Flightless Bird Quotes

“She was like a flightless bird, her wings clipped by every cruel word and heartless action bestowed upon her. I realized I would do anything to heal her.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“I didn’t know for sure if Lexus Wren was one of us, but I was hopeful. William Wren had never named any names, but only a powerful relationship could generate the kind of energy needed to pull off the things he was accused of. There were few bonds closer than the one between a father and a daughter.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“knowing the twins had opened my eyes to the wonder of loving someone and receiving love in return, a feeling I’d been missing all these years, but now I’d never be able to live without.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“He grabbed a beer from the fridge and smacked the top against the counter, knocking off the bottle cap, the loud sound punctuating the tension. I slowly pulled the sandwich fixings from the fridge and started assembling them, and he gulped down half the beer as he leaned against the counter and watched me, making the innocent task seem somehow voyeuristic.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“Well, if you want to be a writer, you’re going to have to start letting people read your stuff, you know.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“His face was so sincere, his thoughtfulness so overwhelming, all I could do was nod at his heartfelt declaration and try not to let tears spill from my eyes. I’d lived in this town my whole life, and no one had ever done anything this kind for me before. Now, here was this teenage boy, a foster kid with his own worries, and he was willing to spend his meager paycheck on food for someone he’d only known for a few days. My heart ached at the injustice of it all. On impulse, I reached out and grabbed him, wrapping my arms around his middle in a hug.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“You don’t have to buy me groceries, Griffin. I’m fine.” He grabbed my arm, his voice pleading. “I want to, Lexus. Please. And you’re not fine, and it’s okay to admit it. I’ve been there, you know? I’ve lived with some crappy families, and I wished someone would’ve noticed and offered to help. Will you please let me help you?”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“Griffin, what are you doing?” He winced and bit his lip then glanced at the floor a few times before replying. “Phoenix said there wasn’t much food at your house. I thought you could use some groceries.” When he looked back up at me his face held such hopefulness and vulnerability, I couldn’t help but shake my head and smile at him. “You don’t have to buy me groceries, Griffin. I’m fine.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“Have you got money for food?” Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say, because her smile faltered. Was she embarrassed that we knew she didn’t have much money? It’s not like it was her fault or anything. “Yeah, I’m good.” She waved a lunch ticket at me. “See ya.” Phoenix slugged me on the shoulder before taking off to his own class, and I rubbed my arm after he was out of sight and wondered why I was such an idiot sometimes.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“I think I might like the chance to start over somewhere new.” There was a world of meaning in that simple statement, and I suddenly felt an intense sympathy for problems I didn’t even understand and an insatiable desire to learn more about her.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“My eyes bulged , and I gulped and immediately activated FTP mode - that’s Female Tear Prevention, if you don’t know. For a guy, there’s nothing worse than seeing a girl cry and not being able to fix it. It’s worse if you don’t even know why she’s crying. Over the years, I’ve become an expert at avoiding it, even if it requires a little subterfuge.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“I ’m not very good at recognizing trouble before I get into cahoots with it, or, at least that’s what my brother likes to tell me, but when I first laid eyes on Lexus Wren, I knew right away that she was something. Maybe she’s trouble, maybe she’s my true love, heck, she might even be the key to my destiny — who knows? All I know is that there’s something about her that sends arrows of fire shooting through my insides like meteors heading for a collision.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“I got teased a lot, but most people just ignored me. I didn’t think anyone would bother with the effort it took to pull a prank on me.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“A few dogs barked as I passed by their territories, their chains clanking as they rose to attention then snapping with a metallic clang when they reached the limit of their freedom. I empathized with their pathetic existence, neglected yet tethered in place by the very people who ignored them . I was tempted to unhook their chains and set them free, but would they be any better off, left to fend for themselves ? Most of them had a roof over their heads of some kind, food and water if not always enough, and most were not abused, just forgotten — their novelty worn off, their owners distracted by the pursuit of other pleasures.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird

“His eyes met mine again, this time paralyzing them as he leaned in closer. My heart sped up and my eyes widened as he tilted his head. Was he going to kiss me? Slowly, his lips touched mine, and my heart vibrated like the wings of a hummingbird, beating so fast I thought it would take flight.”
― Kellie McAllen, Flightless Bird