"Forty-five years had made differences, but they did not seem critical. The city had spread a good deal, and he was surprised, after the desert, by the green luxuriance of its trees. But the streets were still a half mile wide, and water still ran in at least some of the gutters."
Part 1: Chapter 1, pg. 4

"Like someone tapping at a door, wanting to interrupt a private conversation, Nola was there in his head asking to be asked in. He found it curious that he didn't want to ask her in, not just now, though she was surely a more significant part of this lost place and past time than Holly. It was Holly he wanted to talk to just now; she seemed fresher with possibilities, not so tainted with old sullen emotions." Part 1: Chapter 1, pg. 12

"As he reached the door he threw an apologetic look back at the...