The Covenant of Water

by Abraham Verghese

“Watercolors,” he says. She waits. “I . . . uh, I like the mystery, the unpredictability of what emerges.”

“Roses would be annoying weeds if the blooms never withered and died. Beauty resides in the knowledge that it doesn’t last.”

Damn!

“It’s fiction! Fiction is the great lie that tells the truth about how the world lives!”

“A dog lives for you. A cat just lives with you.”

“What’s your name?” “Call me Philipose.”