The best revenge, it turns out, is not revenge at all.

It is turning fully away from the person who hurt you, toward the person you love, and never looking back.

Chapter 20 — To Coming Home Early

Eight months later, my mother and I sat together on the back porch of a quiet, sunlit house near the coast, and watched the light change on the water.

She had gained back the fifteen pounds and a little more.

Her appetite had returned completely — she ate now with an unselfconscious pleasure that I never let her see brought tears to my eyes, because there is no sight in the world sweeter than watching someone you love eat freely who was recently taught to be ashamed of it.