“Success comes in cans, not cannots.”

“There’s always be a me and you.”

“The funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective.”

“Um hoje vale dois amanhãs”

“Max.” Fang let go of my hand. “Right now, it’s really all about—us.” He swooped down to the right in a big semicircle, ending facing me. Slowly we climbed upward, until we were almost vertical, flying straight up to the sun. While carefully synchronizing our wings—they almost touched—Fang leaned in, gently put one hand behind my neck, and kissed me. It was just about as close to heaven as I’ll ever get, I guess. I closed my eyes, lost in the feeling of flying and kissing and being with the one person in the world I completely,utterly trusted. When we finally broke apart, we looked down at the others, who were way far below us now. Angel was shading her eyes, looking up at us with a big smile. She was sitting on a dolphin’s back, and I hoped soon someone would explain to the dolphin that he shouldn’t let Angel take advantage of his good nature. Still looking up at us, Angel gave us a big thumbs-up. “She approves,” Fang said with a hint of amusement.”Jeez,” I wondered aloud. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“Marty, my mother used to say “Never get greedy with God.” I think what she meant was “Don’t dare ask for more if you already have what you need.” ”

“Listen, street punk. You’re a guy, and you’re a couple inches taller, and maybe forty pounds heavier, and ooh, you’re in a gang. But I’ve survived ten years of Catholic school, and I will cut you off at your knees without a blink. Do you understand?”

“I stood my ground. “You evil scientist are all the same–evil. Count me out.”Fang and I brushed past Mr. God and walked quickly but smoothly to the exit. It was barely noon, and I’d already made a huge enemy.Dang, I’m good.”

“Who, last time I’d checked, was still on our official archenemy list. (Yes, we have to keep a list. It’s kind of sad.)”

“I’m a girl of extremes. When I love something, I’m like a puppy dog (without all the licking). When I’m cranky, I’m a wasp (like a whole hive of ’em). And when I’m angry, I’m a Mother Bear with a predator after her cubs: Dangerous.”

“Some kids get called ‘bundles of joy’ or ‘slices of heaven’ or ‘dreams come true.’ We got ‘the fifty-fourth generation of DNA experiments.’ Doesn’t have the same warm and fuzzy feel. But maybe I’m oversensitive.”

“So the first thing we’re gonna do,” I told him, “is push you off the roof.”

“And you’re blind?”Uh-huh,” Iggy said, trying to sound bored.Were you born that way?”No.”How did you become blind, uh, Jeff, is it?”Yeah, Jeff. Well, I looked directly at the sun, you know, the way they always tell you not to. If only I had listened.”

“I didn’t know a van could go up on two wheels like that, for so long.” -Nudge”

“I want to do it too!” (sitting motionless)Nudge: “Nope, you stand out like a fart in a church.”Max: (muttering) “Appropriately enough.”Iggy: “What about me?” (stands still)Max: “No, you’re visible.”Iggy: “Am not!”Max: (throws a pinecone at him) “Could I do that if I wouldn’t see you?”