- The more complex relationships got, the more diversions I encountered that hadn't been covered by Mom's equations, and the more that happened, the more I became a target.
- By the first day of the new school year, I had already been marked as the weird kid.
- I should respond as follows: "Thank you," or "It's nothing." Mom said "Thank you" was the sensible answer and "It's nothing" was more laid-back, which could make me look much cooler.