The Q

by Beth Brower

“Staying with someone. Companionship is one of the great arts of the human soul.”

“Only that I believe”—Arch lifted his shoulders, and the look on his face was so unguarded Quincy surprised herself by listening—“that each one of us has times when what we need most is someone who is willing to sit quietly by, waiting for us. Not interfering, just being.”

“I’ve often wondered if our greatest strengths are, in turn, our greatest weaknesses—which is what makes them so hard to temper.”

“I always feel I might be my best self in the fall; I wish to pen my best essays, listen to the purest music, taste the best fruit I can find.”