Sandra

“Romantik ist naemlich nicht gleichbedeutend mit Herzschmerz und Rosen. Romantik ist Gefuehl, und Romantik ist Freiheit. Romantik ist Abenteuer und Natur und Wanderlust. Sie ist Meeresrauschen und der Regen auf deiner Zeltplane und ein Bussard hoch ueber einer Wiese und das morgendliche Erwachen mit der Frage, was der Tag wohl bringen mag, um dann loszuziehen und es herauszufinden. Das ist Romantik.”
― Benjamin Myers, The Offing

“Kya watched him gimp along the path, left leg swinging to the side, then forward. Her fingers knotted. Maybe they were all going to leave her, one by one down this lane. When he reached the road and unexpectedly looked back, she threw her hand up and waved hard. A shot to keep him tethered. Pa lifted an arm in a quick, dismissive salutation. But it was something. It was more than Ma had done.”
― Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing

“That's the irony of it." He laughed bitterly. "I can't . I've lost everything, and now, all I can do is make sure I don't lose you. The one thing I could never have had in the first place. You can curse me, spit on me, ignore my warnings, and pretend I don't even exist, but I will not leave you. I will do whatever I have to, to keep you safe. Because your safety, your life...your...you-the sum of all my nothings-is the only thing I have left. I stared at him, speechless and stunned.”
― Lesley Livingston, The Defiant

“Are you lost, son?" she asked, then pointed towards left. "The outfield is that way."
Try something new tonight, he said. Was there anyone anywhere who didn't have an opinion about what she should be doing? It was a struggle not to scowl at him.
"It's a game," Scott said. "So forget the work part tonight. Just play. Each pitch isn't going to change the world, you know."
Well-it was a point of view. "Okay," she said. "Thanks." "The game's way better, when you enjoy yourself," he said. "So have fun." Then, he clapped her lightly on the right shoulder, and trotted out towards his position.
Fun. Well, if she could manage that, it would be a nice change.”
― Ellen Emerson White, A Season of Daring Greatly