Down in the River Quotes

“They smoked on the patio. The wind was warm. Snow had gone to slush in the street. Clouds shredded into flying ribbons. Off to the right, the mountain was alive and wild in flashing shadows. A piece of it wavered in sheets of rain with patches of blue sky behind it. But it wasn’t raining in town. Most of the sky was sunny. All the weather in the world had come to the valley.”
― Ryan Blacketter, Down in the River: A Novel

“Levi’s Café stood in a city block of pines–just that one, small lighted building in the center of the grove. As Lyle went into the trees, the café windows were yellow stains that in the wind and rain seemed to darken and then flicker on. Instead of going in, he lingered under his umbrella. The motorcycle club gathered here each evening at five. But Lyle had offended one of the boys, Devon, who was tall and drove a Triumph and liked heavy wool sweaters–girls favored him–and he supposed they would not invite him to join now, despite his new clothing.”
― Ryan Blacketter, Down in the River

“There was nothing but dust on display in the windows. The spotlight beam flashed again in the sky, then vanished and appeared, seeming to speed up with the approach of midnight. He was pointed toward the apartment, but he still had plenty of wildness in him to throw at the night.”
― Ryan Blacketter, Down in the River

“I’m different now. Something happened in me. I don’t know what it is. But something did. I won’t take any more speed. I’m done throwing rocks. I don’t blame anybody. Not you or anybody else. I want to care about people.”
― Ryan Blacketter, Down in the River