"The two boys shut up after that. I mean, they chuckle a little bit and all. But you can tell they're not exactly busting with pride over making fun of a retarded old man." Chapter 1, p. 2.

"On account of the third kid turned out to be the most shameful of all. Because the third kid was me. And the old man in the Dumpster was my grandfather." Ibid, p. 3.

"It's one of those lessons in life we can all learn from, I think. Never complain about a hair in your pie when your waitress is teetering on the brink of insanity." Chapter 2, p. 6

"He doesn't remember any of this now. Not even my name. But I'll always be grateful to him for calling me something normal. It's important to have a name you like, I think. Especially when you're a kid. Life is tough enough ... without having to...