“It’s hard to know what’s right in this life,’ she said. ‘We do what we can, but what we really need is mercy. Do you know who taught me that?’ A grin. ‘You.”

“Richard grimaced. She was attractive, but not to his liking. Something about her reminded him of spoiled meat served in a complicated sauce – it may look good, but it’s inedible.”

“The day came when she discovered sex, sensuality, and literature; she said, ‘I submit! Let my life be henceforth ruled by poetry. Let me reign as the queen of my dreams until I become nothing less than the heroine of God.”