White Oleander

by Janet Fitch

I liked it when my mother tried to teach me things, when she paid attention. So often when I was with her, she was unreachable.

What was the point in such loneliness among people. At least if you were by yourself, you had a good reason to be lonely.

Women always put men first. That’s how everything got so screwed up.

You know the mistrust of heights is the mistrust of self, you don’t know whether you’re going to jump.