“
The light was leaving
in the west it was blue
The children's laughter sang
and skipping just like the stones they threw
the voices echoed across the way
its getting late
It was just another night
with the sun set
and the moon rise not so far behind
to give us just enough light
to lay down underneath the stars
listen to papas translations
of the stories across the sky
we drew our own constellations
”
”
Jack Johnson
“
Jack Holloway told me he would get the son of a bitch who killed my child and the mate of my child," Papa continued. "Jack Holloway did get that son of a bitch. Jack Holloway got you. You are the man who killed my child. Get off my planet, you son of a bitch.
”
”
John Scalzi (Fuzzy Nation (Fuzzy Sapiens, #7))
“
Papa Jack whispered, ‘But not the same. Never the same. It all does something to you. The little things as well as the big. You might go to sleep one person and wake so slightly different, and all because of a dream you had. You can’t hope to go back. Men lose themselves trying it.
”
”
Robert Dinsdale (The Toymakers)
“
Do you want me ta' beat up your friends, Mommy?" he whispered conspiratorially. I removed my hands from my head and opened my eyes to look at him. "What are you talking about, Gav?" He brought his hands up and put them on my chest, resting his chin on top. "Your friends, Mommy. The ones who maded you sick," he said in a voice that clearly screamed, "Duh." I wrapped my arms around his little body and shook my head at him. "I have no idea what you're talking about, buddy." He let out an exasperated sigh. Poor kid. He got stuck with a dumb mother. "Papa says your friends Johnny, Jack and Jose maded you sick. Friends shouldn't do stuff like that, Mommy. If Luke maded me sick, I'd punch him in the nuts!
”
”
Tara Sivec (Seduction and Snacks (Chocolate Lovers, #1))
“
What’s your horse’s name?” I asked Grandfather.
“Jack,” said Grandfather.
“Papa had a horse named Jack, too,” I told him.
Grandfather didn’t answer.
“Sarah’s right. You and Papa are alike,” I said.
I knew Grandfather wouldn’t answer. And he didn’t.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Caleb's Story (Sarah, Plain and Tall #3))
“
Thank you,” I said to Grandfather at dinner.
“Thank you,” said Grandfather.
“I feel better,” I said.
“I do, too,” said Grandfather. He took my hand. “I do, too.”
“Well, I am waiting for Nick to speak French,” said Mama.
“That is impressive,” said William.
“He can only speak French in my journal,” I said.
“I suppose that’s what writing is for,” said Grandfather. “To change life and make it come out the way you want it to.”
“Speak, Nick. Speak!” said Papa.
Nick cocked his head from one side to the other. He was silent.
“Woof,” said Jack finally.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
Wedding is four days away. Are you ready?”
“I am. I’ve been ready for Anna to marry your son for a long time.”
“We’ll be family,” said Dr. Sam.
Papa said what we all knew.
“You’ve always been family,” he said.
It was quiet. Then, all of a sudden, there was Jack’s clear voice.
“Caleb’s home!” he said, making us all smile.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
The aunts will love this, Jacob,” said Mama. “You can pick them up at the train in style.”
“Better than three old women on a dapple-gray horse,” said Grandfather.
Papa looked back over his shoulder at Jack, who sat quietly, looking at the prairie pass by.
“Zeke could handle it,” he said softly to Grandfather.
“Not sure the aunts could,” whispered Grandfather.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
Where will they stay?” I asked.
“In the barn,” whispered Grandfather. “We’ll throw down some blankets.”
“We’ll make room,” said Papa. “Harriet and Mattie and Lou can stay in Caleb’s room. That’s something to think about.”
“I’ll stay in the barn,” said Grandfather in a strong voice.
“Doggie stay in barn,” said Jack.
Grandfather reached over and took Jack’s hand.
“You bet,” he said.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
When I walk the path between the gardens everyone is there, Mama and Papa, the aunts, Caleb and Jack. Aunt Harriet plays the flute--
But the best thing of all is that Grandfather is there waiting for me, smiling.
He gives my dog husband a bone.
“Be good to Cassie,” he says.
“Oui,” says Nick.
I am astonished. I have never heard Nick speak French words.
“You speak French!” I cry.
“I retrieve, too,” says my dog husband.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
Anna worked for Dr. Sam. Her eyes widened when she came out of the office and saw the car.
Papa laughed.
Anna hugged Grandfather and peered into the car.
“How does Zeke feel about this?” she asked Papa.
“He’s on a little holiday,” said Papa.
“For the aunts,” said Jack, his thin voice startling everyone. And then he added what Papa was afraid he would. In a clear voice, so easy to hear, like a little bell in the wind.
“Three old women on a dapple-gray horse.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
- Parcă mai ieri alergai pe gazon cu prietenii tăi, încercând din greu să câştigi premii la aruncarea inelelor sau să spargi pinata. La fel ca mama ta, aduceai culoare şi viaţă.
- Papa!
- Cel care va primi acea culoare şi viaţă va fi un om norocos, spuse Philip, privindu-l în ochi pe Jack. Iar cel care le va aprecia va fi un înţelept.
- Papa, repetă ea, pe un ton de avertisment.
- Un om nu are parte de prea multe comori, spuse el bătând-o cu degetul pe nas.
”
”
Nora Roberts (Bed of Roses (Bride Quartet, #2))
“
Poor John,” said Mama. “This is a very hard job. Keeping Jack in line behind him.”
“Huge,” said Anna.
“Nearly impossible,” said Justin.
And they began to laugh all over again.
A long time later, Grandfather and Jack came back. They were very quiet. They sat next to each other at the table where Mama and Papa and Anna and Justin were drinking coffee.
Grandfather poked Jack gently.
Jack looked up at Grandfather.
“Doggie sorry,” said Jack.
Grandfather poked Jack again.
“Jack sorry,” said Jack, using his name for the first time.
Grandfather sat back.
“That’s very good,” he said, pleased with himself.
“Drat,” whispered Jack.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
I’ll ride Zeke,” said Aunt Lou, starting to walk to the barn.
“No,” said Papa, going after her and taking her hand. “I’ll saddle up Molly.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Grandfather. “This time we’ll take a quiet and slow ride around the slough. If that’s possible for you,” he called after Aunt Lou.
“Boppa,” said Jack to Grandfather. He held out his arms.
“All right, all right. A short ride,” said Grandfather.
Grandfather, Papa, and Aunt Lou went to the paddock to bring in the horses. Jack followed Grandfather, walking just behind him, his arms behind his back like Grandfather’s.
“Little Boppa and big Boppa,” said Caleb, making Mama laugh.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
This says Lou can drive, signed, Horace Bricker.”
Aunt Lou nodded.
“Yes, Horace taught me how to drive. That’s proof.”
Papa’s mouth opened. He looked at me, then closed it again.
“How about,” said Papa slowly, handing the paper back to Aunt Lou, “you drive on the tractor roads that go through the meadows. Could you do that?”
“Oh yes!” said Aunt Lou happily. “You didn’t think I wanted to drive on the main roads, did you? With all the fools out there?”
She tapped Grandfather on the shoulder.
“How about it, John? Want to go driving? Past the slough and across the far meadows? We can go fast!”
She stopped and looked at Papa.
“We can go fast, can’t we?”
Papa put his hands over his eyes and leaned on the table.
Jack put his hands over his eyes and leaned on the table, too.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
Eat your beans, Jack,” said Mama, pointing to his plate.
“Doggie no beans,” said Jack, frowning.
“They’re good, Jack,” said Justin.
“No,” said Jack.
Grandfather dropped his fork on the floor.
“Drat,” he said.
“I’d like you to eat some beans, Jack,” repeated Mama.
Jack climbed down out of his chair.
“Drat, drat, drat,” he yelled.
Everyone was quiet.
Grandfather finally spoke.
“That sounded…a little bit…like…”
“You, Boppa,” said Papa.
Grandfather sighed and stood up.
“I guess I’m the one who should take care of this,” he said.
He took Jack’s hand and they went outside.
Mama bit her lip. Papa stared at his plate. Suddenly, Mama began to laugh. We laughed, too.
“Poor John,” said Mama. “This is a very hard job. Keeping Jack in line behind him.”
“Huge,” said Anna.
“Nearly impossible,” said Justin.
And they began to laugh all over again.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
Aunt Lou was up early, dressed in overalls. She and Papa sat at the table drinking coffee and having a peppy discussion. Jack sat between them, his head turning from one side to the other as they talked. I stood in the doorway, listening.
“Why?” asked Papa.
“I want to,” said Aunt Lou.
“Do you have a permit to drive?” asked Papa.
“Yes,” said Aunt Lou quickly.
Papa smiled slightly.
Jack smiled, too.
“Well…where is it?” asked Papa.
Aunt Lou took a deep breath and went to find her bag.
“Good morning, Cassie,” said Papa.
“Good morning,” I said, coming into the kitchen. Grandfather came after me, pouring coffee and sitting next to Jack.
“Pal!” said Jack.
“Pal,” said Grandfather, putting his hand over Jack’s hand.
Aunt Lou handed Papa a folded piece of paper.
“Here.”
Papa looked at it, then at Aunt Lou.
“This says Lou can drive, signed, Horace Bricker.”
Aunt Lou nodded.
“Yes, Horace taught me how to drive. That’s proof.”
Papa’s mouth opened. He looked at me, then closed it again.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
The next day Aunt Lou was the very first up in the morning again.
“I’ve driven a car,” she said to Papa. “Now it is time to ride a horse. Only five more days before we have to go back East. It’s time.”
“‘Old lady on a dapple…’” began Jack before Mama put her hand over his mouth.
Grandfather and Papa smiled.
“Zeke, maybe,” said Aunt Lou.
Papa looked at Mama.
“I remember a long time ago,” he said softly. “Do you?”
Mama nodded.
“When I first came here I wanted to learn to ride your wildest horse, Jack, and to fix the roof…”
“And to plow and almost everything else,” said Papa.
“And she did,” said Caleb with a smile. “She wore overalls, too.”
“I had a lot to learn,” said Mama.
“Well, Sarah taught me how to swim when she first came here,” said Caleb.
“In the slough?” exclaimed Aunt Harriet.
“You bet,” said Caleb.
“You bet,” echoed Jack, making everyone laugh.
“I remember skinny-dipping in Maine,” Caleb said. “That water was cold.”
“I’ll ride Zeke,” said Aunt Lou, starting to walk to the barn.
“No,” said Papa, going after her and taking her hand. “I’ll saddle up Molly.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Grandfather. “This time we’ll take a quiet and slow ride around the slough. If that’s possible for you,” he called after Aunt Lou.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
St. Louis Blues (1929)
I hate to see de evenin' sun go down,
Hate to see de evenin' sun go down
'Cause ma baby, he done lef' dis town.
Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today,
Feel tomorrow like I feel today,
I'll pack my trunk, make ma git away.
Saint Louis woman wid her diamon' rings
Pulls dat man 'roun' by her apron strings.
'Twant for powder an' for store-bought hair,
De man ah love would not gone nowhere, nowhere.
Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
That man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Col'nel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day ah die.
Been to de gypsy to get ma fortune tole,
To de gypsy, done got ma fortune tole,
Cause I'm most wile 'bout ma Jelly Roll.
Gypsy done tole me, "Don't you wear no black."
Yes, she done told me, "Don't you wear no black.
Go to Saint Louis, you can win him back."
Help me to Cairo, make Saint Louis by maself,
Git to Cairo, find ma old friend Jeff,
Gwine to pin maself close to his side;
If ah flag his train, I sho' can ride.
Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
That man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Colonel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day I die.
You ought to see dat stovepipe brown of mine,
Lak he owns de Dimon' Joseph line,
He'd make a cross-eyed o'man go stone blin'.
Blacker than midnight, teeth lak flags of truce,
Blackest man in de whole of Saint Louis,
Blacker de berry, sweeter am de juice.
About a crap game, he knows a pow'ful lot,
But when worktime comes, he's on de dot.
Gwine to ask him for a cold ten-spot,
What it takes to git it, he's cert'nly got.
Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
Dat man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Col'nel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day ah die.
A black-headed gal makes a freight train jump the track, said a black-headed
Gal makes a freight train jump the track,
But a long tall gal makes a preacher ball the jack.
Lawd, a blonde-headed woman makes a good man leave the town, I said
Blonde-headed woman makes a good man leave the town,
But a red-headed woman makes a boy slap his papa down.
Oh, ashes to ashes and dust to dust, I said ashes to ashes and dust to dust,
If my blues don't get you, my jazzing must.
”
”
Bessie Smith
“
If she could just get Papa to put Jack Door's book on lock-picking on the syllabus, she felt sure her new education would soon be complete.
”
”
Peter Bunzl (Cogheart (The Cogheart Adventures, #1))
“
I wondered what it was like, to gradually lose little pieces of your mind. Maybe it wasn’t so bad if you didn’t know it was happening, if you just kind of slowly sank into oblivion. Papa had celebrated his eighty-fifth birthday in April. He’d had a long, happy turn at life and yet it was still sad to watch it slowly ebb away. Papa continued to regard me with quiet scrutiny while my uncle rocked back on his heels and waited for someone to say something. I didn’t want to stay in this house alone tonight. I really didn’t want to stay here alone with Easton. I opened my mouth to plead with my senile great-grandfather to stay and keep me company. He spoke before I did though. “You’re no fun,” he said in a plaintive, childish voice. “Hear that, Claud?” Rocco teased. “You’re no fun.” “Shut up.” He sighed and turned serious. “I’m just trying to look out for you. I don’t think you should hide forever.” “I was only planning on hiding until Saturday.” That was the day after Jack and Anya were scheduled to return from Atlantic City. It was the date stamped on my return plane ticket. And then I would return to Arizona and go back to hiding out on that side of the country. Rocco wasn’t done prodding me. “Why don’t you go out tonight?” “I can’t find Jack’s car keys.” Rocco crossed the room in three long strides, rattled around in the kitchen for a minute, and returned with Jack’s key ring. “Excuses, excuses,
”
”
Cora Brent (Unruly)
“
Ellos fueron preparados para ganar y conquistar el mundo, y establecer un milenio para el papa. Entre bastidores, los jesuitas controlaban la Gestapo. Todos estos datos estan totalmente documentados en LA HISTORIA SECRETA DE LOS JESUITAS,
”
”
Jack T. Chick (Cortinas de humo)
“
Ten en cuenta que el sol no pudo brillar hasta que Papa y Rangi fueron separados. Disfruta del sol, Jack.
”
”
Sarah Lark (El grito de la tierra)
“
Preacher. I gotta ask you something. What the hell’s eating you?” “What do you mean?” he replied, frowning. Jack shook his head in frustration. “You have this beautiful little family under your roof. You watch over them like a papa bear. That kid adores you, you have a sweet, cuddly young beauty to knock boots with every night, and you’re depressed. I mean, you are obviously depressed!” “I’m not depressed,” he said somewhat meanly. “And I haven’t knocked boots with anybody.” “What?” Jack said, confused. “What?” “You heard me. I haven’t touched her.” “She have issues?” Jack asked. “Like the abusive ex or something?” “No,” Preacher said. “I have issues.” He laughed. “Yeah? You don’t want her? Because she—” “I don’t know what to do,” Preacher said suddenly. Then he averted his eyes. “Sure you do, Preacher. You take off your clothes, she takes off her clothes...” Preacher snapped his head back. “I know where all the parts go. I’m not so sure she’s ready for that....” “Preacher, my man, do you have eyes? She looks at you like she wants to—” “Jesus, she scares me to death! I’m afraid I’ll hurt her,” he said, then shook his head miserably. What the hell, he thought. Jack’s my best friend. If I can’t tell Jack, I can’t tell anyone. But he said, “You say anything about this and I swear to God, I’ll kill you.” Jack just laughed at him. “Why would I tell anyone? Preacher, you’re not going to hurt her.” “What if I do? She’s been through so much. She’s so soft. Small. And I’m—hell, I’m just a big, clumsy lug.” “No, you’re not,” Jack said, laughing again. “Preacher, you don’t even break the yolks. You’re—well, you’re big, that’s for sure.” He chuckled. “You’re probably big all over,” he said, shaking his head. “Believe me, women don’t mind that.” Preacher’s chin went up and he frowned, not sure whether he’d just been complimented or insulted. “Listen,
”
”
Robyn Carr (Shelter Mountain (Virgin River, #2))
“
Jack rode back into the river, steering his horse toward their raft. Samantha couldn’t see his dark brown hair under his wide-brimmed hat, but she could see the focus in his face, the strength of his arms as he guided his horse. When he glanced over at her, she blushed. Micah elbowed her. “Someone’s sweet on you.” “Hush,” she whispered. “Papa says you’re going to marry him.” She elbowed him back. “I told you to hush.” Micah tipped his hat low over his shaggy hair, but she could still see the grin on his face.
”
”
Melanie Dobson (Where the Trail Ends: The Oregon Trail (An American Tapestry))
“
Alas, Mama’s protest
fell on deaf ears,
the bears of Bear Country
gave in to their fears.
Mama’s advice
Notwithstanding,
they put the cart of fear
before the horse
of understanding.
“To arms!” cried Papa.
“There’s no time to fuss.
We’ve got to get him
before he gets us.”
Swords were unsheathed.
Bugles were blown.
They were no longer bears
with minds of their own.
They were no longer
Jack and Jill, Betty and Bob.
The bears had become
a dangerous mob.
With the false courage of numbers
to the mountain they went,
with an arsenal of weapons
and deadly intent.
”
”
Stan Berenstain (The Berenstain Bears' Thanksgiving)
“
You know,” I said as we trudged homeward, “this is an important occasion, and not just because of this great discovery. According to my calculations, tomorrow will be our second anniversary on the island “ “Is this really true?” Elizabeth asked. “I can hardly believe so much time has passed.” “It is true, my dear,” I said. Think of all of the adventures that we have had and that we are safe, well-fed and happy. I am going to declare tomorrow a special day of celebration.” “You mean that we are going to have a party?” cried Francis, jumping for joy. “Oh, I can hardly wait!” Actually, Francis did not have long to wait, for when the morning dawned, Elizabeth and I had the entire day’s festivities planned. Greeting my sons on the lawn beneath Falcon’s Nest, I said, “For the past two years, you boys have been practicing wrestling, running, swimming, shooting and horseback riding here on the island. Now, we are going to determine the champions of these feats.” So, the competitions began, with Elizabeth cheering the boys and Turk and Flora running alongside them. Unquestionably, the highlight of the day was the horseback-riding event. Fritz mounted Lightfoot and Ernest rode Grizzle, but they were no match for Jack’s skillful handling of the wild buffalo. A practiced groom could not have managed a thoroughbred horse with more grace and ease. “Jack, my boy,” I boomed, “I hereby declare you the winner of this contest.” “No, Papa.” interrupted Francis. “You haven’t seen what I can do yet.” Francis rode into the arena, mounted on his young buffalo bull, Broumm, which was just four months old. Elizabeth had made a saddle of kangaroo skin and stirrups that adjusted to Francis’s little legs.
”
”
Johann David Wyss (The Swiss Family Robinson)
“
I cried myself to sleep wishing that when I woke up, Papa would be here.
”
”
Liesl Shurtliff (Jack: The (Fairly) True Tale of Jack and the Beanstalk)
“
He had even written a poem about one, titled “OxyContin,” published in Annals of Internal Medicine: It might have been easier If OxyContin swallowed the mountains, and took The promises of tens of thousands of young lives Slowly, like ever-encroaching kudzu. Instead, It engulfed us, Gently as napalm Would a school-yard. Mama said As hard as it was to bury Papa after the top fell in the mine up Caney Creek, it was harder yet to find Sis that morning cold and blue, with a needle stuck up her arm. Top of her class, with nothing but promise ahead until hi-jacked by the torment of needle and spoon.
”
”
Beth Macy (Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America)
“
Not a good time for him to be sick, is it? The wedding and all,” said Papa.
“There’s never a good time,” said Mama.
I poured orange juice and handed it to Jack. He shook his head.
“Come on, Jack,” said Grandfather, picking him up. “We’ll rock in the chair. We could, in fact, rock all through the wedding. They don’t need us.”
“Sing,” said Jack.
“I was waiting for that,” said Papa, grinning.
Grandfather sighed.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
The next day Aunt Lou was the very first up in the morning again.
“I’ve driven a car,” she said to Papa. “Now it is time to ride a horse. Only five more days before we have to go back East. It’s time.”
“‘Old lady on a dapple…’” began Jack before Mama put her hand over his mouth.
Grandfather and Papa smiled.
”
”
Patricia MacLachlan (Grandfather's Dance (Sarah, Plain and Tall, #5))
“
Lindsay recalled how she was driving to her in-law’s house with Andrew and their young children, when Katherine rang and told them she had just discovered the bodies of her parents. Lindsay wasn’t able to turn off the Bluetooth device in time before Katherine screamed out “They’re dead!” Lindsay said Andrew immediately screamed, and she had to tell her 3 year old son that his Papa and Nana were dead.
”
”
Jack Rosewood (True Crime Stories: A Prequel: 4 Shocking True Crime Cases (True Crime Anthology))
“
CD. The Summer of Love. The Mamas and the Papas, Jefferson Airplane, Big Brother and the Holding Company.
”
”
Lee Child (The Hard Way (Jack Reacher, #10))