
Delores’s eyes zero in on him, looking him over head to toe. Not happy with what she sees. “It’s called a razor; you should get one. If ancient man could figure it out, you’ve got a slim chance. Oh—and Pearl Jam called. They want their flannel back.”
Billy’s brows go up. “You’re criticizing my style? Really, Cruella? How many puppies had to die so you could wear that coat?”
“Eat shit.”
“Cooking again, are you? I thought the health department banned you for life the last time you tried?”
Delores opens her mouth for a rebuttal, but nothing comes out. Her glossy lips stretch slowly into a smile. “I’ve missed you, Jackass.”
Billy winks. “Right back at you, cuz.
”
”
Emma Chase (Twisted (Tangled, #2))
“
I've loved that girl all my life...And I'm more bummed about not getting the captain spot. Want to tell me what that means?' That what you've always had doesn't mean that's what you'll always get. That what you've always wanted isn't what you'll always want. I don't realize I've spoken out loud until Nic says, 'Yeah. Exactly, cuz.
”
”
Huntley Fitzpatrick (What I Thought Was True)
“
But you know, the longer you listen to this abortion debate, the more you hear this phrase “sanctity of life”. You’ve heard that. Sanctity of life. You believe in it? Personally, I think it’s a bunch of shit. Well, I mean, life is sacred? Who said so? God? Hey, if you read history, you realize that God is one of the leading causes of death. Has been for thousands of years. Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Christians all taking turns killing each other ‘cause God told them it was a good idea. The sword of God, the blood of the land, vengeance is mine. Millions of dead motherfuckers. Millions of dead motherfuckers all because they gave the wrong answer to the God question. “You believe in God?” “No.” Boom. Dead. “You believe in God?” “Yes.” “You believe in my God? “No.” Boom. Dead. “My God has a bigger dick than your God!” Thousands of years. Thousands of years, and all the best wars, too. The bloodiest, most brutal wars fought, all based on religious hatred. Which is fine with me. Hey, any time a bunch of holy people want to kill each other I’m a happy guy.
But don’t be giving me all this shit about the sanctity of life. I mean, even if there were such a thing, I don’t think it’s something you can blame on God. No, you know where the sanctity of life came from? We made it up. You know why? ‘Cause we’re alive. Self-interest. Living people have a strong interest in promoting the idea that somehow life is sacred. You don’t see Abbott and Costello running around, talking about this shit, do you? We’re not hearing a whole lot from Mussolini on the subject. What’s the latest from JFK? Not a goddamn thing. ‘Cause JFK, Mussolini and Abbott and Costello are fucking dead. They’re fucking dead. And dead people give less than a shit about the sanctity of life. Only living people care about it so the whole thing grows out of a completely biased point of view. It’s a self serving, man-made bullshit story.
It’s one of these things we tell ourselves so we’ll feel noble. Life is sacred. Makes you feel noble. Well let me ask you this: if everything that ever lived is dead, and everything alive is gonna die, where does the sacred part come in? I’m having trouble with that. ‘Cuz, I mean, even with all this stuff we preach about the sanctity of life, we don’t practice it. We don’t practice it. Look at what we’d kill: Mosquitoes and flies. ‘Cause they’re pests. Lions and tigers. ‘Cause it’s fun! Chickens and pigs. ‘Cause we’re hungry. Pheasants and quails. ‘Cause it’s fun. And we’re hungry. And people. We kill people… ‘Cause they’re pests. And it’s fun!
And you might have noticed something else. The sanctity of life doesn’t seem to apply to cancer cells, does it? You rarely see a bumper sticker that says “Save the tumors.”. Or “I brake for advanced melanoma.”. No, viruses, mold, mildew, maggots, fungus, weeds, E. Coli bacteria, the crabs. Nothing sacred about those things. So at best the sanctity of life is kind of a selective thing. We get to choose which forms of life we feel are sacred, and we get to kill the rest. Pretty neat deal, huh? You know how we got it? We made the whole fucking thing up! Made it up!
”
”
George Carlin (More Napalm and Silly Putty)
“
Just A Dream Lyrics
I was thinkin about her
thinkin about me
thinkin about us
what we gunna be
open my eyes...
it was only just a dream
so i travel back down that road
wish you come back
no one knows
i realize, it was only just a dream
i was at the top
now its like i'm in the basement
number 1 spot
now shes finding a replacement
i swear now i cant take it
knowing somebodys got my baby
now you wait around, baby i cant think
i should put it down, shoulda got that ring
cuz i can still feel it in the air
see your pretty face
run my fingers through her hair
my love
my life
my shawty
my wife
she left me, i'm tight
cuz i knew that it just aint right
i was thinkin about her
thinkin about me
thinkin about us
where we gunna be
open my eyes...
it was only just a dream
so i travel back down that road
wish you come back
no one knows
i realize, it was only just a dream
and i be ridin
and i swear i see your face and every time
i try to get my usher on but i cant let it burn
and i just hope that she notice she the only one i yearn for
no more sooner will i learn
didn't give her all my love
i guess now i got my payback
now i'm in the club thinking all about my baby
hey
she was so easy to love
but wait, i guess that love wasnt enough
i'm goin through it every time that i'm alone
now i'm wishing she would just pick up the phone
but she made a decision that she wanted to move on
cuz i was wrong
i was thinkin about her
thinkin about me
thinkin about us
where we gunna be
open my eyes...
it was only just a dream
so i travel back down that road
wish you come back
no one knows
i realize, it was only just a dream
if you ever loved somebody put your hands up x2
and now theyre gone and you wish you could give them everything (x2)
i was thinkin about her
thinkin about me
thinkin about us
where we gunna be
open my eyes...
it was only just a dream
so i travel back down that road
wish you come back
no one knows
i realize, it was only just a dream
”
”
Nelly
“
To P.J. (2 yrs old who sed write
a poem for me in Portland, Oregon)
if i cud ever write a
poem as beautiful as u
little 2/yr/old/brotha,
I wud laugh, jump, leap
up and touch the stars
cuz u be the poem i try for
each time i pick up a pen and paper.
u. and Morani and Mungu
be our blue/blk/stars that
will shine on our lives and
makes us finally BE.
if i cud ever write a poem as beautiful
as u, little 2/yr/old/brotha,
poetry wud go out of bizness.
”
”
Sonia Sanchez
“
Q: What are in your eyes the major defects in the West? A: The West has come to regard the values of freedom, the yardstick of human rights, as something Western. Many of them [westerns] specially in Europe take the values and the institutions on freedom, the institutions on science, curiosity, the individual, i mean, the rule of law and they’ve come to take that all for granted that they are not aware of the threat against it and not aware of the fact that you have to sustain it day by day as with all man made things. I mean, a building for example, the roof will leak, the paint will fall and you have to repaint it, you have to maintain it all the time it seems that people have forgotten that and perhaps part of the reason is because the generation that is now enjoying all the freedoms in the West is not the generations that built it; these are generations that inherited and like companies, family companies, often you’ll see the first generation or the second generation are almost always more passionate about the brand and the family company and name and keeping it all int he family and then the third generation live, use, take the money and they are either overtaken by bigger companies, swallowed up or they go bankrupt and I think there is an analogy there in that the generations after the second world war living today in Europe, United States may be different but I’m here much too short to say anything about it, is that there are people who are so complacent, they’ve always been free, they just no longer know what it is that freedom costs and for me that would be making the big mistake and you can see it. The education system in Europe where history is no longer an obligatory subject, science is no longer an obligatory subject, school systems have become about, look at Holland, our country where they have allowed parents, in the name of freedom, to build their own schools that we now have schools founded on what the child wants so if the child wants to play all day long then that is an individual freedom of the child and so it’s up to the child to decide whether to do math or to clay and now in our country in Holland, in the name of freedom of education, the state pays for these schools and I was raving against muslim schools and i thought about this cuz i was like you know ok in muslin schools at least they learn to count.
”
”
Ayaan Hirsi Ali
“
So I saw someone with one of those "home of the free because of the brave" shirts a few days ago. I almost laughed. I tried not to because of the upcoming Veterans day… I guess. Home of the Slaves because of the cowards, I think would be more appropriate. Look at these American wars. Vietnam… Iraq… is that really the “brave” thing to do? Beating up on little countries cuz u’r trying to look brave huh? Cowards. And then they tell me to go work at Kroger? Are you insane? Don’t you know my fucking SAT score, you dumb fuck? Why don’t you go and invade Croatia or something instead. Idiots.
”
”
Dmitry Dyatlov
“
Their jaws dropped.
Mom had been taking the lid off the tub of tonight’s dinner--fried chicken. Even she looked stunned.
I felt a need to explain. “My eye turned black. I asked Tiffany to cover up the bruising.”
“Well, she did an outstanding job,” Mom said.
“Took me three hours,” Tiffany said. “I need to get ready to go to the hospital. Have fun at Dave and Bubba’s.”
She left, and I wondered if I should go back upstairs, step into the shower, and wash everything off. Display my bruised face with pride.
“Do I need to put on a suit for this place?” Jason asked. “’Cuz I thought anything named Bubba’s would be casual.
”
”
Rachel Hawthorne (The Boyfriend League)
“
His entire body was tense. "And you can't fuckin' talk to anybody that wants to put their hands down your goddamn pants." "What?" Oh lord. Oh dear, heavenly lord. "Why are you being like this?” “‘Cuz. I. Don’t. Fuckin’. Like. It.” God, grant me strength. “Dex, I don’t mean to sound like a complete bitch but...I don’t care if you don’t like it. He was asking me out on a date, you stubborn idiot. That doesn't mean he's planning on—" Nostrils flared. “Don’t finish that sentence, baby. I’m about this fuckin’ close to losin’ it.” He reached up to rub his fingertips along the sides of his mouth, shaking his head with a gruff groan.
”
”
Mariana Zapata (Under Locke)
“
Guess what, Grandpa!” she says, not giving him time to guess before she continues. “I seen that Breezeo got sick in an accident, so Mommy told me I could draw him a picture!”
My father’s eyes go wide as he shoots me a look.
“I told her we’d find an address and mail it to him,” I explain. “You know, like fan mail.”
“Makes sense.”
“You wanna draw one, Grandpa?” Maddie asks. “I bet mine would be better, but you can try, too.”
He scowls at her. “What makes you think yours would be better?”
“ ‘Cuz I’m best at drawing,” she says. “You’re good, too, but Mommy can’t draw.”
“Hey,” I say defensively. “I can draw some seriously cool stars.”
Maddie dramatically rolls her eyes, making sure I see it, announcing, “That don’t count!” before making her way inside.
“You heard the girl,” my father says, grinning and nudging me when I join him on the porch. “Your stars don’t count, kiddo.
”
”
J.M. Darhower (Ghosted)
“
(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay"
Sittin' in the morning sun
I'll be sittin' when the evening comes
Watching the ships roll in
Then I watch them roll away again, yeah
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time
I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the Frisco Bay
Cuz I've had nothing to live for
And look like nothing's gonna come my way
So, I'm just gon' sit on the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time
Looks like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same, listen
Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone, listen
Two thousand miles I roam
Just to make this dock my home, now
I'm just gon' sit at the dock of a bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh
Sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time
[Ends in harmonic whistling]
”
”
Otis Redding
“
A hundred bucks,cuz.And judging by that spectacular toss over the rail, I'd say you earned it."
Wyatt tucked the money into his pocket. "It was pretty spectacular, wasn't it? And it worked. It got the attention of our pretty little medic."
Jesse,Amy,and Zane stopped dead in their tracks.
Amy laughed. "You did all that to get Lee's attention?"
"Nothing else I've tried has worked. I was desperate."
Jesse shook his head in disbelief. "Did you ever think about just buying her a beer at the Fortune Saloon? I'd think that would be a whole lot simpler than risking broken bones leaping off a bull."
"But not nearly as memorable.The next time she sees me at the saloon, she'll know my name."
Zane threw back his head and roared. "So will every shrink from here to Helena. You have to be certifiably nuts to do all that just for the sake of a pretty face."
"Hey." Wyatt slapped his cousin on the back. "Whatever works.'"
Zane pulled out a roll of bills. "Ten says she's already written you off as someone to avoid at all costs."
Wyatt's smile brightened. "Chump change. If you want to bet me, make it a hundred."
"You got it." Zane pulled a hundred from the roll and handed it to Jesse. "Now match it, cuz. I was going to bet that you can't persuade Marilee Trainor to even speak to you again. But just to make things interesting, I'm betting that you can't get her to have dinner with you tonight."
"Dinner? Tonight? Now you're pushing the limits,cuz. She's already refused me."
"Put up or shut up."
Wyatt arched a brow. "You want me to kiss and tell?"
"I don't say anything about kissing. I don't care what you do,after you get her to have dinner with you.That's the bet. So if you're ready to admit defeat, just give me the hundred now."
"Uh-oh." Wyatt stopped dead in his tracks. "Is that a dare?"
Amy stood between them,shaking her head. "You sound like two little kids."
Wyatt shot her a wicked grin. "Didn't you know that all men are just boys at heart?"
He reached into his pocket and handed Zane a bill before he strolled away.
Over his shoulder he called, "I'll catch you back at the ranch. You can pay me then."
He left his cousins laughing and shaking their heads.
”
”
R.C. Ryan (Montana Destiny)
“
And we run and Manchee lets out a frightened yelp and leaps past me but I see a croc rear up outta the rushes in front of him and it jumps for him but Manchee’s so scared he jumps even higher, higher than he really knows how, and the croc’s teeth snap on empty air and it lands with a splash next to me looking mighty pissed off and I hear its Noise hiss Whirler boy and I’m running and it jumps for me and I’m not even thinking and I’m turning and I’m pushing my hand up and the croc comes crashing down on top of me and its mouth is open and its claws are out and I think I’m about to be dead and I’m thrashing my way back outta the muck up onto the dry bit and it’s on its hind legs coming after me outta the rushes and it takes a minute of me yelling and of Manchee barking his head off before I realize that it’s not actually coming after me no more, that the croc’s dead, that my new knife is right thru its head, still stuck in the croc and the only reason the croc’s still thrashing is cuz I’m still thrashing and I shake the croc off the knife and the croc falls to the ground and I sort of just fall over too in celebrayshun of not being dead.
”
”
Patrick Ness (The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking, #1))
“
[J.Ivy:]
We are all here for a reason on a particular path
You don't need a curriculum to know that you are part of the math
Cats think I'm delirious, but I'm so damn serious
That's why I expose my soul to the globe, the world
I'm trying to make it better for these little boys and girls
I'm not just another individual, my spirit is a part of this
That's why I get spiritual, but I get my hymns from Him
So it's not me, it's He that's lyrical
I'm not a miracle, I'm a heaven-sent instrument
My rhythmatic regimen navigates melodic notes for your soul and your mental
That's why I'm instrumental
Vibrations is what I'm into
Yeah, I need my loot by rent day
But that is not what gives me the heart of Kunte Kinte
I'm tryina give us "us free" like Cinque
I can't stop, that's why I'm hot
Determination, dedication, motivation
I'm talking to you, my many inspirations
When I say I can't, let you or self down
If I were of the highest cliff, on the highest riff
And you slipped off the side and clinched on to your life in my grip
I would never, ever let you down
And when these words are found
Let it been known that God's penmanship has been signed with a language called love
That's why my breath is felt by the deaf
And why my words are heard and confined to the ears of the blind
I, too, dream in color and in rhyme
So I guess I'm one of a kind in a full house
Cuz whenever I open my heart, my soul, or my mouth
A touch of God reigns out
[Chorus]
[Jay-Z (Kanye West)]
Who else you know been hot this long,
(Oh Ya, you know we ain't finished)
Started from nothing but he got this strong,
(The ROC is in the building)
Built the ROC from a pebble, pedalled rock before I met you,
Pedalled bikes, got my nephews pedal bikes because they special,
Let you tell that man I'm falling,
Well somebody must've caught him,
Cause every fourth quarter, I like to Mike Jordan 'em,
Number one albums, what I got like four of dem,
More of dem on the way,
The Eight Wonder on the way,
Clear the way, I'm here to stay,
Y'all can save the chitter chat, this and that, this and Jay,
Dissin' Jay 'ill get you mased,
When I start spitting them lyrics, niggas get very religious,
Six Hail Maries, please Father forgive us,
Young, the Archbishop, the Pope John Paul of y'all niggas,
The way y'all all follow Jigga,
Hov's a living legend and I tell you why,
Everybody wanna be Hov and Hov still alive.
”
”
Kanye West
“
White Light"
[Verse 1]
You're different
I like it
You're from another planet, huh?
I'd like you to take me there
You can fly your alien spaceship
You're different
Don't hide it
That's what made me notice you
There you were
Sitting by yourself
There you were
Hey, hey, hey
[Hook]
You are a white light
Stepping out of the dark
You are a white light
But you cover it up
Do you wanna fly me miles away
And be alone, alone?
Cuz I don't mind if we never go
Never go home
Stepping out of the dark
[Verse 2]
We're shoulder to shoulder
Leaving for your universe
And I can't control you
(No I don't no I don't)
Yeah, I can't control you
And there you are
So self-contained
There you are there
[Hook]
You are a white light
Stepping out of the dark
You are a white light
But you cover it up
Do you wanna fly me miles away
And be alone, alone?
Cuz I don't mind if we never go
Never go home
Stepping out of the dark
You are a white light
Stepping out of the dark
You are a white light
But you cover it up
Do you wanna fly me miles away
And be alone, alone?
Cuz I don't mind if we never go
Never go home
Stepping out of the dark
Cuz I don't mind if we never go
Don't mind if we never go
Never go home
”
”
Shura
“
Get off your horse, Jack."
"Why don't you just ride outta here, missy, and I'll forget this ever happened."
Willow's voice trembled with fury. "Get off your horse," she repeated. "Slow and easy."
Still grinning his contempt, he did as he asked.
"That's good. Now, real slow like, take your gunbelt off and toss it my way."
"Like hell!" A shot rang out and nicked a chunk of leather from his boot. Cursing, he unbuckled his gun and tossed it at her mare's feet.
"Now,strip them britches off, underwear, too," she ordered.
"You little shi-" Bang! Jack's hat whizzed off his head. He dropped his pants in a puddle over his boots, trying his best to shelter his privates from her view.
"My,my,Jack." Willow laughed humorlessly. "Is that puny thing you're trying to hide the same thing you were threatening me with?"
If looks could kill, Willow would have been dead and buried ten times over, then and there.
"Take them confounded boots off so's you can get your pants clear off," she ordered in mock exasperation.
He wheeled around, gaining a modicum of privacy while he complied.
"You're puny all over, Jack. You got the boniest bee-hind I ever did see. You sure you ain't picked up a worm somewheres?"
"You're gonna pay for this,you little slut!"
"Shut your filthy mouth and pick them pants off the ground and toss 'em over here at my horse's feet. Then you can put your boots back on."
He gave the pants a toss, put his boots on, and turned around to face her, cuping his privates in his hands.
"Okay,Jack, finish the job. You've been real generous but I'm a greedy cuss. Give me the shirt off your back, too."
Cursing, he again turned around and obeyed.
"Oh,ah,Jack, you better reach behind you there,and get your hat. I'll let you keep it. We wouldn't want your bald spot to get sunburned."
Scofield now stood in nothing but his boots, using his hat to shield his lower half. Humiliated, the gunslinger's eyes burned with bloody intent. Willow suddenly regretted her damnable quick temper and realized the folly of her reckless retaliation. No doubt,the heinous man would seek revenge. But the damage was done and the man was so mad that backing off now would be the same as signing her death warrant.
"Step away from your horse and start walking toward the ranch, Scofield."
"You're out of your mind!"
"Maybe,but I bet you'll think twice before threatening to poke that puny thing at another lady."
"You? A lady? Ha!"
Willow's temper flared anew. "Walk, Jack. Real fast. Cuz if you don't, I'm gonna use your puny thing for target practice." Her bullet kicked up the dust at his feet and started him on his way.
”
”
Charlotte McPherren (Song of the Willow)
“
Wow,” he says. “I can sure feel the love.”
Maddie smiles, not sensing his sarcasm. “It’s ‘cuz I love you.”
His expression shifts. I see it as those words strike him. “You love me?”
Maddie laughs. “Duh.”
Duh. She says that like he’s being ridiculous asking that question, like he’s supposed to just know, but love isn’t something he’s had a lot of.
“I love you, too,” he says.
“More than bacon?” she asks, munching on a piece.
“More than bacon,” he says quietly. “More than everything.”
She smiles at that and continues to eat her breakfast, satisfied by his answer. My chest aches, my heart feeling like it wants to burst. I sometimes wonder about his words, I question his feelings, his wishes, his wants, but from this moment on, I’ll never doubt that he loves her, because I know he means it. I believe it.
We eat breakfast.
They chat. They laugh.
I mourn.
I mourn the years they lost, the time that was wasted, the love that maybe just wasn’t quite enough to overcome his demons sooner. Every smile they share today is the product of years of tears, of years of fighting and struggling and hoping and mourning but never, ever, ever quitting or giving up, because we’re here. And maybe it won’t last, I don’t know. Maybe tomorrow something will happen and the tears will come back, but I’m grateful for the moment, knowing he loves her more than anything
”
”
J.M. Darhower (Ghosted)
“
When breakfast is finished, Mrs. McKleski hands out plates, slipping one in front of me on the table before Maddie settles in on my right with her own plate piled high with bacon. Jonathan’s comes last, and I stifle a laugh as Mrs. McKleski shoves it at him, the food sloppily thrown on it, his toast burned and bacon extra-crispy.
“Uh, thanks,” Jonathan says, picking up a piece of bacon and taking a bite, cringing as it crunches.
“Don’t like it? Don’t eat,” Mrs. McKleski says. “Nobody likes a whiner, Cunningham.”
She strolls out of the kitchen, and he watches her as she leaves, mumbling, “All I said was thanks.”
“You didn’t say it with meaning,” she calls back at him. “It’s no wonder you haven’t gotten an Oscar. You’re terrible.”
I stifle another laugh as Jonathan glares at the doorway.
“Don’t worry,” Maddie says, munching on a piece of bacon. “You can get the Oscar someday.”
He grins at her. “You think so?”
She nods. “All you gots to do is get better at it.”
This time, I do laugh.
“Wow,” he says. “I can sure feel the love.”
Maddie smiles, not sensing his sarcasm. “It’s ‘cuz I love you.”
His expression shifts. I see it as those words strike him. “You love me?”
Maddie laughs. “Duh.”
Duh. She says that like he’s being ridiculous asking that question, like he’s supposed to just know, but love isn’t something he’s had a lot of.
“I love you, too,” he says.
“More than bacon?” she asks, munching on a piece.
“More than bacon,” he says quietly. “More than everything.”
She smiles at that and continues to eat her breakfast, satisfied by his answer.
”
”
J.M. Darhower (Ghosted)
“
Madison turns to me. “Do you wanna play?”
“Of course,” I say, following her to her bedroom, figuring it best to give her mother some space, lest I push her too far and she punch me in the face.
I’m secure in my manhood. I have no qualms playing with dolls. So when Madison shoves a Barbie at me, I don’t even balk. I’ll give her the best goddamn Barbie performance she ever saw, if that’s what she wants.
I stare at the Barbie, though, as Madison digs through a toy box. It looks different than the ones my sister played with growing up. This Barbie looks more like a scientist than a stripper, fully clothed, her hair still intact.
“Found it!” Madison says, holding up another doll. I freeze when I look at it, seeing the familiar white and blue suit and the head of blond hair. You’ve gotta be kidding me.
They made me into a doll. Or him, rather. Breezeo. Not an action figure, no—a straight up collector’s edition Barbie doll.
“I’ll be Breezeo and Barbie can be Maryanne for you,” she says, sitting down on the floor and patting the wood beside her.
“Wait, shouldn’t I be Breezeo?”
“You’re him all the time, so it’s my turn now.”
Well, can’t argue with that logic.
“Barbie’s got the wrong color hair,” I say. “Don’t you have a Maryanne doll?”
“No, ‘cuz it costs too many dollars, but you can pretend, right?”
“Right,” I say, although she suddenly looks skeptical, like she doubts my abilities. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”
She starts things off. I don’t know what’s happening, and she doesn’t give me any direction, so I’m improvising. She switches things up on me, throwing in plot twists. We’re on the run from some bad guys before suddenly we’re in school. I graduate, we both become veterinarians to her stuffed animals, and next thing I know, I’m running for president of the world.
”
”
J.M. Darhower (Ghosted)
“
What about you? I know you’re not married. Are you seeing anyone or anything?”
An image of Brooke sleeping in his bed popped into Cade’s head. Then a second image came to mind, of her giving him the “text me” speech at his front door. “Nothing serious.”
“Really? ’Cuz you paused there.”
If one more person commented on these damn alleged pauses . . . “Just eat your lunch,” Cade said.
With a grin, Zach threw Cade’s words back at him. “If you’re having trouble talking to some girl, maybe you need to find another way to tell her how you feel.”
“I know how to talk to her just fine.”
“Maybe you’re not saying the right things, then.”
“Can we change the subject?” Cade ran his hand through his hair. “You’re sixteen years old. Trust me, relationships get a lot more complicated when you’re an adult.”
“Is this a friends-with-benefits situation?”
“Aren’t you a little young to know about friends-with-benefits situations?”
“I didn’t say I was partaking in them myself,” Zach said. “But shockingly, yes, I have heard of scenarios in which adults engage in intercourse without riding off into the sunset together.”
Cade tried to decide how best to sum up the situation with Brooke. “There is a woman. We are friendly. There have been benefits.”
“Do you like her?”
Cade gestured with his burger. “Of course I like her. She’s, like, the smartest, wittiest, woman I’ve ever met. And hot, too.”
“Yeah, I can see why you’d be confused about that,” Zach said. “Smart, witty, and hot. Sounds like a real complicated situation to me.”
Okay, fine. To youthful, unjaded ears, it probably did sound odd. Cade tried a different way to explain. “She and I are on the same page. We’re just keeping it casual.”
“Hey, you’re an intelligent guy, you obviously know what you’re doing,” Zach said. “But casual or not, if this girl’s that great you probably need to follow your own advice.”
“What advice is that?”
“Up your game.” That said, Zach took a big bite of his cheeseburger.
Cade thought about that. Up his game? Pfft. If he had been thinking he might want to try to change Brooke’s mind about their just-having-fun situation—which obviously he did not, since no man of sound mind and body ever messed with a just-having-fun situation—maybe then he’d worry about upping his game.
He scoffed. “You’re a teenager. What do you know?”
“I’m wise beyond my years,” Zach said, his mouth full of burger
”
”
Julie James (Love Irresistibly (FBI/US Attorney, #4))
“
So, uh, where should I…?” I told up the pizza boxes as I trail off.
“Oh, right. Kitchen table’s fine.”
“I’ll show you!” Madison announces, as if I don’t know where it is, but I let her lead me there anyway. Kennedy shuts the door and follows behind us. I set the boxes on the table, and Madison doesn’t hesitate, popping the top one open. She makes a face, looking horrified. “Gross!”
“What in the world are you—?” Kennedy laughs as she glances at the pizza. “Ham and pineapple.”
“Why is that fruit on the pizza?” Madison asks.
“Because it’s good,” Kennedy says, snatching the top box away before opening the other one. “There, that one’s for you.”
Madison shrugs it off, grabbing a slice of cheese pizza, eating straight from the box. I’m gathering this is normal, since Kennedy sits down beside her to do the same.
“You remembered,” she says plucking a piece of pineapple off a slice of pizza and popping it in her mouth.
“Of course,” I say, grabbing a slice of cheese from the box Madison is hoarding. “Pretty sure I’m scarred for life because of it. Not something I can forget.”
She laughs, the sound soft, as she gives me one of the most genuine smiles I’ve seen in a while. It fades as she averts her gaze, but goddamn it, it happened.
“You shoulda gots the breads,” Madison says, standing on her chair as she leans closer, vying for my attention like she’s afraid I might not see her. “And the chickens!”
“Ah, didn’t know you liked those,” I tell her, “or I would’ve gotten them.”
“Next time,” she says, just like that, no question about it.
“Next time,” I say.
“And soda, too,” she says.
“No soda,” Kennedy chimes in.
Madison glances at her mother before leaning even closer, damn near right up on me, whisper-shouting, “Soda.”
“I’m not so sure your mom will like that,” I say.
“It’s okay,” Madison says. “She tells Grandpa no soda, too, but he lets me have it.”
“That’s because you emotionally blackmail him,” Kennedy says.
“Nuh-uh!” Madison says, looking at her mother. “I don’t blackmail him!”
Kennedy scoffs. “How do you know? You don’t even know what that means.”
“So?” Madison says. “I don’t mail him nothing!”
...
“You give him those sad puppy-dog eyes,” Kennedy says, grabbing Madison by the chin, squeezing her chubby cheeks. “And you tell him you’ll love him ‘the mostest’ if he gives you some Coca-Cola to drink.”
“ ‘Cuz I will,” Madison says.
“That’s emotional blackmail.”
“Oh.” Madison makes a face, turning to me when her mother lets go of her. “How ‘bout root beer?”
“I’m afraid not,” I tell her. “Sorry.”
Madison scowls, hopping down from the table to grab a juice box from the refrigerator.
”
”
J.M. Darhower (Ghosted)
“
Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta
Verse 1
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta
A real gangsta-ass nigga plays his cards right
A real gangsta-ass nigga never runs his f**kin mouth
Cuz real gangsta-ass niggas don't start fights
And niggas always gotta high cap
Showin' all his boys how he shot em
But real gangsta-ass niggas don't flex nuts
Cuz real gangsta-ass niggas know they got em
And everythings cool in the mind of a gangsta
Cuz gangsta-ass niggas think deep
Up three-sixty-five a year 24/7
Cuz real gangsta ass niggas don't sleep
And all I gotta say to you
Wannabe, gonnabe, cocksuckin', pussy-eatin' prankstas
'Cause when the fire dies down what the f**k you gonna do
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta
Verse 2
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta
Feedin' the poor and helpin out with their bills
Although I was born in Jamaica
Now I'm in the US makin' deals
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta
I mean one that you don't really know
Ridin' around town in a drop-top Benz
Hittin' switches in my black six-fo'
Now gangsta-ass niggas come in all shapes and colors
Some got killed in the past
But this gangtsa here is a smart one
Started living for the lord and I last
Now all I gotta say to you
Wannabe, gonnabe, pussy-eatin' cocksuckin' prankstas
When the sh*t jumps off what the f**k you gonna do
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta
Verse 3
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta
A real gangta-ass nigga knows the play
Real gangsta-ass niggas get the flyest of the b**ches
Ask that gangsta-ass nigga Little Jake
Now b**ches look at gangsta-ass niggas like a stop sign
And play the role of Little Miss Sweet
But catch the b**ch all alone get the digit take her out
and then dump-hittin' the ass with the meat
Cuz gangsta-ass niggas be the gang playas
And everythings quiet in the clique
A gangsta-ass nigga pulls the trigger
And his partners in the posse ain't tellin' off sh*t
Real gangsta-ass niggas don't talk much
All ya hear is the black from the gun blast
And real gangsta-ass niggas don't run for sh*t
Cuz real gangsta-ass niggas can't run fast
Now when you in the free world talkin' sh*t do the sh*t
Hit the pen and let the mothaf**kas shank ya
But niggas like myself kick back and peep game
Cuz damn it feels good to be a gangsta
Verse 4
And now, a word from the President!
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta
Gettin voted into the White House
Everything lookin good to the people of the world
But the Mafia family is my boss
So every now and then I owe a favor gettin' down
like lettin' a big drug shipment through
And send 'em to the poor community
So we can bust you know who
So voters of the world keep supportin' me
And I promise to take you very far
Other leaders better not upset me
Or I'll send a million troops to die at war
To all you Republicans, that helped me win
I sincerely like to thank you
Cuz now I got the world swingin' from my nuts
And damn it feels good to be a gangsta
”
”
Geto Boys
“
I been sleepin for 40 days and
I know Im sleeping cuz this dream’s too amazin
She got gold doorknobs where her eyes used to be
One turn and I learned what it really means to see
Ah – It’s the magical mystery kind
Ah – must be a lie
Bye bye to the too good to be true kind of love
Oh – I could die
Oh now I can die
I been sleepin for 60- days and
Nobody better pinch me
Bitch I swear I’ll go crazy
She got jumper cable lips
She got sunset on her breath now
I inhaled just a little bit
Now I got no fear of death now
”
”
Edward Sharpe Mag Zeroes
“
I been sleepin for 40 days and
I know Im sleeping cuz this dream’s too amazin
She got gold doorknobs where her eyes used to be
One turn and I learned what it really means to see
[Chorus]
Ah – It’s the magical mystery kind
Ah – must be a lie
Bye bye to the too good to be true kind of love
Oh – I could die
Oh now I can die
I been sleepin for 60- days and
Nobody better pinch me
Bitch I swear I’ll go crazy
She got jumper cable lips
She got sunset on her breath now
I inhaled just a little bit
Now I got no fear of death now
”
”
Edward Sharpe Mag Zeroes
“
we kept knocking them down. “Hold the line!” yelled Devlin. “We stop these monsters here!” “Sir, yes, sir!” yelled the guards, knights and gladiators. “Take this, you ugly monster!” yelled Justin the gladiator as he slashed a screeper’s legs clean off and it fell from the wall. As we held the line, I looked over beyond the wall and saw that the clone was gone. Maybe he poofed in the chain explosions, I thought. I also saw that there was no grass left out there. All the chain explosions had destroyed everything down to the bedrock. Then I heard a familiar voice behind me. “Haha! Come get some!” yelled Obsidian. “Obsidian! You’re here!” I said. “Of course, I’m here. I told you, this is my home, too!” “I wish your friends felt the same way.” “It’s okay, we don’t need them.” “We don’t?” “Naw, man! Cuz you got me!” He laughed as he punched a creeper in the face, and it flew from the wall. I laughed, too.
”
”
Steve the Noob (Diary of Steve the Noob 36 (An Unofficial Minecraft Book) (Diary of Steve the Noob Collection))
“
I’m in another time zone
I’m zoned out
I’m shut in.
My mind is reeling
I wish it’d shut up
What I’m feeling,
I wanna shut down.
All I have to do is
Forget you
Not say your name
Not take your call
It should be easy to
Hate you
’Cuz
All you had to do was,
All you had to do was tell me
After all.
It’s not fair
It ain’t right
I still want to hold you through the night
Want you to whisper all the things you never told me
In my ear
Now all you have to do is
Forgive me
Say my name
Will you take my call
It should be easy to break me
’Cuz
All you ever did was love me
After all.
”
”
Jessica Topper (Dictatorship of the Dress (Much "I Do" About Nothing, #1))
“
yak tak tic tac lick my sick dick cuz im slick or i'll flick ur nose yak on my kayak with my sack. Have a heart attack but I got ur back jack. My shoes go click clack. Gag reflex makes me hack. Jack is a quarterback also an insomniac. He had an anxiety hack but he loves lilac. His teeth covered in plaque. Playing poker? Nah, he like black jack. Friends with Zach. It's Jack the Jack he loves tic tacs.
”
”
E7
“
I realized I been kind of a jerk lately.”
“Oh, you realized that, huh?” Megan said.
“Let me finish, woman!” Doug said.
Megan suddenly realized what an effort it was taking for him to talk to her at all, so she pressed her lips together and waited.
“I was just pissed at you from jump ’cuz you snaked my room. But I thought on it and I figured out why you irritate me so much,” Doug said.
Megan raised her eyebrows. “Why’s that?”
“Well, ’cuz you came in there and you did all this stuff, you know? Like stuff no one else can do,” Doug said. For the first time since she’d met him, Doug was looking at her and his guard was down. He wasn’t making a sneer or putting on a tough front--he was just there, talking to her. “Like you got Miller talking about stuff that’s not baseball. And Ian and Caleb are actually afraid of you. And Sean, like, occasionally comes out of the garage now. And my mom? She’s a different person since you been there. She’s, y’know, calmer or something.”
“Really?”
“It’s like just having another female around has chilled her out or something, seriously. She’s only whacked me upside the head like once since you got here,” Doug said.
Megan couldn’t help grinning.
“Plus what you did for me…” Doug said. “That was pretty cool too. I still don’t know why you did it.”
“Soft spot for lost causes?” Megan said with a shrug.
“Well, whatever,” Doug said. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Megan said. It was only one word, but she had a feeling he actually meant it.
”
”
Kate Brian (Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys)