Libba Bray - The Diviners (2012)

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Will was making a speech, something about having been young and careless once, the sort of thing old-timers said when they issued a deathblow, as if they thought their sanctimonious ramblings disguised as empathy would be welcomed, but Evie was only half listening.

Libba Bray
She knew what it was to wait for someone who would never come home. She knew that grief, like a scar, faded but never really went away.

Libba Bray
Hot off the presses, today's headlines: The love of your life does not approve of my wanton flapper ways, Evie said in a voice of affected mystery. Really, Mabesie. You might want to reconsider—he is a bit of a killjoy.

Libba Bray
But what was the point of living so quietly you made no noise at all?

Libba Bray
I hear they feed you in Sing Sing, Evie muttered. Three squares a day. Evangeline, Will said with a sigh. Charity begins at home. So does mental illness.

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Memphis—it's just a bird. Birds fly around, brother. It's what they do. It's not following you, and it's not a sign. Unless you really did give it candy and flowers, in which case you are one strange brother.

Libba Bray
The line between faith and fanaticism is a constantly shifting one, Dr. Poblocki said. When does belief become justification? When does right become rationale and crusade become crime?

Libba Bray
You have a steady fella? Sam asked after a bit. No fella can hold me for long. Sam gave her a sideways glance. That a challenge? No. A statement of fact.

Libba Bray
Dead bodies are such trouble, Evie said with a little sigh, and Mabel had to turn her head away so as not to laugh.

Libba Bray
I'm from the health department. You've heard of Typhoid Mary? This fella's got enough typhoid to start his own colony.

Libba Bray
Evie didn't mind yelling, but she hated feeling judged. It got under her skin and made her feel small and ugly and unfixable.

Libba Bray
Theta blew out another plume of cigarette smoke. Not interested. Love's messy, kiddo. Let those other girls get moony-eyed and goofy. Me? I got plans.

Libba Bray
What took you so long? Will asked when Evie came panting into the room. He and Jericho had assembled a stack of books, which they were tucking into Will's attaché case. I walked to Jerusalem for the Bible. I knew you'd want an original, Evie snapped.

Libba Bray
Next time we see you, you'll be on trial for some ingenious crime! Dottie said with a laugh. Evie grinned. Just as long as they know my name.

Libba Bray
Jericho lay back down on his side, watching her breathe just an arm's length from him. She was not beautiful while she slept; her mouth hung open and she snored very lightly, and this, despite everything that had happened, made him smile.

Libba Bray
She loved attention. It was like a glass of the best champagne—bubbly and intoxicating—and as with champagne, she always wanted more of it. Still, she didn't want to seem like an easy mark. If you must know, I've come to join a convent, Evie said, testing him.

Libba Bray
How do you invent a religion? Evie asked. Will looked over the top of his spectacles. You say, 'God told me the following,' and then wait for people to sign up.

Libba Bray
Could I have a Sloe Gin Fizz, without the gin?" "What's the point of that, Miss?" the waiter said. "Tomorrow morning," Mabel said.

Libba Bray
Cash or check? he said cheekily. Even the dullest Ohio girls knew that bit of lingo: Kiss now or kiss later? Bank's closed, pal.

Libba Bray
Memphis found his smile. 'You know me, sir. I don't wear worry.

Libba Bray
On the Bowery, in the ornate carcass of a formerly grand vaudeville theater, a dance marathon limps along. The contestants, young girls and their fellas, hold one another up, determined to make their mark, to bite back at the dreams sold to them in newspaper advertisements and on the radio. They have sores on their feet but stars in their eyes.

Libba Bray
Evie wanted to cry. From fear. From exhaustion, yes. But mostly from the cruel uselessness, the damned stupid arbitrariness of it all.

Libba Bray
She smiled as sweetly as a show poster for the glorified, all-American Ziegfeld girl just before dumping her second cigarette into Wally's fresh cup of coffee.

Libba Bray
Clothing left on the bed unfolded. Books stained with coffee spots. Tabs not paid until the last possible second. Boys kissed and then forgotten in a week's time.

Libba Bray
Evie was so nervous that she downed her cocktail in two stiff swigs, then refilled her glass. Henry arched an eyebrow. A pro, I see. What else is there to do in Ohio?

Libba Bray