You have my whole heart. You always did.

She aint worth it. None of em are. He didnt answer for a while. Then he said: Yes they are.

What is it?Nothing. I had a bad dream.What did you dream about?Nothing.Are you okay?No.He put his arms around him and held him. It's okay, he said.I was crying. But you didnt wake up.I'm sorry. I was just so tired.I meant in the dream.

In a pocket of his knapsack he'd found a last half packet of cocoa and he fixed it for the boy and then poured his own cup with hot water and sat blowing at the rim.You promised not to do that, the boy said.What?You know what, Papa.He poured the hot water back into the pan and took the boy's cup and poured some of the cocoa into his own and then handed it back.I have to watch you all the time, the boy said.

You have my whole heart. You always did. You're the best guy. You always were.

She raised her eyes and looked at him. He’d never seen despair before. He thought he had, but he had not.

He tried to read her heart in her handclasp but he knew nothing.

They sat in the little diningroom and ate. She'd put on music, a violin concerto. The phone didnt ring.Did you take it off the hook?No, she said.Wires must be down.She smiled. I think it's just the snow. I think it makes people stop and think.Bell nodded. I hope it comes a blizzard then.Do you remember the last time it snowed here?No, I cant say as I do. Do you?Yes I do.When was it.It'll come to you.Oh.She smiled. They ate.

The things that I loved were very frail. Very fragile. I didn't know that. I thought they were indestructible. They weren't.