Lauren Thoman

“I swallow, staring at my hand, my throat tight. “Mrs. Hanley, I appreciate this a lot, like, a whole lot, but . . . I feel like I should tell you, I’m not sure I even believe in God.” “That’s all right, sugar,” she says, patting me gently on the cheek. “Maybe he believes in you.”
― Lauren Thoman, I'll Stop the World

“he couldn’t see another way out. Staying here would kill him. Maybe not right away, maybe not in a way anyone else would notice, but eventually, Gabe would drain the life from him, leaving nothing but a shell. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the opportunity,” Shawn said, still—foolishly—hoping he might convince his father to see his side. “But with this award, I could—” “We all could do a lot of things, son,” his father said. “But most people won’t do a fraction of what they could do. I’m giving you the opportunity to do something, never mind the could. And you’re throwing it all away for a shot at a maybe.” He shook his head, looking disgusted. “Maybe this is for the best. Maybe I don’t want someone so selfish and short-sighted working for me anyway.”
― Lauren Thoman, I'll Stop the World