Juniper Wiles (Juniper Wiles #1)

by Charles de Lint

I lift my arms and do a couple of air jabs like a boxer warming up. “I love working the heavy bag.” He steps back in mock alarm, which is when I notice Jilly leaning on the counter, grinning even harder at the pair of us. I drop my hands. “You guys are so cute,” she says.

I find myself wishing I could have met him under circumstances where I don’t seem quite so crazy, but like most things in the world, we don’t get to choose our circumstances. We just have to muddle through as best we can.

“Life isn’t meant to be comforting,” Jilly tells me. “It’s big and it’s messy, and there’s always another mystery for every one we think we’ve solved.”

“There’s no such thing as coincidence,” Jilly says. “There are only connections we haven’t figured out yet.”

“It starts to feel normal way more quickly than you think it will.” I tilt my head. “Yeah, I’m starting to get that. But is everything magic?” “Jilly would say yes,” Sophie tells me, “but that’s only because she’s as amazed by a flock of birds all flying in perfect unison as she is by a faerie made of sticks.” “The world is a magical place,” Jilly says. “Even without faeries and such.”

the world’s a big place with room for all kinds of things in it—those that make sense and those that don’t.

the past can hold you back or it can push you forward. I like to embrace the past—the good and the bad—and use it to build something better.”

“In Crescent Beach, Nora was always the one who came up with the brilliant ideas.” “Except we’re not in Crescent Beach anymore.” She nods. “I know. And you’re not Nora.” “But I will try to be brilliant for you.”