Quotes by Lisa Schroeder

“This newly restored park will create a green living room for Downtown that has never existed before.”

“New electrical service is critical not only for light and sound equipment but also to power the pump of the Point State Park fountain so it can reach its full height again.”

“Anyone walking into the park day or night will be able to read and see the history of the place.”

“The other exciting thing about this phase is well be installing benches and lighting around the perimeter, which were intended to be installed in the original plan but were cut because of budget restraints.”

“We are thrilled with the submissions.”

“This project strikes to the heart of our mission to connect people and communities to the rivers and to make the riverfronts the front yard of the city.”

“It will free up the Point area for more passive contemplation of history and the environment.”

Was it hard? I ask.Letting go?Not as hard as holding on to something that wasnt real.

When you meet someone so different from yourself, in a good way, you dont even have to kiss to have fireworks go off. Its like fireworks in your heart all the time. I always wondered, do opposites really attract? Now I know for sure they do. Id grown up going to the library as often as most people go to the grocery store. Jackson didnt need to read about exciting people or places. He went out and found them, or created excitement himself if there wasnt any to be found. The things I like are pretty simple. Burning CDs around themes, like Songs to Get You Groove On and Tunes to Fix a Broken Heart; watching movies; baking cookies; and swimming. Its like I was a salad with a light vinaigrette, and Jackson was a platter of seafood Cajun pasta. Alone, we were good. Together, we were fantastic.

Guilt reminds me of a stray cat. You chase it away and yet, it comes back when you least expect it. If you let yourself feel pity for it and feed the thing, it parks its ugly, puny, lonely-for-attention butt on your doormat and wont go away. Scat kitty cat, scat. I dont need you sitting around here like that.

Come with me, Mom says.To the library. Books and summertimego together.

I think fear is normal, Cade. Just dont let it win.

We have a lot of questions, and we want to understand.Music helps with that .Music helps with everything.

Sometimes you want to remember. And sometimes you need to forget.

It brings me back to the moment, and I want to livethe moment with everything I’ve got.

Its hard to be happy in the now when you cant stop worrying about the future. What I want is to trust that everything will work out. To believe with all my heart that Ill end up where I belong.

I hear the word in the hallover and over again.Suicide.Suicide.Suicide.Did he or didn’t he?Everyone’s got a guess.Still no one knows for sure, except Gabe, but he’s not talking. Why does it even matter? He’s gone. His, ours, theirs— blame needs a place. His, ours, theirs— pain all over the place. His, ours, theirs— forgiveness missing from this place.

Three boys. Three deaths. One school. Weve made the national news. Is out school cursed? Are we a reckless bunch of fools? The media asks questions no one can answer. Kids cant stop crying.

Im glad for the rain...Its good camouflage.

See thats exactly why I dont want a dog. Why? Because itll just die. Everybody dies, Brooklyn. Like that makes it okay or something.