"I start moving at a manic pace, directing the girls in that weird, strained way mothers do in movies when they find out a bomb is about to go off in their basement." (Chapter 1, p. 11).

"He says the mass is quite large, perhaps seven centimeters, and looks like explosion." (Chapter 2, p. 24).

"I thought if you died and someday I had to find another wife. . . I would be so mad at her because she wouldn't be. . .you." (Chapter 3, p. 28).

"Married people are often alone and together at the same time." (Chapter 5, p. 35).

"The bravest thing I ever did was kill a snake. It was an accident, but it still counts." (Chapter 6, p. 38).

"I step out of the running shower to hug him, and to be hugged, and to wail. After a minute, I pull back and hold his shoulders, like a dying matriarch who only has a few words...